BOSTON -- Outside of DeVante Parker at receiver, Malcolm Butler at cornerback, and maybe Jabrill Peppers at safety, the Patriots really didn't sign any more veteran players who are expected to play big roles on either side of the ball. That's led to some excitement -- or at least hope -- for some rapid growth in some young players who haven't yet been on the field in the NFL.
On defense, those honors belong to linebacker Cameron McGrone, a fifth-round pick out of Michigan in 2021 who sat out his rookie season due to a torn ACL from college.