New England Patriots roster breakdown: #63 OG Tre’ Jackson

The mandatory phase of the New England Patriots’ offseason workouts is over – at least until training camp starts in late July – and we have re-entered the quieter parts of the NFL calendar.

However, while the football world seemingly turns slower these days it does not stop. After all, by late August, each team has to start making its roster cuts. Until then, players have to secure their spots on the team; they need to do their jobs (well) or someone else will.

Over the course of the next few weeks, we will take a look at the men fighting for those spots on the 2016 New England Patriots. Today, we’ll continue the series with guard Tre' Jackson.

Name: Tre’ Jackson

Position: Guard

Jersey number: 63

Age: 23

Experience: 1

Size: 6’4, 320 lbs.

2015 review: After the Patriots selected Jackson in the fourth round of the 2015 draft (pick #111), he went on to have a relatively unspectacular rookie season. The Florida State product still appeared in 13 games for the team and played a respectable 48.4% of the Patriots' offensive snaps (607 of 1,253), mostly at left guard.

When he saw the field, Jackson was a serviceable contributor but did not stand out in any way. He gave up 18 quarterback pressures – one sack, three hits and 14 hurries – as an average-looking pass blocker and did not fare much better as a run blocker, often struggling with consistency in his technique. All in all, though, Jackson did show some potential on an ever-changing offensive line.

His major issue in 2015 was not his at times up-and-down play, though, it was him staying healthy. Jackson hurt his knee in week 7 and was unable to fully recover afterwards, missing five of the Patriots' 18 games because of the injury and its aftermath. Jackson has reportedly failed multiple teams' physicals because of chronic problems with his knees prior to the draft, so his health situation will be worth monitoring moving forward.

2016 preview: While he showed some promise his rookie season, Jackson is far from a lock to make the Patriots' roster. After all, New England invested noticeable resources in the interior offensive line: the team drafted guards Joe Thuney – a roster lock – and Ted Karras, while also acquiring former top-10 draft pick Jonathan Cooper via trade.

The Patriots currently have seven guards on the roster, and for Jackson to make the team, he likely needs to beat out at least three of them. In order to do that, he has to improve and become more consistent as a blocker. He was able to do show his talents in spurts last season and now needs to use those stretches of solid play as a foundation upon which to build this summer.

He also needs to do something else: get on the field. Jackson missed OTAs and minicamp due to his knee injury and if his health status does not improve, he will likely see others solidify their roster spots while he is sidelined.

If he can stay healthy and get better throughout training camp and the preseason, Jackson will get enough chances to prove that he belongs on New England's 53-man roster alongside Thuney and probably two other guards. However, if he fails to achieve one of those things – either improve or stay healthy – it would not be surprising to see the former fourth round selection not be on the Patriots' active roster this season.

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Based on 2015 and this year's offseason, Jackson might currently be on the outside looking in. He needs to get on the field in order to show his worth to the team; something he has not been able to do this spring. Until the second-year man returns to practice and shows signs of development, the odds are against him.