Patriots training camp: Ranking the team’s positional battles

Patriots rookie N'Keal Harry could find himself in a critical role early in his NFL career.COMMENTARY

The rookies have arrived, the veterans get in on Wednesday, and come Thursday morning at 9:15, football season will officially be underway in Foxborough.

And so will what promises to be a compelling competition for roles, if not necessarily roster spots, for the New England Patriots.

Bill Belichick’s team has taken some personnel hits this spring and summer, but still begins training camp for the defense of its sixth Super Bowl title with a roster talented enough for some to rank it the best in the NFL. There’s no Rob Gronkowski, no Trey Flowers, and no clear replacement for either — but the…