Brent Schwartz
@brentschwartz
Partnerships, data in sports tech & media | Patriots 🏈 + NFL analysis Long live the 3-4 defense, two-gappers and fullbacks
Bumping since this is how I still see the #Patriots utilizing Romeo Doubs in 3-WR sets. This gun 'Troy' formation is a Josh McDaniels staple. Like Jakobi Meyers below, Doubs profiles similarly as a 'F' (flanker) who wins at the catch point (fades) and on in/out breaking routes.
The '06 #Patriots also had another Florida WR in Chad Jackson, whom they drafted that spring in the 2nd round. Jackson had no overlap with Caldwell and Gaffney at Florida, but he did spend a season with Kight as teammates in Gainesville.
Cool #Patriots nugget – 2001 Rex Grossman (Florida) and 2006 Tom Brady each had Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell (RIP) as their top two WRs down the stretch of their respective seasons. Both WRs were '02 2nd Rd picks. WR Kelvin Kight was also on both this '01 Gators team and the '06 Pats.
Josh McDaniels with three former #Patriots in Maroney, Graham, Gaffney in DEN ('10). Lloyd he brought to the Rams the next season, then to the Patriots after that. He also brought Larsen to NE in '12, as well as Amendola/Hoomanawanui/Greg Salas (+ Lloyd) after '11 Rams stint.
The #Patriots leaning heavily on Gun 'Y-Off' and 'Y-Flex' variants of their 'Clover' formation on their game-winning drive vs Cowboys here in 2011: X - Branch Z (move/slot) - Welker Y - Gronk F (flanker) - Hernandez
Went to #Patriots camp yesterday. Here’s a look at the ‘Troy’ formation. A little hard to see, but you can zoom in to catch Doubs as the ‘F’ (flanker in 3-WR sets). 11p starting unit yesterday was: X (split-end): AJ Brown F (flanker): Romeo Doubs Z (slot): Pop Douglas
McDaniels using Jakobi Meyers as a boundary X in a 3x1 alignment, allowing Davante Adams to leave his X post. Bookmark this for Romeo Doubs, who had the second-most TDs (4) in isolation in '25, per NFL Next Gen Stats. He was great in the red zone. Can see McDaniels using him similarly.
Josh McDaniels flanker deployment in 3-WR sets ('F' role in #Patriots playbook) is often times an on-the-line receiver role close to the formation. Some examples with Jakobi Meyers and Mack Hollins here at LV. There's some role overlap with Romeo Doubs time as a condensed X at GB
A #Patriots deployment comp for Romeo Doubs is '23 Raiders Jakobi Meyers. Similar body types/skillsets. McDaniels used Meyers less in the slot at LV vs at NE in '20-'21. Meyers played mostly on the outside, often times as a flanker condensed to the formation ('F') like below
Most formations have an X + Z. The 'F' of course, can be anything – fullback, H-back, 'move' TE, receiver... For NE, the 'F' in 11P is often the flanker, but can be more. Examples of Hollins (wingback) and Cordarrelle Patterson (Joker/gadget) below. Hernandez had many roles at F.
According to the available Weis/McDaniels #Patriots playbooks online, NE actually classifies the 'Z' as the slot WR in most 3-WR sets (non-empty), and the 'F' as the flanker. Some examples of their 'Troy'/'Tulsa' formations here. Edelman ('18), Bourne ('21) & Hollins ('25) F reps
My favorite photo from #Patriots OTAs thus far is the below from fullback Reggie Gilliam's IG story. I can't wait for I-formation and other 21 personnel looks on early downs with him in the lineup.
Here's a 'TE Wham' concept out of the same formation (w/ same Gronk pre-snap motion) from earlier in that 2018 season
The #Patriots have long majored in gap/man runs under McDaniels, but they've always used outside zone/stretch as a changeup, even dating back to the Corey Dillon/Laurence Maroney days. OZ rep here w/ Sony Michel in '18. And you can see the vision with Julian Hill blocking in Gronk's alignment.
In my mock drafts, I kept linking Seattle to Zion Young due to Mike Macdonald’s Baltimore roots and the Ravens affinity for edge rushers with size/length and power. Turns out, Young goes to Baltimore. Don’t mind me over here. Just doing scheme fits.
Final mock - Flipping back to Reese for NYJ - One trade involving ARZ moving up w/ SEA at No. 32 for Ty Simpson - NE opts for Lawrence over pure 'LEO' in Howell - SEA goes Zion Young in R2. Long/physical Ravens-style edge for Macdonald. Eventual DeMarcus Lawrence replacement
I like this nugget from Tony Pauline's mock draft on Sonny Styles and the value of an athletic Mike LB www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-n...
edge rusher thoughts for #Patriots: - Akheem Mesidor at No. 31 if he slips? Plug-and-play + NE's Miami ties (Wolf, Highsmith) - If NE lands speed rusher in R1/R2, wonder if they'd inquire on Jadeveon Clowney as an early-down left-side edge setter. Played under Vrabel in HOU/TEN
Rhamondre Stevenson ranked 1st out of 48 qualifying RBs last season in Rushing Yards Over Expected per carry (+1.4), per Next Gen Stats He was also 4th in % of runs coming inside the tackles (62.3%) Reggie Gilliam, Alijah Vera-Tucker additions should boost power running game