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Three Undrafted 2022 Patriots Free Agents To Watch

It’s time to look at three undrafted free agents to watch. Head coach Bill Belichick is u predictable and is a great roster manipulator. With, mini _camp a month away, it’s time to check out the undrafted players. In this post, we will review three payers undrafted that will battle for a roster spot.

Jake Julien/Punter/Eastern Michigan

Jake Julien is a player to watch. In, 2021, Patriots punter Jake Bailey had three punts blocked. Julien will give Bailey a run for his money. In fifty_four games, at Eastern Michigan, Julien made fifty_one punts. Seventy _one was inside the twenty_yard line.

With Bill Belichick always looking to upgrade, Bailey’s days are in jeopardy. Julien, a Canadien born in Ontario, was drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 Canadien Football League draft.

LaBryan Ray/DL/ Alabama

Injuries prevented LaBryan Ray from being drafted. In four_years with the Crimson Ray missed every season. Ray played in forty_four games, making thirty_seven solo tackles, and thirty-nine assisted tackles, His best season was in 2018, starting in fifteen games.

Ray has the size and frame that NFL coaches love. He specializes in the run and is a decent two _gap player. He fights off double _team coverage consistently. With time, he can contribute to the rotation. Staying healthy will factor in his success.

DeMarcus Mitchell/ Edge/ Purdue

The 6’3″ 265 pounder has great size and athleticism. Playing only in nine games his senior year, he made twenty_ five tackles. In his ultimate game against Tennessee, he recorded four solo tackles. Although he was not present at the combine, he had an exceptional workout in front of scouts at the Purdue Pro day. I look for Mitchell to start off on special teams, working his way into the rotation.

Conclusion

Focusing on offense, it will be interesting to see how the defense plays in 2022. Last season, they were one of the best in the AFC. With a lighter linebacking group, the team is emphasizing speed. As Mac Jones continues to develop, there is always a player undrafted player who makes a statement.

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Bruins Defense Needs To Tighten Up

Once again the Bruins have been stymied. The defense needs to tighten up. Carolina big man Sebastian Aho continues to expose the Bruins. Hurricanes goalie Antti Raanta left the game after a vicious collision with David Pastrnak. The Bruins continue to argue with the referees. In this post, we will review three areas the Bruins need to improve on.

History

Historically, the teams met four times since 2019. In 2019, the Bruins swept the Hurricanes. In 2020 the Bruins won in five games. This year is a different story. Carolina has shut out the Bruins through four periods.

Overall, the Hurricanes dominated the Bruins this year winning all three games. Scoring_ wise, the Bruins cannot score against the Hurricanes. The Canes were the best defensive team in the NHL in 2022. Also, they were the number one penalty kill team in the league.

If the Bruins want to even the series, they need scoring from all four lines. If the Bruins cannot find the net it will be an early exit.

Rejuvenate Brad Marchand

The second area is Brad Marchand needs to wake up. In _game one, Marchand earned a minus 3 in performance. He continues to fight with the referees and makes life easy for Carolina.

The Bruin’s top line is non_existent and the Hurricanes are outplaying the Bruins. The team only scored one goal in the three matches this season. If the Bruins intend to get going it starts with the Marchand line.

Stay With Linus Ullmark

Linus Ullmark does not have one playoff series under his belt. In _game one, the Bruins out shot the Hurricanes. Ullmark made 20 saves out of 24 shots. This is life in the post,_ Tuukka era. Backup Jeremy Swayman has not appeared in a playoff either.

The way Bruce Cassidy breaks up the lines, a goalie switch would not be shocking. Swayman earned the title of number one goaltender midway through the season. Putting Swayman under pressure could backfire on the Bruins. The only hope of a victory is a total team effort.

Conclusion

The scoring drought continues for the Bruins. With only three goals in six periods, the confidence is low. Head coach Bruce Cassidy has some decisions to make. This may be, Hall of Famer Patrice Bergeron’s last appearance in a Bruins uniform. Reshuffling Hampus Lindholm and Matt Grzelcyk are not enough.