Checking in on New England Patriots' Biggest Project Players

There's a delicate balance to building an NFL roster. On one hand, a team needs players who are good at what they do and can be counted upon to make an impact almost every time they are on the field.

On the other hand, those teams also need to be ready with a solid backup in the event of an injury. And let's pretend you have three hands for a second, because on the other other hand, it's always a good idea to keep around some project players with high upside but who need time to develop.

Those are project players.

The New England Patriots are always looking for such players, as evidenced by their draft selections this season. Sure, some players like defensive tackle Malcom Brown will contribute from the beginning, but others like hybrid defender Geneo Grissom will need some polish before they're ready for the NFL.

For purposes of this slideshow, we'll consider project players as any (or a combination) of the following: 

• Rookies with raw physical upside
• Practice-squad players who have yet to make a major impact on the roster
• Second- or third-year players who are still honing their craft

Let's get right into it with a look at the Patriots' biggest projects.

Darryl Roberts

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With so many question marks at cornerback, the Patriots decided to...add another question mark.

Sure, a seventh-round pick for Marshall cornerback Darryl Roberts is not an exorbitant or steep price to pay for a player with as much upside as Roberts possesses. But make no mistake: He is definitely a project. 

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein summarizes the areas Roberts needs to improve if he's going to make an impact in the NFL, as well as the pros and cons of Roberts' game:

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Will get crossed up in coverage and needs to play with better discipline and overall awareness, but his length and recovery speed allow him to challenge more throws than some of the cornerbacks who will be drafted ahead of him. He could use more time in the weight room, but has the overall size and speed to project as an eventual starting cornerback if his game develops and he takes coaching over the next couple of seasons.

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Roberts is currently embroiled in a deep competition for roster spots at cornerback, but he could just as easily land on the practice squad if all else fails. That would give him a year or two to build some muscle on his 6'0", 182-pound frame, master his technique, hone his craft and learn the Patriots' scheme. 

Zach Moore

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The Patriots drafted Concordia defensive lineman Zach Moore in the sixth round in 2014 in hopes of helping him reach his massive potential. At 6'5" and 269 pounds with 33 ¾" arms, according to NFL.com, it's safe to say he has plenty of it. 

After you take a look at his scouting report from Nolan Nawrocki, it's no mystery what drew the Patriots to select him. Not only does he have the potential to line up at multiple spots, but he has a lot of physical gifts that make him enticing to an NFL team:

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Raw, physically gifted, Division II standout with untapped potential given his combination of size, length and movement skills. Will have defensive line coaches drooling in workouts, and has the dimensions and athleticism to warrant consideration as a draftable, developmental investment with positional versatility to play defensive end or three-technique in an even front or five-technique in an odd front. Could be tried as a linebacker.

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Per Pro Football Focus, Moore played 96 snaps in 2014, logging four quarterback hurries and one sack in the process. He might have a bigger hill to climb this offseason, though, as he faces stiff competition in the front seven with four new rookies and a new veteran in the mix for snaps. 

Geneo Grissom

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A weaker coverage unit necessitates a stronger pass rush. The Patriots lost Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner to free agency, so their renewed focus on bolstering the front seven should come as a shock to no one. 

Oklahoma defender Geneo Grissom was one of three potential defensive end/outside linebacker prospects the Patriots added to the fold in the draft. Though the term "defender" is inherently vague, its use here is essential to emphasizing the significant question marks that surround Grissom's future NFL positional designation. CBS Sports' Rob Rang offers some thoughts on why those questions exist:

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Few prospects look better walking off the bus than Grissom, a physically imposing player whose length, speed and power earned him time at tight end, defensive end and outside linebacker during his time at Oklahoma.

Unfortunately, due to constant position changes and a sprained MCL in 2014, Grissom never fully reached his potential with the Sooners ... he boasts many of the traits that project well at the next level, which could make him a surprisingly valued commodity come draft day. Grissom is clearly a work in progress. Once he locates the ball, however, Grissom accelerates quickly and arrives with a pop. A team willing to gamble on his upside could be handsomely rewarded.

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Grissom will be engaged in a deep battle among edge defenders that includes Jabaal Sheard, Zach Moore, Trey Flowers, Xzavier Dickson and others. As a third-round pick in 2015, there's a good chance he makes the final roster. At that point, though, the Patriots will have to decide what to do with him.

Shaq Mason

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A lot of times, project players possess the physical gifts but lack the technique or the mental acumen to execute in the NFL right away. Georgia Tech offensive lineman Shaq Mason, however, is a mix of both ends of the spectrum.

He's a smart player with good technique in some areas and rough technique in other areas, and he possesses some of the physical gifts he'll need, but he lacks in some important areas from a physical standpoint.

At 6'1" and 300 pounds, Mason does not have the ideal length or size for an interior offensive lineman in the NFL, but that doesn't mean he can't hold his own, according to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein:

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Powerful player with an ability to drive defenders off their spot with leg drive and then torque and finish with strong hands and upper body. Lack of height and arm length could hurt his draft standing a little bit, but his elite power trait as run blocker and solid pass-protection technique make him a future starter at right guard in the NFL.

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The Patriots can't make Mason any longer than he is, even if he hangs from the monkey bars for days on end. All he can do is work on his technique, become more proficient in pass protection and learn the playbook—the latter of which he's already doing, thanks to some help from fellow rookie guard Tre' Jackson. 

"We both just throw random things at each other," Mason said at OTAs on Friday. "That goes into getting into the playbook and learning it all."

Give him at least one season as a backup, and he could be ready to step into a bigger role down the line.

Jordan Richards

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The Patriots have grown an affinity for spending high draft picks on obscure players over the past several years, and their penchant pertains particularly to the strong safety position. 

This year's prospect of choice was Stanford's Jordan Richards, who is widely regarded as a smart player (lovingly called "Coach Richards" by his teammates) but lacks some of the physical gifts necessary to be a versatile defensive back who can play either free safety or strong safety. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein describes him as such:

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A limited, run-support safety whose coverage issues could be an issue for NFL teams looking for diverse safety play. He's a willing tackler who plays with range in run support, but Richards' lack of instincts and ability to stick receivers in space could limit his NFL opportunities.

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Between Patrick Chung, Tavon Wilson and Duron Harmon, the Patriots already had a bit of a logjam at strong safety. There's a good chance someone will be pushed out, and there's an even better chance it won't be Richards, who offers some utility right away even if he'll need some time to hone the breadth of his skill set. 

Unless otherwise noted, quotes obtained firsthand.