New England Patriots Midseason Rookie Report
Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots always have the mantra of taking it one week at a time. In their team-building approach, however, they look at the big picture.
As you dissect the seven rookies who are still on the Patriots roster, you can see that the 2014 NFL draft wasn't just about this season. It was about setting the Patriots up for continued long-term success.
Here is how those rookies have performed so far during their young careers.
Dominique Easley (DL, 1st Round)
1 of 7
Dominique Easley is still recovering from a devastating ACL tear suffered during his final year at Florida. The Patriots knew that any production this year from him would really be a bonus.
Due to some injuries along the defensive line—Sealver Siliga, Chris Jones and Chandler Jones have all missed time—Easley was rushed into the lineup. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he has averaged just under 25 snaps per game through Week 9.
He has made a couple of splash plays—an interception against the Minnesota Vikings and a sack against the Chicago Bears—but has been relatively silent rushing the passer. He has totaled seven pressures on over 150 rushes, which is not a great ratio to say the least.
As Easley's knee heals and his role is refined, look for his production to match his promise.
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, 2nd Round)
2 of 7
Patriots fans were first treated to the sight of Jimmy Garoppolo as the Kansas City Chiefs were laying down a beating on New England in Week 4. The rookie quarterback was perhaps the lone bright spot on the night, completing six of seven passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.
Thanks to Tom Brady's offensive outbursts over the last five weeks, Garoppolo has seen time in two additional games. He completed three of three passes against the Chicago Bears, raising his passer rating to a ridiculous 138.3.
Although he is showing off against second-team competition at times, the future could not look brighter at the quarterback position. Brady will probably keep him out of the spotlight for another year or two, though.
Bryan Stork (C, 4th Round)
3 of 7
It doesn't always look pretty, but Bryan Stork is getting the job done at center. Perhaps the most important aspect of him playing the pivot is allowing Ryan Wendell and Dan Connolly to man the guard spots and relegating Jordan Devey and Josh Kline to the bench.
Stork has had some "Welcome to the NFL" moments, including some silly penalties and a botched snap. That said, he has yet to give up a sack through 325 snaps per Pro Football Focus. He reminds us of Dan Koppen in that he is always working. He constantly helps his teammates in pass protection and plays through the whistle out in space.
As Stork continues to learn the system and adjust to the speed and power of NFL linemen, look for the Patriots offense to become even more dangerous.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
James White (RB, 4th Round)
4 of 7
Like the Garoppolo pick, James White was drafted for the future. Incumbent running backs Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Jonas Gray and Brandon Bolden all have their contracts up at the end of the year.
White has seen only limited action this year, logging just 27 snaps in two games according to Pro Football Focus. He has ran the ball nine times for a respectable 4.2 yards per carry. Former practice-squad player Gray has taken the majority of the snaps after Ridley went down with injury.
If Vereen and/or Bolden are not brought back in 2015, look for his role to expand greatly.
Cameron Fleming (OL, 4th Round)
5 of 7
Unlike Stork who was drafted to compete for a starting role, Cameron Fleming was selected with more of a backup role in mind. It was Fleming, however, who saw the field first for New England.
Before injuring his finger, Fleming saw time at tackle, guard and tight end. He logged 91 snaps during his first four games according to Pro Football Focus, giving up four pressures—including a sack—during his most extensive playing time in Kansas City.
As the offensive line has really started to play well in his absence, don't expect to see much of Fleming for the rest of 2014 unless injuries strike.
Zach Moore (DL, 6th Round)
6 of 7
Zach Moore was a project pick out of Division II Concordia. Nobody expected him to play right away, but he did earn some playing time in Weeks 6, 7 and 8, logging 49 snaps during the three-game stretch.
While it is a small sample size, Moore is rated as the second-best defensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus. Moore has pressured the quarterback four times on 33 rushes, including one sack against the Chicago Bears.
He certainly has made the transition from Division II to the NFL look seamless. He plays with leverage and seems to have made improvements in his strength profile within the Patriots' training program. Belichick may have found a diamond in the rough in Moore.
Malcolm Butler (CB, Undrafted)
7 of 7
Malcolm Butler joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent from the University of West Alabama, not your typical football powerhouse. He immediately turned heads in training camp with his physical play and knack for being around the ball.
Butler has been a game-plan play so far this season, with Belichick deploying him when he needs longer, more physical corners. Butler played well against the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos, sticking to some of the more talented receivers in the league.
As Alfonzo Dennard languishes on the inactive list and Butler thrives, his future looks brighter by the second.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
