We selected 2010 as a result of it was the beginning of Woodhead’s breakout. The Patriots shipped off Laurence Maroney early within the season, and picked up Woodhead as a heat physique to fill in as they discovered an actual contributor within the backfield. What they didn’t know was that it will be Woodhead who stepped into that position, ending his first full season with 547 dashing yards and 5 dashing touchdowns to go together with a really respectable 379 yards and one landing on 34 receptions out of the backfield. He was a lot better in 2012, however this was the beginning of Woodhead-mania.
2011 – DL Mark Anderson
You keep in mind Mark Anderson, however did you do not forget that he posted a double-digit sack season as a seldom-used go rusher on a group that made a Tremendous Bowl look?
Positive, that protection was completely horrendous and the lone motive New England didn’t win Tremendous Bowl XLVI. Anderson was one among its higher gamers, nevertheless, posting 10.0 sacks, 16 QB hits, 9.0 tackles for loss and two pressured fumbles in his lone season as a Patriots. He additionally had 1.5 sacks in that Tremendous Bowl. Not dangerous for a man who made $1.375 million that season. You additionally won’t be shocked to study that his 2010 season led to a four-year, $27.5 million contract from the Buffalo Payments that might be terminated after one yr.
2012 – DL Trevor Scott
No, not the man from Grand Theft Auto V.
Trevor Scott was a journeyman edge rusher who discovered a house in New England in 2012, recording 3.0 sacks and 5 QB hits in 14 video games. Was this entry boring? Good, so had been the 2012 Patriots.
2013 – WR Kenbrell Thompkins
Unicorns! Present ponies! The place’s the meat?!
In case you’re a Patriots fan over the age of 15 you realize about Scott Zolak’s well-known name from a random Week 6 matchup with the New Orleans Saints. Why is that? Kenbrell Thompkins was on the receiving finish of the landing go that capped off Brady’s biggest regular-season comeback drive ever, that’s why. Thompkins posted 32 catches for 466 yards and 4 touchdowns on a receiving corps that included the likes of Austin Collie, Josh Boyce and Aaron Dobson, but in addition Rob Gronkowski for a half season, Julian Edelman in his breakout marketing campaign and a newly-signed Danny Amendola. He’ll by no means get sufficient credit score.
2014 – LB Akeem Ayers
The Patriots have made loads of mid-season decide ups to bolster championship rosters, however Akeem Ayers could be probably the most enjoyable.
Ayers walked onto a 2014 protection that was stuffed with Professional Bowl caliber gamers (Vince Wilfork, Chandler Jones, Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Darrelle Revis, Devin McCourty, and so forth.) and instantly made and impression, recording a sack in every of his first two video games. Ayers recorded 4.0 sacks, 6.0 tackles for loss, six QB hits and an interception in 12 video games with the Patriots, together with the postseason.
2015 – DT Akiem Hicks
Akiem Hicks is the one which acquired away.
In what was maybe the perfect one-season stint in Patriots historical past (remind us to write down that checklist), Hicks arrived three weeks into the yr by way of a commerce with the New Orleans Saints. He instantly turned a top-shelf rotational piece, recording 3.0 sacks, 5.0 tackles for loss and 7 QB hits in 13 video games. He acquired a pleasant little contract from the Chicago Bears within the offseason, turning into a Professional Bowler simply two years later.
2016 – WR Chris Hogan
Do you know Chris Hogan performed school lacrosse?
In fact you probably did, as that’s what each single broadcast identified after his first catch of every sport he performed in a Patriots uniform. He performed lots of them too, suiting up for New England on 49 separate events over the course of three seasons. It began in 2016, after Hogan signed a three-year take care of the Patriots and instantly led the NFL in yards per catch with 17.9. The ex-lax participant caught 38 balls for 680 yards and 4 touchdowns on that Tremendous Bowl successful group, serving as one among Brady’s ultimate true deep threats.
2017 – LB Marquis Flowers
You already know what they are saying about Invoice Belichick and versatile linebackers. He likes them.
Flowers performed only one season in New England, lining up on the ball, off the ball and on a number of particular groups items. He completed that season with 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss and 4 QB hits. That 2017 group had lots of misfits, however Flowers caught round all season so he makes the checklist.
2018 – WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson
It isn’t a stretch to say Cordarrelle Patterson was beloved by Patriots followers throughout his lone season.
It’s straightforward to see why, as he did slightly little bit of all the pieces. Patterson had 21 catches for 247 yards and three touchdowns, 42 rushes for 228 yards and one landing and averaged 28.8 yards per kick return — housing one in opposition to Chicago. He was an amazing participant and an enormous half in serving to the Patriots safe their sixth Tremendous Bowl title. The truth that it was just one yr, although, is what lands him right here. It most likely ought to have been an extended run.
2019 – LB Elandon Roberts
Brady’s ultimate season was type of a catastrophe. The Patriots acquired bounced within the wild card spherical, and although they weren’t anticipated to win a title that yr, it was positively not a enjoyable season.
Elandon Roberts was tremendous enjoyable, although. After spending his first three seasons of his profession as a particular teamer and a spot starter at linebacker, Roberts was used to do nearly all the pieces in 2019. He made 29 tackles and pitched in 1.0 sack with three QB hits on protection, but in addition was shuffled in as an emergency fullback on offense, catching the funniest landing in latest Patriots reminiscence.
In a season that stunk, Roberts introduced the juice and ended Brady’s (underrated teammates) profession with a bang.