Patriots fans know their team’s strengths and weaknesses entering training camp.
They saw many of those weaknesses during an abysmal four-win season in 2023, and have taken note of New England’s offseason signings and additions through the draft.
It’s prompted countless fans — more than 100 commented on NESN’s Facebook and Instagram channels — to make predictions on which players could serves as “surprise” cuts after training camp.
Undoubtedly the most popular name was Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who enters training camp after an underwhelming debut campaign in New England. Given the fact the Patriots have a dozen receivers battling for some six or seven spots, Smith-Schuster’s roster spot is up in the air.
“Juju bye bye,” haydeneaton38 commented on NESN’s Instagram.
Tyquan Thornton, a second-round pick by the Patriots in 2022, also was a popular choice among fans. Thornton, similar to Smith-Schuster, figures to be behind Demario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne and K.J. Osborn on the list receivers the Patriots will keep.
Other “surprise” cut candidates included 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange and kicker Chad Ryland, who returns for his sophomore campaign after a disappointing rookie season.
Thomas Michael commented on Facebook: “Cole Strange. Can’t get on the field, this regime didn’t draft him and they drafted Layden Robinson in the 4th, who I think can be a Shaq Mason clone.”
Jerod Bulin wrote on Facebook: “I wouldn’t mind them cutting Chad Ryland.”
The Patriots begin training camp on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday while New England fans likely will have to wait until late August to see if their predictions were correct.
