In 2023, there are at least three New England Patriots players who will feel unique pressure to take the next step at their positions.
Even though the NFL is the world's premier professional gridiron football league, it takes time for its most talented athletes to develop into Hall of Fame legends. No Canton inductee entered the field as a finished product, as it often took years of playing at the professional level to become truly transcendental at football. Tom Brady absorbed knowledge during his rookie season, and Rob Gronkowski exploded after his rookie debut.
While young players do need time to develop, there's also a point by which players are expected to accelerate their development and take meaningful strides on the field. New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones beat out Cam Newton for the starting job in his rookie season, yet in an underwhelming sophomore season, reporters murmured about the possibility of a Bailey Zappe takeover. Elsewhere on offense and defense, other stars progressing through their rookie contracts need to exhibit major strides in 2023 in order to earn big follow-up contracts.
The Patriots have scouted significant talent through the last few drafts, but for the following three players, they'll need to amplify their playing potential and get the most out of these athletes in 2023.
3 New England Patriots who have to take the next step this season
3. Tyquan Thornton, WR
Tyquan Thornton featured prominently in New England's gameplan in 2022, but the second-round wide receiver didn't feature prominently enough given his measurables. Thornton impressed in camp last year when onlookers in New England witnessed his speed and agility firsthand, but his numbers during his rookie season weren't as spectacular.
Thornton started in nine of 13 games and caught 22 of 45 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. Averaging a decent 11.2 yards per reception, Thornton's meager catch rate of 48.9 percent offers him an opportunity to develop in the upcoming season.
Previously, Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien led the Patriots' offense in 2011, later leading the Houston Texans offense as well as the Alabama Crimson Tide. O'Brien was able to spotlight the talent of deep-threat receivers such as DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller V and Jameson Williams, and while O'Brien is a proponent of two-tight end sets, he should also be capable of devising a gameplan utilizing Thornton more effectively.
So far, Thornton has looked promising at camp this summer under O'Brien's tutelage, and Thornton's former coach at Baylor believes that Thornton is "pumped up" about having a coordinator that will "put him in positions to succeed."
"I'm sure that falls right into Tyquan's wheelhouse," said Chansi Stuckey, Thornton's receivers coach at Baylor. "I'm sure he's excited about being used and getting opportunities to be used to his skillset."
2. Christian Barmore, DL
Tyquan Thornton isn't the only recent second-round pick who is expected to take the next step in 2023. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore was drafted with the No. 38 overall pick in 2021, and while he hasn't fulfilled high draft hopes yet, there are good reasons for that.
Barmore participated in all 17 games of his rookie season, starting in two of them. Throughout the year, he recorded 46 total tackles, three tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks and two passes defended. In 2022, Barmore followed up his rookie campaign with three starts through 10 games, recording 23 total tackles, two tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks and one pass defended. It was a more explosive season for Barmore when he did play, but unfortunately, Barmore missed seven games throughout the season due to knee inflammation.
According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, Barmore's injury was a "major factor in him not making the projected jump from promising rookie to budding superstar." Yet Barmore was grinding at offseason workouts in Gilette Stadium back in early February, a testament to the season he's determined to have in Year 3.
Reiss shared astute observations made by Richard Seymour, a Patriots legend adept at evaluating player strengths. "He has all the tools: big, strong, explosive," Seymour said. "He [also] has good versatility for any scheme. Quick off the snap and difficult to cut off in the run game. Plays with a lot of effort and toughness. If he continues down this path, he could be a premier defensive lineman for years to come."
Barring injury or any other unforeseen circumstances, Barmore is well on his way to joining Matt Judon and Marcus Jones as a potential Pro Bowl or All-Pro star.
1. Mac Jones, QB
While Thornton and Barmore are trending towards positive developments, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones saw an unnerving 2022 season that caused analysts to question his rookie success. Jones' regression is primarily linked to juggling the quarterback role under Matt Patricia and Joe Judge, and so far in Patriots minicamp, Jones appears to be back on track as far as his development goes.
Jones is building a promising connection with newly-acquired tight end Mike Gesicki, and if O'Brien's 2011 offense is any indication, this could be the key in unlocking the Patriots offense in 2023. Still, Jones ranks at No. 24 among all 32 NFL quarterbacks, according to SI/FanNation's Tim Kelly, which is an egregiously low rating considering what Jones accomplished in 2021 as a Pro Bowler who made the PFWA All-Rookie team and led his 10-7 team to the playoffs.
No one in New England is satisfied with their 8-9 losing record last season, but the win total can't be reduced to ineptitude on Jones' part. He's a young quarterback who faltered in a system that didn't put him in the optimal position to succeed, and he clearly possesses the tools to become New England's franchise quarterback of the future. Otherwise, Bill Belichick would cut his losses and move on, as he has done repeatedly over the past few decades.
The growth of Jones is critical both for the Patriots' immediate success as well as Jones' own future in the NFL. This year, Jones will ideally be able to prove that he's worth the investment as he demonstrates the growth evident in every great quarterback.