Just like that the preseason is over and done with, tomorrow the team will cut the roster size down to just 53 to comply with league rules. Here’s my Patriots roster projection:
Quarterbacks (3)
IN: Mac Jones, Brian Hoyer, Bailey Zappe
Notes:
No changes for this position, Hoyer’s contract indicates that he’ll be the backup and won’t be going anywhere, Zappe will be kept as a third-string developmental player.
Running Backs (5)
IN: Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, Ty Montgomery, Pierre Strong Jr., Kevin Harris
OUT: J.J. Taylor
Notes:
I think Taylor will miss out on the initial roster cut-down, but with Montgomery’s injury status up in the air, Taylor could be back on the roster much sooner if another team doesn’t pick him up.
Wide Receivers (6)
IN: Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor, DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton, Lil’Jordan Humphrey
OUT: Kristian Wilkerson, Trey Nixon, Josh Hammond
Notes:
With Thornton getting injured against Las Vegas, I suspect he’ll be placed on IR tomorrow after the deadline, opening up the chance for Wilkerson or Nixon to make it back on the team, but no real surprises here.
Tight Ends (3)
IN: Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Devin Asiasi
OUT: Matt Sokol, Jalen Wydermyer
Notes:
No surprises here either, I think the team will carry three at the position, with perhaps one final shot for Asiasi to show some worth, no room for Sokol or Wydermyer who were camp bodies.
Offensive Line (8)
IN: Cole Strange, Trent Brown, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Isaiah Wynn, Yodny Cajuste, Justin Herron, Kody Russey
OUT: Will Sherman, James Ferentz, Drew Desjarlais, Bill Murray, Chasen Hines, Arlington Hambright, Yasir Durant
Notes:
There is a bunch of questions that still remain unanswered regarding the offensive line, plus, they haven’t looked great through the preseason. Wynn remains for now, but I could see him getting dealt before the trade deadline, some of the cuts I’ve included should make their way back onto the PS.
Defensive Line (5)
IN: Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy, Deatrich Wise Jr, Sam Roberts
OUT: Henry Anderson, DaMarcus Mitchell, Jeremiah Pharms, Daniel Ekuale, LaBryan Ray, Carl Davis
Notes:
Henry Anderson misses out on the roster this year, and so does Daniel Ekuale who’s suspended for the first part of the season. LaBryan Ray had a good camp, but I just don’t think he’s done enough to make it on the first roster, he’s a PS candidate for sure.
Linebackers (7)
IN: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Raekwon McMillan, Mack Wilson, Matthew Judon, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Cameron McGrone
OUT: Harvey Langi, Nate Wieland, Jahlani Tavai
Notes:
This wasn’t an easy one. McGrone will get a chance to play a little this season for the first time, so I don’t think the team will risk losing him, no room for Langi, Tavai, and Wieland, however.
Cornerbacks (5)
IN: Jalen Mills, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Jack Jones, Myles Bryant
OUT: Terrance Mitchell, Shaun Wade
Notes:
I would prefer the team to keep 6 corners, but it remains to be seen how they decide to play it, I think Wade and Mitchell will miss out, the others are locks.
Safeties (5)
IN: Devin McCourty, Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabrill Peppers, Joshuah Bledsoe
OUT: Brad Hawkins
Notes:
Bill said today that the safety group was in his opinion, the strongest unit on the team. I think they’ll keep these 5, with the first 4 playing roles this season. I hope Bledsoe will get involved as I think he has potential.
Special Teams (6)
IN: Nick Folk, Jake Bailey, Joe Cardona, Matthew Slater, Justin Bethel, Brenden Schooler
OUT: Cody Davis, Tristan Vizcaino
Notes:
I think Cody Davis has been a solid player for the team since he arrived in 2020, but I think he’s expendable and I’d rather go with Justin Bethel as a main-stay veteran ST’er. Brenden Schooler makes the team after a strong camp, along with the usual locks you’d expect.
