The Patriots could have as many as 8-10 new faces out there when they open in Seattle, a turnover that would reshape a starting group first seen in Super Bowl LX. A.J. Brown is among the names being watched for that opening-day mix, along with Romeo Doubs, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Eli Raridon, Elijah Ponder, Christian Elliss, Dre’Mont Jones and Kevin Byard.
That is why Aj Brown Stats is being searched now: the opener is no longer about whether the Patriots will change, but how much. The Seahawks also figure to show a few new offensive looks, with Jadarian Price expected at running back in place of departed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker and Nick Emmanwori’s status unsettled after offseason ankle surgery.
The Patriots have been building toward this for weeks, and the details explain why the change could be so wide. Christian Barmore and Cory Durden spent the summer talking about pushing their sack totals higher, while Elijah Ponder flashed on the edge last year with four sacks and Gabe Jacas has settled in mostly as a special teamer. Harold Landry is still not playing, which leaves the edge-rusher room thin even before the opener gets here.
That is the part that complicates the clean roster story. The Patriots can talk about turnover and fresh starters, but they still may need help, and the possibility of looking over the remainder bin for an available veteran has not gone away. Joey Bosa and Haason Reddick were mentioned as names that could fit that search, while Kevin Byard was held up as the kind of veteran safety signing the team likes and Morgan Moses was cited in the same vein.
Corey Kiner fits the same pattern from a different angle. The Patriots brought in four players to audition for the third running back job, and none made the grade, so the deal for Kiner — a seventh-round draft pick — was shaped by a battle that never produced a clear answer. If the opener in Seattle brings the roster churn that now seems likely, Kiner is part of the reason the Patriots are carrying a new look before a snap is played.
