Ahead of tonight’s second pre-season game in Philly, I thought it was time to have a first go at who I think will be on the 53-man roster given the current mood. Now, I’m going to include players that are actively on PUP, players already sent to the injured reserve are not included as their seasons are effectively over.
Quarterbacks – 3
Cam Newton
Mac Jones (R)
Jarrett Stidham
Notes:
Three QB’s this season, not in any particular order of depth when we know the starting job is being fought over between Mac and Cam, Stidham is still on his rookie deal so makes no sense to cut him. Hoyer, for obvious reasons, doesn’t make the cut.
Running Backs – 6
Damien Harris
Sony Michel
James White
Rhamondre Stevenson (R)
J.J. Taylor
Jakob Johnson
Notes:
J.J. Taylor squeezes onto the four locks at running back, he’s looked good so far this camp, and I think the team won’t want to risk losing if they decide to release him, a good depth option. Jakob Johnson will be the starting fullback for another season as the competition faded over the first few weeks of the pre-season.
Wide Receivers – 6
Nelson Agholor
Jakobi Meyers
Kendrick Bourne
N’Keal Harry
Gunner Olszewski
Matthew Slater
Notes:
This wasn’t really that difficult as there wasn’t a great deal of quality to choose from. The top three are locks and then we get to Harry, I don’t think he’s going anyway until at least mid-season or at the trade deadline, he’ll get opportunities to progress once more. Gunner and Slate make the team for the specialist roles.
Kristian Wilkerson misses out for his poorer performance in the first pre-season game and the joint practices with Philly, he’s dropped a lot of balls. It’s a real shame as I think the coaches like him.
Tight Ends – 4
Hunter Henry
Jonnu Smith
Devin Asiasi
Matt LaCosse
Notes:
To allow the Patriots to use multiple tight ends this season in various formations, they’ll need depth to support with rotation and potential injuries. Henry and Smith are obvious locks to the roster, as is Asiasi who starts his second season. Matt LaCosse left joint training against the Eagles this week with a head injury, but he makes my roster, barring any serious after-effects from the knock.
Offensive Line – 8
David Andrews – C
Ted Karras – C/G
Shaq Mason – G
Isiah Wynn – T
Trent Brown – T
Michael Onwenu – G/T
Justin Herron – T/G
Alex Redmond – G
Notes:
I did want to keep 9 for the line, but James Ferentz missed out as I needed the spot elsewhere. Business as usual for this list with Alex Redmond making the list as a depth option, but really I want to see more tonight from Cajuste, draft-pick William Sherman.
Regardless those who miss out will be in the mix to be on the practice squad, given the rules now in place to allow the team to have up to six players who have played more than two seasons on the squad.
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