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Patriots Roster Projection 2.0

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Preseason is over, the Patriots finished 3-0 during the now shorter schedule with wins over Washington, Philadelphia, and New York. By 4pm EST tomorrow, the roster will be trimmed down to 53 players, as league rules demand.

Here’s my final 53-man roster projection:

Quarterback (2)

Cam Newton
Mac Jones

PUP – Jarrett Stidham

I have just two QB’s to start the season as I think Stidham will still be on PUP, no place for Hoyer either, whilst his experience is valuable, I can’t see the team using a roster spot on him. Potentially a practice squad addition?

I wouldn’t rule out Stidham being cut tomorrow either, he’s clearly not in the team’s long-term plans.

Running back (5)

Damien Harris
Rhamondre Stevenson
J.J. Taylor
James White
Jakob Johnson (FB)

A couple of weeks ago, I had six backs making the roster, but with Sony Michel traded to the Rams last week, I’ve decided to only keep the other five originally selected.

Damien Harris has established himself as the lead back with Stevenson and Taylor showing remarkable improvements over the last couple of months. James White will be the go-to pass-catcher in the backfield, Jakob Johnson is the team’s fullback.

Wide receiver (5)

Nelson Agholor
Kendrick Bourne
Jakobi Meyers
N’Keal Harry
Gunner Olszewski

Whilst Harry’s future is still up in the air, his injury won’t have helped his trade value, I can’t see him being moved right now and it makes no sense to cut him as he’s still on his rookie deal. Agholor, Bourne, and Meyers are locks. Olszewski makes the team for his return ability alone, he needs to work on his pass-catching.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team bring in a new face from waivers or the trade block.

Tight end (4)

Hunter Henry
Jonnu Smith
Devin Asiasi
Matt LaCosse

Four TE’s make it, and the first three are locks. LaCosse was injured during joint training with the Eagles, if he’s fit, he makes it on as the fourth option. The team will want to utilize multiple tight-end formations, but they need this group to stay healthy. Don’t be surprised to see the team active on the waiver wire/trade market in the next week or so.

Offensive line (8)

David Andrews (C)
Ted Karras (C/G)
Shaq Mason (G)
Isaiah Wynn (T)
Trent Brown (T)
Michael Onwenu (G/T)
Justin Herron (G/T)
Yodny Cajuste (T)

Eight make my final total for the offensive line, the majority are locks, but Yodny Cajuste is the one addition to the list I put in my first projection a couple of weeks ago. Cajuste had a strong finish to camp and for my money has earned his spot on the roster.

Rookie Will Sherman never made any strides to earn a spot, the likes of James Ferentz and Alex Redmond could be practice squad candidates.

Defensive line (6)

Henry Anderson
Christian Barmore
Lawrence Guy
Davon Godchaux
Deatrich Wise Jr.
Carl Davis

Christian Barmore has been really fun to watch in the preseason games, his strength stands out among all else as time and again he’s caused major disruption in the pocket against opposition QB’s. Henry Anderson makes the team, along with Guy and Godchaux, who I think will have a good year against the run. Deatrich Wise signed a big deal in the offseason, he’s not going anywhere, and Carl Davis is in for depth.

Linebacker (7)

Dont’a Hightower
Kyle Van Noy
Matt Judon
Josh Uche
Chase Winovich
Ronnie Perkins
Ja’Whaun Bentley

This is the position that will be fun to watch this year. The top four are locks, I have no interest in Winovich leaving, he makes my roster, I think he can have a big role this season, but, a small part of me thinks he may get traded. Perkins is in after a fairly quiet first camp for him, and Bentley, who’s had some flashes in the preseason, completes the group.

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Patriots acquire rookie CB Shaun Wade via Trade with Baltimore

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(AP Photo/Gail Burton)

A position in need of depth was addressed today as Shaun Wade was acquired in a trade with the Ravens which saw a 7th-round pick for 2022 and a 5th-round pick for 2023 go the other way.

Wade, who played football in college for Ohio State, was chosen in the 5th-round in this year’s draft by Baltimore. After a fairly strong start to camp, there was a lot of interest in his services on the trade market, Baltimore decided to cash in on the rookie. With their secondary already pretty stacked, reporters noted that Wade would have struggled to make the 53-man roster, and Baltimore clearly felt he wouldn’t survive waivers to get him back on the practice squad.

It adds another body to the position that needed depth, with Stephon Gilmore still sitting out of camp, Wade will come straight in to compete for his place in the lineup, look out for him this Sunday in the final pre-season game against the Giants.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po6JXMglJVg

BREAKING – Patriots trade RB Sony Michel to the LA Rams

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(AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Some news this morning as you wake up, former first-round pick Sony Michel is heading to LA for two late conditional draft picks (that can turn into a single fourth-rounder).

