The New England Patriots may be coming off of a Super Bowl title, but that does not mean success is guaranteed for 2019.

Sure, the Patriots will probably win the AFC East for the 11th straight year, but New England does not measure its success by division crowns: it measures it by Super Bowl championships.

In order for the Pats to repeat, several players are going to have to emerge and come up big this coming season.

Here are three players who need to take the next steps for the Patriots in 2019.

3. Phillip Dorsett

The Patriots' receiving corps are very thin right now, as New England lost tight end Rob Gronkowski to retirement and receivers Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson to free agency. Plus, wide out Josh Gordon is serving an indefinite suspension..

That leaves Julian Edelman, an aging Demaryius Thomas coming off of a torn Achilles and a whole lot of unproven talent.

Phillip Dorsett, Patriots

Phillip Dorsett is a guy to look out for, as he was able to log 32 catches for 290 yards and three touchdowns in a limited role during the regular season and then had some moments in the playoffs, particularly in the Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Chargers when he caught four passes for 41 yards and a score.

Dorsett is certainly not a No. 1 or even a No. 2 receiver, but if he can step in and fill the void left by Hogan, it would be a big lift for the Patriots' offense.

2. Deatrich Wise Jr.

New England lost its best pass rusher this offseason, as Trey Flowers signed with the Detroit Lions. Yes, the Pats signed veteran Michael Bennett to replace him, but at 33 years old, it's questionable how much Bennett has left in the tank.

Enter Deatrich Wise Jr., who is going into this third season along the Patriots' defensive line and has totaled 9.5 sacks over his first couple of years in the league.

Bill Belichick, Patriots

It will be tough for him to produce like Flowers, but at the very least, Wise needs to step up and become more of a threat, as the Patriots' defense was shaky overall this past year even with Flowers.

The Pats have recycled a whole lot of defensive linemen over the years and always seem to land on their feet. Let's see if Wise continues that trend.

1. Sony Michel

Sony Michel had a spectacular rookie campaign for the Patriots in 2018, rushing for 931 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 4.5 yards per carry in 13 games and then proceeding to rack up 336 yards and six scores in the playoffs.

That's all well and good, but there is no doubt that Michel still has some work to do, especially in a crowded New England backfield in which he is not even really an every-down back.

Sony Michel

Michel can change that by becoming more of a threat in the passing game, or any kind of threat in that area at all. The 24-year-old logged just seven catches for 50 yards this past year, putting him at the bottom of the barrel as far as pass-catching running backs are concerned.

He was never much of a receiver at Georgia, either, but there is no excuse for Michel not even being an option as a receiver.

If Michel can add a pass-catching game to his repertoire, he will ascend into the next level as a running back and will open up the Patriots' entire offense.