Looking at the New England Patriots' roster, and how much cap space they could save with a few releases, it appears we could see some surprise cuts this summer.

Let's take a safer route with the first 53-man roster projection of the offseason, however. Here's how New England's roster could look after roster cuts at the end of training camp.

Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2023 undrafted free agents.

Quarterback (3)

IN: Malik Cunningham**, Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe
OUT: Trace McSorely

The skinny: The Patriots guaranteed Cunningham a lot of money ($200k) just to cut him. It’s more fun to keep him on the roster, and the Patriots have some space.

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Running back (3)

IN: James Robinson, Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong
OUT: Kevin Harris, Ty Montgomery, J.J. Taylor

The skinny: There’s definitely a possibility that Montgomery makes this team in September. What seems more likely is that a fourth running back who makes the roster isn’t even on the team yet.

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Wide receiver (5)

IN: Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas*, DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton
OUT: Kayshon Boutte*, Lynn Bowden, Tre Nixon

The skinny: For the record, I love the Boutte pick. But there is a lot of risk there. The move was described to me as low probability and high upside. The Patriots are more fun if Boutte is on the team, but we’re keeping Douglas over him for now. And listen, not all 12 draft picks are going to make the team. Boutte was definitely worthy of a sixth-round pick, but it's on him to prove he deserves a spot.

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Tight end (2)

IN: Mike Gesicki, Hunter Henry
OUT: Johnny Lumpkin**, Matt Sokol, Scotty Washington

The skinny: It's a little bit odd that New England hasn't done more to address tight end depth, but we're not about to put Lumpkins, Sokol or Washington on the team.

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Offensive line (9)

IN: Calvin Anderson, David Andrews, Jake Andrews*, Trent Brown, Atonio Mafi*, Michael Onwenu, Riley Reiff, Sity Sow*, Cole Strange
OUT: Yodny Cajuste, James Ferentz, Conor McDermott, Bill Murray, Kody Russey, Andrew Stueber

The skinny: McDermott was the toughest cut. New England guaranteed $525k of his contract.

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Defensive line (4)

IN: Christian Barmore, Daniel Ekuale, Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy
OUT: Carl Davis, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Sam Roberts

The skinny: New England can afford to keep just four defensive linemen since (spoiler alert) DaMarcus Mitchell, Keion White and Deatrich Wise are bigger edge defenders.

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Edge defender (5)

IN: Anfernee Jennings, Matthew Judon, Josh Uche, Keion White*, Deatrich Wise

OUT: Ronnie Perkins

The skinny: Perkins hasn't lived up to his third-round billing so far and finds himself on the inside out.

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Linebacker (5)

IN: Ja'Whaun Bentley, Chris Board, Marte Mapu*, Jahlani Tavai, Mack Wilson

OUT: Olakunle Fatukasi, Terez Hall, Jourdan Heilig**, Raekwon McMillan, Calvin Munson

The skinny: We could only keep one of Wilson or McMillan. Wilson has slightly more guaranteed money.

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Cornerback (6)

IN: Isaiah Bolden*, Myles Bryant, Christian Gonzalez, Jack Jones, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones

OUT: Quandre Mosely, Rodney Randle, Ameer Speed*, Shaun Wade

The skinny: It came between Bolden and Speed. They have extremely similar measurables, but Bolden was the better defender last season.

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Safety (5)

IN: Joshuah Bledsoe, Kyle Dugger, Jalen Mills, Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips

OUT: Brad Hawkins

The skinny: Bledsoe was one of our final additions. New England does have more special teams depth at safety with Cody Davis and Brenden Schooler.

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Special Teams (6)

IN: Bryce Baringer*, Joe Cardona, Cody Davis, Chad Ryland*, Brenden Schooler, Matthew Slater
OUT: Tucker Addington, Nick Folk, Corliss Waitman

The skinny: It's a youth movement on special teams with Baringer and Ryland making the team over Waitman and Folk.

Featured image via Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports