Offensive line
ROSTER: David Andrews, Marcus Cannon, Cole Croston, Jamil Douglas, James Ferentz, Cameron Fleming, Tony Garcia, Andrew Jelks, Ted Karras, Jason King, Shaq Mason, Conor McDermott, Max Rich, Nate Solder, Joe Thuney, LaAdrian Waddle
SKINNY: After an up-and-down 2015 season, the offensive line found its groove last year and comes into this season as a stable and dependable unit. Cannon at right tackle is coming off an All-Pro season, and Solder on the other side remains steady. Andrews at center is one of the more underrated players at his position in the league, while Thuney at left guard is coming off a terrific rookie campaign. Mason at right guard made a nice leap from his rookie year to his second. So the starting five looks set, but depth may be a concern.
LOCKS: You'll likely see the same united start the opener against the Chiefs as the one that started vs. the Falcons in the Super Bowl — Solder, Thuney, Andrews, Mason and Cannon. Garcia, a third-round pick this year, is also safe. If he impresses, he could have a future at left tackle.
BUBBLE: The Pats will probably keep one other backup tackle, in addition to Garcia. Fleming has played the most, but the team drafted McDermott and may have plans for him if he impresses. Waddle is squarely on the bubble as he appeared in just two games last season. Karras likely makes it as the top interior backup, but it's no slam dunk.
LONGSHOTS: Croston, Douglas, Ferentz, Jelks, King and Rich face uphill climbs.
KEY STAT: The Pats allowed just 24 sacks in the 2016 regular season, good for fifth-fewest in the league.
ONE TO WATCH:
With the stable already pretty much established with the starters, it will be interesting to see just how Garcia adjusts to the pro game. In his senior year at Troy, he allowed zero sacks, and that includes going up against what was the best defensive line in the nation at Clemson. The 6-foot6, 302-pounder is extremely agile for his size with the type of body that suggests he could be a future blindside protector of Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo or whoever is under center by the time he potentially earns a starting role. For the time being, though, it bears watching if he can leapfrog someone like Fleming on the depth chart.