July 19, 2008

More from PFW • Patriots worried about QB depth but not enough to add veteran, 8/20/2008 6:47:34 PM • PFW examines Hall of Fame prospects for NFL head coaches past and present, 8/20/2008 12:32:00 PM • PFW looks at the best to play each spot in the 3-4 defense, 8/20/2008 12:32:00 PM • PFW's Super 50: Our list of the top 50 players of 2007, 8/20/2008 12:32:00 PM • Top 10 stories of 2007 NFL season, 8/20/2008 12:32:00 PM Related Topics • New England Patriots • National Football League • American Football Conference • AFC East Division • Terrence Wheatley • Jerod Mayo • Jonathan Wilhite • Brandon Meriweather

Unlike the case in 2007, the Patriots are counting on members of their rookie class to make an immediate impact on the field. Specifically, they’re harboring high expectations for first-round ILB Jerod Mayo, second-round CB Terrence Wheatley and fourth-round CB Jonathan Wilhite. All are expected to compete for serious playing time, and likely a starting job, from Day One. This comes as a complete reversal from what the Pats had anticipated from their previous rookie class. With such a veteran and talented roster already in place, the ’07 draftees faced long odds of becoming valued members of the club. The fact that just one of their nine draftees from a year ago, first-round DB Brandon Meriweather, is still on the team is only a mild surprise.