Not a big surprise here for me, given the buzz around the team’s depth at the position, and with Michel in the final year of his rookie deal, the Patriots clear off some space and get some future picks in return.

Michel never really reached the heights of his drafting position, unlike college team-mate Nick Chubb, who was drafted a whole round later than Michel and has become a franchise player for Cleveland.

Rapsheet gives an update on compensation here, stating that the fifth and six round conditional picks will likely become a fourth-rounder in due time, a fair trade in my opinion.

Here’s the cap update from Miguel at @Patscap as always.

Patriots Roster Projection 1.0

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(AP Photo/Steven Senne)

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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The 10 Patriots you should watch in tonight’s preseason opener against Washington

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Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald

Patriots football is back the Washington Football Team travels to New England! Gillette Stadium will have fans back tonight for the first time in 585 days which will be a special moment for all in attendance.

Here are 10 Patriots you should keep an eye on tonight!

1. QB #10 Mac Jones

Of course, this will be the main focus tonight, the first time that we’ve had the chance to see Mac Jones in a legitimate game scenario. Reports earlier today confirmed the game would be split between Mac and Cam, so at least we know we’ll see the first-round pick in action.

Really, I just want to see Mac get it out fast, make some completions, and show that he can move the offense. I don’t care if he doesn’t get any touchdowns, I’d just like to see some good fundamentals tonight.

Washington will be playing their starters for some of the game, so Mac will get a chance to be tested by a good defensive front, with the likes of Chase Young bearing down.

He’ll also be wearing his college number 10 jersey, as confirmed today by the team. Sorry Jimmy G.

https://twitter.com/Ryan_Spags/status/1425852332089225223?s=20

2. WR #15 N’Keal Harry

After the whole trade request debacle, Harry will be wanting to continue to help his own stock rise following a string of good practices at camp. Harry is in his third season with the team and has yet to show any signs of being a first-round talent.

Either the team wants to keep him, or they want to trade him. Regardless, I think he’ll be getting some good snaps tonight. I want to see him use his size and strength when targeted, redzone dominance, run after the catch, the stuff we’ve been hoping we’d see more of.

He really has to flash tonight and across the next few games, and because of that, you should keep an eye on number 15 all night.

3. DT #70 Christian Barmore

There was, without doubt, a buzz when the Barmore pick was announced on Draft night back in April. The top-rated defensive tackle has shown glimpses of his pass-rushing power so far in camp, tonight he’ll get a chance to go full kilt against an NFL offensive line.

I’m not sure exactly what role he will play in the defense this season, but, if he can show the ability to bring pressure on the opposing QB, he’ll get some good time on the field this season I’m sure.

4. CB #41 Myles Bryant

The second-year UDFA CB has a chance to impress tonight and over the new few games as he tries to earn a roster spot.

Bryant featured periodically last season, his most noteworthy contribution was his first career interception against the Rams in Week 14. With Gilmore still absent, J.C. Jackson and Jon Jones locks for the roster already, expect to see Bryant involved throughout tonight.

5. DE #51 Ronnie Perkins

Heresssssssssssssssssssssss Ronnie.

Ronnie Perkins should be another Rookie you should have your eyes on against Washington. Pass-rush tried to compensate for the lack of run-stopping play last year, here’s hoping Perkins can develop into a deadly edge-rusher.

Perkins hasn’t blown anyone away so far in camp by reports, but tonight we’ll get a first real look at what he may be able to offer the team in the early part of the season, and what that role may be.

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BREAKING – Patriots TE Dalton Keene placed on IR, will miss 2021 season

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Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a bad day for injuries. Following the news earlier that Raekwon McMillan had torn his ACL, Dalton Keene has been placed on the injured reserve list following a procedure on his knee to repair an issue he dealt with previously in College.

It’s reported that Keene will have plenty of time to recover for the 2022 season, and really, the small silver lining here is that he will be protected for the season on the IR list as he wasn’t a sure-fire lock for the roster due to the arrivals in the TE group this year.

Mike Reiss notes that Keene joins McMillan in being placed on IR, effectively ending their season.

Some good news regarding tight ends did surface this evening also, Devin Asiasi was activated from the COVID list, we should see him back at practice tomorrow.

Here’s what the TE room looks like currently:

BREAKING – Patriots LB Raekwon McMillan out for the season with ACL tear

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Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images

As first reported by Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, LB Raekwon McMillan is out for the season with a suspected ACL tear. Awful news for McMillan, who suffered the same injury back in 2017 during his rookie season with Miami.

This injury comes at a time when McMillan, who only joined in free agency, was just starting to have some good practices over the last few days of Training Camp. A cruel, cruel game football can be sometimes. Well wishes to him for a speedy recovery.

Just as quickly as the news about the injury broke, Pelissero delivered the news that the team’s sixth-round pick from last year’s draft, Cassh Maluia was returning to the team, following his released this off-season.

Here’s a look at the current LB depth on the roster: