3 under-the-radar players to watch for on offense

New England Patriots training camp is almost here, which means that we are finally going to start to see which new additions to New England’s roster are going to stand out amongst their peers. There have already been some notable storylines from the team’s mandatory minicamp this Spring (including receiver Tre Nixon), and as the summer progresses more news will emerge of new players competing for and earning starting positions.

Although they have a number of players who seem destined to be featured heavily in the offense, the Patriots have others who are currently lesser-known but could make a significant impact on the offense.

Let’s take a look at three players that could make notable offensive contributions to the team this upcoming season.

1
Running Back Pierre Strong

I mentioned Strong in a previous article about James White’s position being unsecured, and I think given White’s injury history and age it is not too far-fetched to see Strong taking over the passing back position from White midseason. Strong, a 5-foot-11 rookie out of South Dakota State, possesses both blazing speed and great pass-catching ability that New England could pair well with the power running abilities of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson. Although rookie running backs rarely make a significant impact on the Patriots’ offense, Stevenson did garner significant playing time last season even though he had trouble in pass protection, so it is a possibility that Strong could have a fairly substantial role on the offense this season even given his rookie status.

2
Wide Receiver / Running Back Ty Montgomery

Montgomery likely isn’t going to be a massive weapon for second-year quarterback Mac Jones, but his positional versatility will allow him to motion in and out of the backfield with ease. This pre-snap motion could be vital in exposing the defensive coverage scheme, making it easier for Jones to find the open receiver. Moreover, Montgomery’s experience at both the running back and receiver positions not only give him pass protection skills at both levels but also allow him to potentially become a matchup nightmare for defenses. For instance, when lined up in the backfield, Montgomery will likely be shadowed in man coverage by a linebacker, giving him the offensive advantage in terms of speed and agility. Although he joins crowded wide receiver and…