Patriots post-minicamp 53-man roster projection
The New England Patriots used the final day of their offseason workout program for fun, not work. The Patriots went on a paintball trip based on pictures posted by players on social media. New England typically cancels their final minicamp practice, so that wasn't anything out of the ordinary. After getting a close look at […]
The New England Patriots used the final day of their offseason workout program for fun, not work.
The Patriots went on a paintball trip based on pictures posted by players on social media. New England typically cancels their final minicamp practice, so that wasn't anything out of the ordinary.
After getting a close look at the team in three organized team activities practices and two minicamp sessions, here's our latest guess at what the 53-man roster will look like after cutdown day.
Quarterback (3)
IN: Malik Cunningham, Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe
OUT: Trace McSorely
The skinny: Cunningham was playing wide receiver in OTAs and minicamp, but it would benefit the Patriots to keep him listed as a quarterback to utilize the emergency quarterback option in games. If the Patriots keep Cunningham on their 53-man roster, they could dress him without making him an active player on gameday. That way, he could be inserted at quarterback if Jones and Zappe suffered injuries. And he could continue to learn the wide receiver position throughout the season.
Running back (3)
IN: Ty Montgomery, Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong
OUT: Kevin Harris, J.J. Taylor
The skinny: The Patriots got Harris onto their practice squad early last season. He could serve as depth from the practice squad if he makes it through waivers. If not, then there are plenty of running backs available to serve in a reserve role.
Wide receiver (4)
IN: Kendrick Bourne, DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton
OUT: Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas, Ed Lee, Tre Nixon, Raleigh Webb
The skinny: This seems shallow on paper, but consider that Cunningham, Montgomery and tight end Mike Gesicki all would serve as wide receiver depth from other positions. Boutte and Douglas have upside, but they didn’t do anything in spring practices that would ensure them roster spots. If DeAndre Hopkins signs, then it seems possible that Bourne or Parker could be cut or traded.
Tight end (2)
IN: Mike Gesicki, Hunter Henry
OUT: Anthony Firkser, Johnny Lumpkin, Matt Sokol, Scotty Washington
The skinny: Firkser and Washington are good players, but it seems likely that one of them would make it through waivers and onto the practice squad.
Offensive line (9)
IN: Calvin Anderson, David Andrews, Jake Andrews, Trent Brown, Atonio Mafi, Mike Onwenu, Riley Reiff, Sidy Sow, Cole Strange
OUT: James Ferentz, Chasen Hines, Conor McDermott, Bill Murray, Kody Russey, Andrew Stueber
The skinny: McDermott was the toughest cut, but keeping 10 offensive linemen feels like way too many, and we can’t see the Patriots cutting any of the nine players listed above.
Defensive line (6)
IN: Christian Barmore, Carl Davis, Daniel Ekuale, Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy, DaMarcus Mitchell
OUT: Jeremiah Pharms, Sam Roberts, Justus Tavai
The skinny: Guy is a player to monitor since he reportedly held out of minicamp for contract reasons. Guy is a valuable player in the Patriots’ defense, but it also probably doesn’t make a lot of sense for New England to meet any demands with a raise. Older, run-stuffing defensive linemen usually have trouble finding work.
Edge defender (5)
IN: Anfernee Jennings, Matthew Judon, Josh Uche, Keion White, Deatrich Wise
OUT: Ronnie Perkins
The skinny: Could White take Jennings’ spot on the roster to open up a spot for someone else? Possibly. We’re keeping him on for now, though. He’s a sold edge-setting run defender.
Linebacker (5)
IN: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Chris Board, Marte Mapu, Jahlani Tavai, Mack Wilson
OUT: Olakunle Fatukasi, Terez Hall, Jourdan Heilig, Calvin Munson,
The skinny: Wilson was one of the last players to make the roster, but he was helped out by Raekwon McMillan’s injury. The Patriots don’t need a ton of linebackers since their safeties fill that role in big nickel and dime personnel packages.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Myles Bryant, Christian Gonzalez, Jack Jones, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Ameer Speed
OUT: Isaiah Bolden, Quandre Mosely, Rodney Randle, Shaun Wade
The skinny: We’re keeping Speed around as a core special teamer and developmental big, fast cornerback.
Safety (5)
IN: Joshuah Bledsoe, Kyle Dugger, Jalen Mills, Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips
OUT: Brad Hawkins
The skinny: If the Patriots view Mapu as an option to play safety then perhaps Bledsoe could get pushed off. Bledsoe had some impressive moments in minicamp, however.
Special teams (6)
IN: Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona, Chad Ryland, Brendan Schooler, Matthew Slater
OUT: Tucker Addington, Cody Davis, Nick Folk, Corliss Waitman
The skinny: We had Speed pushing Davis off the roster. Davis was guaranteed $500,000 as part of his one-year contract. Maybe he could come back after an initial cut in order to place another player on injured reserve.
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