The New England Patriots currently sit last in the AFC East with a 3-10 record on the season. There have been growing pains throughout the year, as the team enters the final four-game stretch of the 2024 campaign.
The Patriots have many new faces on the team, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. It’s a roster with a lot to prove as the team continues building for the future. There have been glimpses of what the team could look like down the road with several players being thrust into roles they’ve thrived in this year.
Others could use these final few games to show their development. There is still a lot to play for in New England. As the season comes to a close, let’s take a look at four players on the team with the most to prove.
WR Ja’Lynn Polk
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Rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk has been under a microscope ever since he was drafted by the Patriots in the second round. He has struggled this season to the point where he was ranked as the worst receiver in the NFL statistically.
The Washington product has 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns on the season. He has struggled to find a role on offense, and he has the most to prove heading into the final few games of the season. The last thing Patriots fans want is to see him added to the lengthy list of Patriots receiver draft picks who couldn’t make the cut.
LB Christian Elliss
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The linebacker unit needed someone to step up with the season-ending injury to Ja’Whaun Bentley in September. Christian Elliss has been able to help add productive depth to the room.
He initially had a minimal role when joining the team in 2023. However, he has seen his role increase over the season. He has 50 tackles, a sack-and-a-half, three past deflections and a forced fumble.
Elliss has a chance to prove he can be a staple on the linebacker unit for the foreseeable future. He has taken advantage of the opportunity presented to him and has stood out on a struggling defensive unit.
C Ben Brown
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The center depth for the Patriots was tested when sturdy veteran David Andrews went down with a torn rotator cuff against the San Francisco 49ers in October.
Ben Brown was signed off the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad by the Patriots a little more than a week later. He started in Week 6 against the Houston Texans and has started every game since.
Center depth was a problem during the preseason. It looked as though the team had no options at the position beyond Andrews. However, Brown has stepped in and shown flashes of solid performances at times. He has a chance to prove that he can be a viable backup option in the future for New England.
G Layden Robinson
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The offensive line is being built for the future, and rookie offensive guard Layden Robinson is a big part of that. He has played in nine games this season and started in seven of them. Coach Jerod Mayo praised Robinson following the Week 13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Mayo likes his progress, and there are reasons for Patriots fans to be optimistic.
He was most recently benched at the beginning of November but has since been able to rebound on the field. The Patriots need consistency on the offensive line, and Robinson has had some growing pains this season.
Nevertheless, he has also shown promise, and he’ll need to lean on that to build even more confidence down the stretch.
