Another stab at a 53-man roster here and I feel like there’s almost too kept Patriots in this one. I could easily see a couple of these guys ending up cut to make room for the random external free agent (or trade) that none of us can see coming right now.
QB (3) T.Brady, J.Garoppolo, J.Brissett — I toyed with cutting Brissett but I refused to do a below-53 projection. Just haven’t seen the progress out of him this season that makes me think he’s anything special. Still would like to continue developing him, but with no Brady suspension this year, going with two would be fine.
RB (6) J.White, D.Lewis, R.Burkhead, M.Gillislee, J.Develin, B.Bolden — I really consider Bolden a special teamer. He’s another one who I could easily see cut and replaced by Burkhead. You can just never rule out the special teams love from BB.
WR (5) B.Cooks, C.Hogan, D.Amendola, M.Mitchell, M.Slater — Slater’s a special teamer too obviously. The other four are all capable but it’s strange to see three outside guys and just one inside guy (Amendola). Will be interesting to see how they adjust schematically.
TE (2) R.Gronkowski, D.Allen — Just don’t see anything special from O’Shaughnessy or Hollister or Lengel. All could be cut and brought back if necessary I believe.
C (1) D.Andrews
G (3) S.Mason, J.Thuney, T.Karras
T (5) N.Solder, M.Cannon, C.Fleming, L.Waddle, T.Garcia – Toyed with putting Garcia on IR to open another spot. He’s been out most of camp and even when he was in he didn’t look ready for the NFL yet. Might be best to let him work behind the scenes to get bigger and healthy. Can’t see him cut of course. Kept Fleming and Waddle both because I had the space, but again, one of them is likely gone.
DE (4) T.Flowers, G.Grissom, D.Wise, A.Butler – Putting Butler here with the DEs because he’s played all spots and I think he’ll be a pass rush specialist to start. Flowers and Wise are my picks to be the starters and I think they’ll play the large majority of snaps.
DT (4) A.Branch, M.Brown, L.Guy, V.Valentine — Love this group. Valentine might’ve been on the bubble before the injuries hit but I think you gotta keep him now.
ILB(2) D.Harris, E.Roberts — Either one of these guys probably coming off the field in passing situations, but both are good early down players. Excited to see if Roberts takes a step forward. He needs to just play a little more under control and let the play come to him.
OLB(4) D.Hightower, S.McClellin, K.VanNoy, H.Langi — These are the stand-up outside edge guys, likely McClellin on early downs, Van Noy on passing downs.
CB (6) M.Butler, S.Gilmore, E.Rowe, C.Jones, J.Coleman, J.Jones — Coleman sneaks on here though I’m not sure they’d carry six corners. I had the space and I like the player so I disregarded the norms a bit.
SS (3) P.Chung, N.Ebner, B.King
FS (2) D.McCourty, D.Harmon — Great top trio, but I still wonder what happens if Patrick Chung gets hurt. Jordan Richards just isn’t good enough in any facet to keep him around.
ST (3) S.Gostkowski, R.Allen, J.Cardona
To recap, guys I could still easily see cut off of here:
- Jacoby Brissett
- Brandon Bolden
- Tony Garcia (IR)
- Justin Coleman
- LaAdrian Waddle
As I see it there are 48 locks so there’s a lot of flexibility. Just remember Labor Day weekend always leaves us scratching our heads and this year should be no different.
