The New England Patriots are coming into the 2015 season with many questions after the Tom Brady suspension, but based on the draft they should be in good shape, as Bill Belichick added a number of talented players, including Malcolm Brown, who could help replace Vince Wilfork and this comes as players like Flowers, Jordan Richards, Geneo Grissom and Darryl Roberts could push for playing time.
The Patriots did not bring back Wilfork and now they have a major void in the defense, but Brown could fill it. According to the Boston Globe, Brown should get the chance to start for the Patriots, as he comes out of the draft with good size for his position. Brown put up very good combine numbers and now he will be the main defensive tackle for Bill Belichick if he proves himself in training camp.
Brown has the numbers after putting up 29 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles with the Texas Longhorns and he also had a 5.05 40-yard dash at the combine. The Patriots have Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, and Jabaal Sheard coming back and they all will be in the main rotation, but Brown should push to get playing time. The Patriots want to generate a better pass rush and that could give Flowers the chance to get things going. Richards comes in out of Stanford and the safety also should get a look from the Pats in camp.
The Patriots are also dealing with the Tom Brady suspension and Deflategate scandal and the NFL released the punishments this past week. The Patriots were docked two draft picks and fined $1 million and Brady was suspended four games, but he is appealing. There is a chance that Brady could get the suspension reduced or overturned on appeal, but as it stands now he will be out for four games. There is precedent for players getting games knocked off of their suspensions and if that happens, Jimmy Garoppolo or someone else will have to start for Brady.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Patriots could bring in a free agent quarterback to backup Garoppolo or to be a spot starter for the team. Brady Quinn and Matt Flynn were mentioned as options, while Matt Barkley could be a fit if he is released by the Eagles. Garoppolo threw 27 passes last season and completed 19 for 182 yards and one touchdown. Garoppolo was very impressive at Eastern Illinois, passing for 5,050 yards and 53 touchdowns in 2013 and putting up over 100 in his career at the school.
