Every NFL season comes with a new preseason darling, and this year it’s Bemidji State wide receiver Gunner Olszewski. Olsewski spent his collegiate tenure as a cornerback and entered camp as a long shot for a roster spot. However, the former cornerback has impressed throughout camp in all phases of the game and might earn one of the final spots on the roster. The 2019 Patriots are stacked, so finding an extra spot won’t be easy. That said, the Patriots could do it if they feel Gunner Olsewski brings enough value as a do-everything weapon.
Creating a Roster Space for Gunner Olszewski
Why Gunner Olszewski Deserves It
Let’s start this off by breaking down everything Olszewski brings to the team. Olszewski is a great story, but Bill Belichick doesn’t make roster moves based on sentimentality and feel-good endings. Olsewski has done enough in all facets of the game to justify sticking around on the roster.
Most of Olszewski’s value comes on special teams. The Patriots haven’t had a true punt returner in the past few seasons, but Olszewski looks ready for the job. While he hasn’t taken any kicks to the house, Olszewski looks explosive in both the kick and punt game. He has solid field vision and enviable acceleration. Nobody loves special teams more than Belichick, and asking Julian Edelman to stay as the primary punt returner is just asking for injury. Olszewski might not be as good a returner as Edelman, but the difference in talent will have a negligible effect on the game’s ending.
Additionally, Olszewski boasts an absurd amount of versatility. So far in the preseason, Olszewski has played wide receiver, running back, and cornerback over the four scrimmage games. If this versatility sounds familiar to you, it’s because Julian Edelman and Troy Brown did similar things for New England. This isn’t to say Olszewski is the next Julian Edelman, but he’s cut from the same cloth. Olszewski learned wide receiver on the fly and still managed to make a few nice plays in the preseason. His special teams prowess lets him contribute immediately, and his high athleticism gives hope that he might be yet another diamond in the rough.
Possible Cut #1: Rex Burkhead
Running back Rex Burkhead is on the majority of 53-man roster projections, and it’s not without cause. Burkhead is a solid player as both a runner and a receiver and is easily an NFL-caliber running back. However, he’s buried on the depth chart and doesn’t have a clear path to playing time.
The Patriots running back depth chart currently consists of Sony Michel, James White, Damien Harris, Brandon Bolden, and Burkhead. Michel and White are both clearly above Burkhead, while Harris is easily capable of being third on the depth chart. Brandon Bolden and his special teams savvy aren’t going anywhere, especially considering New England gave him $2 million in guaranteed money. This doesn’t even take James Develin into account, and the fullback won’t be losing his job any time soon. Carrying six running backs in today’s day and age is a luxury New England can afford to live without. Considering the circumstances, the Patriots are better off with Olszewski than Burkhead.
Possible Cut #2: Duke Dawson
Based on his play alone, Duke Dawson hasn’t earned a roster spot on the 2019 Patriots. However, his second-round draft pedigree could keep him around over a more worthy player like Olszewski. The Patriots are already loaded at cornerback with Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson, Jason McCourty, Jonathan Jones, and Joejuan Williams. Keion Crossen could also make the roster, meaning the Patriots would have to carry six or seven cornerbacks if they want to keep Dawson.
Cornerback depth is important, but keeping Dawson isn’t worth sacrificing other depth, especially when Olszewski can immediately contribute as a returner. Dawson was considered a reach in the 2018 NFL Draft, so there is a very real chance he could make it through to New England’s practice squad. This allows Olszewski to enter Week One as New England’s primary returner while carrying Dawson as emergency depth should injury strike.
Possible Cut #3: Jakobi Meyers
Cutting Jakobi Meyers for Gunner Olszewski would be shocking, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Meyers impressed throughout training camp and the offseason but doesn’t have a clear path to playing time. Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, and Demaryius Thomas are all healthy for the start of the year and Meyers isn’t leapfrogging any of those guys quite yet. Additionally, Meyers struggled against the first-team defense in Week Three, which suggests he still needs to work on the finer things before seeing a major role.
Olszewski can contribute earlier than Meyers can, but keeping Olszewski over Meyers is probably a bad move. While Dawson could probably make it through to the practice squad, somebody would probably put in a claim for Meyers. Good, cheap wide receivers are in short supply and another team like the Lions could easily stash him at the bottom of their depth chart.
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