Elise Amendola / Associated Press
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said Friday that NFL rookies are in “deep water” as they try to prepare for the 2020 season after offseason team activities were moved to a virtual division and the press season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Turbulent water,” Belichick said told reporters. “And it’s going to get rougher.”
The Patriots welcomed an April 10 class of 10 players, led by a few second-round picks in safety Kyle Dugger and linebacker Josh Uche, and they also tekene 15 players as undrafted free agents.
Earning a key on the Pats’ last roster could hardly prove to be the chosen prospects in the later rounds and the signings after drafting with such a limited chance of proving themselves.
Deep players typically see extensive playing time throughout the entire exhibition schedule, especially in the first and final games when the snaps of starters are limited or non-existent.
Belichick explained that he has already begun to see progress from the incoming players, but that next week up to 10 days will determine how close each rookie is to making a real NFL impact.
“I think they’re just trying to keep their heads above water and swim or paddle in the right direction, knowing they are not really able to stop, but they are doing the best they can,” he said. he said. “They’re gone, far ahead of where they were a week ago, two weeks ago, a month ago, two months ago. A lot of progress there, but a long way to go.”
The Patriots are in a period of transition to several offseason high-profile departures, including longtime quarterback Tom Brady along with defenders Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Danny Shelton.
How many of the team’s young players are ready to step in to fill that crucial gap is New England’s key question in the coming weeks. Most notably, second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham is the heir apparent that Brady looks like the Pats will opt for veteran Cam Newton under center instead.
New England is scheduled to kick off the regular season on September 13 when it hosts AFC East rival Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium.
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