With The First Pick
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NFL Preseason Week 1 Storylines

By Jon Dove

Jul 31, 2016; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass at training camp at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass at training camp at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 30, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Is Jimmy Garoppolo ready to lead the New England Patriots?

The New England Patriots will be without Tom Brady for the first 4 games of the season. His suspension has been a major story for the past two years, but now there’s an end in sight. The focus now shifts to Jimmy Garoppolo who will be asked to keep things afloat for the first 4 games.

Garoppolo is a talented individual who is still a work in progress. This is going to be his first taste of significant NFL action and there’s just no telling how things will work out. The Patriots rely heavily on Brady to make their offense work and things look less promising without him in the lineup.

New England doesn’t have elite talent at the wide receiver position with players like Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola as the top options. Both have their strong suits but neither have the size to help a quarterback overcome some accuracy issues.

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This means that Garoppolo is likely to heavily rely on tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett. These are two large targets capable of adjusting to poorly thrown balls. Garoppolo also doesn’t have a consistent running game to lean on. The Patriots have an odd running back rotation that changes significantly from week to week.

Garoppolo is going to go through some ups and downs with everything getting started this weekend.

Next: Broncos Quarterback Situation

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