The New England Patriots know the importance of depth: the team currently has 11 players listed on its injury report White Jason McCourty Jerseys , while 12 more are currently on an injury-related reserve list. Save to say that having players available to step up when needed is one of the most important parts of building an NFL roster. It is therefore no surprise to see the Patriots work out free agents every now and then to update their files and have them as potential emergency call-ups.Recently, New England brought in four players (via ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss):DE Tank CarradineA second-round draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers, Cornelllius “Tank” Carradine appeared in 45 games over the course of his five-year career. Playing as a rotational edge defender and part-time special teamer, the Florida State product registered a combined 5.5 sacks and 77 tackles since 2013. This offseason, and coming off a season in which he missed nine games due to an ankle injury, Carradine left San Francisco to sign with the Oakland Raiders. However, he was let go by the team at his own request two weeks ago.DB A.J. HowardDespite being a three year starter at Appalachian State, strong safety A.J. Howard did not hear his name called during this year’s draft. Instead, he joined the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted rookie. However, the part-time defender, part-time special teamer failed to crack the team’s 53-man roster and instead was let go during roster cuts. Howard could be an intriguing developmental option due to his versatility and experience when going one-on-one against tight ends.LB Corey NelsonCorey Nelson entered the league as a seventh round draft pick by the Denver Broncos in 2014. Primarily used in the kicking game Jason McCourty Jerseys 2019 , the Oklahoma product appeared in 57 games for the team. After spending most of 2017 on injured reserve due to a torn biceps, Nelson left Denver to join the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent. However, he failed to make the team and was instead picked up by the Atlanta Falcons. After appearing in one game for Atlanta, Nelson was let go again.LB Tegray ScalesAnother undrafted rookie, Tegray Scales joined the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent this offseason. Like the aforementioned Howard, however, he failed to crack the team’s roster and instead was released during cutdowns. The 6’0, 230 lbs linebacker, who was named All-Big Ten during his 2017 senior season at Illinois, may lack the desired size to work on an every down basis, but he comes with solid instincts and could develop into a special teams presence if given the time.While New England’s linebackers looked very solid in stretches over the last three weeks White Adrian Clayborn Jerseys , the team could benefit from having more depth available behind its top three (Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts). Ever since impressive rookie Ja’Whaun Bentley was placed on injured reserve after week three, the team has lacked a realistic fourth option. That being said, none of the four players above should be expected to immediately become just that. After slowly starting into the 2018 regular season, the New England Patriots’ offense has turned the corner over the last three weeks. Thanks in part to the emergence of rookie running back Sony Michel and Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon becoming bigger parts of the passing offense, Tom Brady and his teammates scored an average of 39.7 points over their last three contests – all wins, by the way.This is a noticeable improvement when compared to the 19.0 average the unit had through the first three games this year. One of the key reasons for the team’s recently improved output is its success in the red zone: the Patriots scored touchdowns on 10 of their 14 red area trips over the last three games; they are also 7 of 11 when it comes to converting goal-to-go situations.When looking at the season-long statistics, New England has now improved to 15 of 22 in the red zone. Furthermore the team scored six field goals, and had one turnover. While not perfect, there is a lot to like about the efficiency deep in the opponent’s territory – and one reason why the Patriots have had plenty of success inside the opponents’ 20-yard line is a player that has seen a limited number of passes thrown his way in the red area this season.Rob Gronkowski Adrian Clayborn Jerseys 2019 , he of 56 red area scores to his name in his career, was the target of just two passes counted as red area throws: he caught a 21-yard touchdown in week one (a penalty had pushed New England back, but it still counts as a red zone trip), was the target of an incompletion in week four, and saw a pass knocked out of his hands for an interception in week five.When compared to the Patriots’ other receiving options, Gronkowski is having a quiet season so far in terms of red zone usage. Overall, four players have seen more than his three targets in this part of the field:All four players have proven to be valid red zone threats but it is still noteworthy to see them receive at time noticeably more targets than a 6’6, 265 lbs tight end who is one of the best red zone receivers of his era. That being said, Gronkowski is still having an impact on New England’s red zone offense simply because of his presence: having him on the field forces defenses to account for him, often with more than just one player.This, in turn White Jeremy Hill Jerseys , frees things up elsewhere and allows players like James White to take advantage. While it would be nice to see Gronkowski get more red zone targets – effectively speaking he was thrown just one pass inside the 20, the same number as fullback James Develin – he still plays a big role. This role does not come up on the stat sheet, sure, but it is important nevertheless. It also could change again in the future.With James White, Julian Edelman, and Josh Gordon all available now, defenses are faced with a “pick your poison” situation. Should they continue focusing on Gronkowski? Or should they try to stop one of the other players that have seen more red zone targets than him? This decision opposing coordinators will have to make could again create more opportunities for the NFL’s best tight end.And of course for James Develin as well.For the sake of completeness, here is the full table of the Patriots’ red zone targets through six weeks: