With one week of training camp under their belt, it’s an okay time to make another attempt at a 53-man roster. In case you missed them I’ve put up three training camp videos on my Youtube channel so far. Please subscribe!
QB (2) T.Brady, B.Hoyer — With a year on the practice squad, Etling could have some promise developing behind the scenes, a perfect spot for him.
RB (6) R.Burkhead, J.White, J.Hill, B.Bolden, S.Michel, J.Develin — Gillislee better get on the field quick or Hill will run away with the job.
WR (5) C.Hogan, P.Dorsett, C.Patterson, K.Britt, M.Slater — Projecting Britt based on OTAs but he has to get back on the field. Losing Matthews hurts the depth but really the top line is going to be the same once Edelman gets back. Dorsett will be a key contributor this season. Addition coming?
TE (3) R.Gronkowski, D.Allen, J.Hollister – Solid group led by Gronk. Allen is improved. Hollister continues to carve out a receiving role.
C (1) D.Andrews
G (3) S.Mason, J.Thuney, T.Karras
T (4) M.Cannon, T.Brown, I.Wynn, L.Waddle — Curious if Wynn takes some guard snaps again or if he sticks at tackle. He could help depth with some versatility.
DE (4) T.Flowers, D.Wise, A.Clayborn, D.Rivers — This group is much improved over what we had at the end of last season. Wise is ascending.
DT (5) D.Shelton, L.Guy, M.Brown, V.Valentine, A.Butler — Love keeping Valentine. Shelton is immovable. Brown has been knocked down a notch. Butler a sub pass rusher who is playing all tackle now, he was a DE at times last year.
ILB(3) E.Roberts, N.Grigsby, C.Sam — Grigsby is playing atop special teams. Sam has been the fourth LB on the field though hasn’t seen 1st team snaps. He’s a Hightower injury away from playing though.
OLB(4) D.Hightower, K.VanNoy, M.Flowers, B.King — Flowers hasn’t played much defense this camp but is a good backup just in case. Van Noy’s experience in the defense is really helpful. His reliability has been huge.
CB (5) S.Gilmore, E.Rowe, J.McCourty, D.Dawson, J.Jackson – With Jonathan Jones and Cyrus Jones opening on PUP, it opens the door for Jackson who has played a lot, including special teams.
SS (3) P.Chung, J.Richards, E.Pleasant — Pleasant has been one of the bigger surprises, playing on defense and on special teams. He’s really under the radar.
FS (2) D.McCourty, D.Harmon — The key guys on the back end.
ST (3) S.Gostkowski, C.Bojorquez, J.Cardona — Bojorquez has outkicked Allen thus far. Other factors go into it but I have to pick him at this stage based on what I’ve seen. He just murders the ball.
SUS – Julian Edelman
PUP – Jonathan Jones, Cyrus Jones, Nate Ebner. All will be good reinforcements in October if they’re able to get healthy.
NOTES – I have no idea what to do with Malcolm Mitchell. He can’t be PUP’d so he either needs a 53-man spot or he’s getting cut/traded. I could swap him in for someone but at this stage I’m just not sure we ever see him play for the Pats again and that’s extremely disheartening. I hope I’m wrong.
Braxton Berrios and Riley McCarron could be dark horses but at this point neither has done anything to open eyes. They’ve both been solid but unspectacular. Preseason games are where they’ll have to make their mark.
Geneo Grissom (and Brandon Bolden really) could be cut and re-signed as the Pats have done before with them. Still see both on the roster by mid-September.
Ryan Lewis is another young corner to keep an eye.
Total players: 53
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