Projecting the Patriots’ 53-man roster ahead of cutdown day
The Patriots must trim their roster by 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Patriots must trim their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Here’s a projection of which players will make the cut.
Quarterbacks (3)
Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton III
Maye and Brissett are locks to make the roster and one of them will win the starting job. Milton’s size size and arm strength make him an interesting developmental prospect. Bailey Zappe has looked like the odd man out throughout most of training camp.
Running Backs (3)
Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris
JaMycal Hasty was arguably the toughest cut in this projection, but carrying four running backs seems like a lot. Stevenson and Gibson are locks, and Kevin Harris narrowly beats out Hasty.
Receivers (6)
Demario Douglas, Tyquan Thornton, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, KJ Osborn, Jalen Reagor
Douglas was New England’s leading receiver last year and appeared poised for a strong sophomore season. A bulked up Thornton has found a way to stay healthy and will get a shot to prove himself as a deep threat. Polk is becoming one of the more reliable targets on the team. Baker gets a nod because of his upside as a playmaker. Osborn has been a solid veteran addition, and Reagor will probably stick because of his ability to return kicks.
Tight-Ends (3)
Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell
Henry has missed time with an undisclosed injury, but Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said he’s optimistic that Henry will be ready by Week 1. Hooper seems to be the second option at tight-end. Rookie Bell had a standout practice at the end of camp that may help his case.
Offensive Linemen (9)
Mike Onwenu, David Andrews, Vederian Lowe , Sidy Sow , Chukwuma Okorafor, Caeden Wallace, Layden Robinson, Calvin Anderson, Nick Leverett
Lowe, Sow, Andrews, Onwenu, and Okorafor were the top offensive line group throughout most of camp. Robinson started to push Sow for his starting spot at the end before a minor injury to Lowe prompted the coaches to experiment with both of them at the guard sports. Rookie Caedan Wallace provides much-needed tackle depth. Anderson and Leverett should help solidify the reserves up front.
Defensive Linemen (6)
Davon Godchaux, Keion White, Deatrich Wise Jr. , Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Trysten Hill
Godchaux, White, and Wise aren’t going anywhere. Ekuale and Pharms could have bigger roles with Christian Barmore out indefinitely due to blood clots. Trysten Hill edges out newcomer Armon Watts who has had a quiet camp.
Linebackers (8)
Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings , Joshua Uche, Joe Giles-Harris, Raekwon McMillan, Oshane Ximines, Christian Elliss.
The Patriots are expecting big things out of this group without Matthew Judon. Jennings, Uche, and Ximines will fill in on the edge. Bentley and Tavai should maintain their starting spots. McMillan, Elliss, and Giles-Harris have shown flashes during the preseason games.
Cornerbacks (7)
Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Marco Wilson, Shaun Wade, Isaiah Bolden
Gonzalez and the Joneses are at the top of the depth chart for this spot. There hasn’t been much separation between the other players at this position, but Austin, Bolden, Wade, and Wilson are all 25 or younger with emerging skill-sets.
Safeties (5)
Jabrill Peppers, Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Brendan Schooler
The Patriots’ streak of having at least one undrafted free agent make the 53-man roster ended last year, but could be revived this year with Pettus.
Peppers and Dugger anchor one of the team’s strongest position groups. Hawkins has experience – he started 16 games for Atlanta in 2022. Schooler’s special teams contributions earn him a place on the squad.
Special Teams (3)
K: Joey Slye
Slye has been more consistent than Chad Ryland this summer. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Slye made 43 of his 52 kicks during training camp while Ryland made 39 of 52 attempts.
P: Bryce Baringer
Baringer set the single-season franchise record for most punts inside an opponent’s 20-yard line (38) last season.
LS: Joe Cardona
Injured Reserve/PUP: Christian Barmore, Kendrick Bourne, Marte Mapu, Sione Takitaki, Cole Strange, JaQuae Jackson, Jake Andrews, Tyrone Wheatley.
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