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53-man roster

Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection v 3.0

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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.

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Patriots Pre-Camp 53-Man Roster Projection

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Just three more days until the opening of the 2017 Patriots training camp, but it’s hard not to think about how things will look a little over a month from now during final cuts.

Last year the Pats had really good injury luck. Of course we can say that now because they won the Super Bowl without Sebastian Vollmer and Rob Gronkowski. But it isn’t hard to imagine a world where those could’ve easily been blamed as reasons the Pats fell short of the title. Luckily that’s not the world we live in, aka the one where they can’t win a championship without the best tight end in NFL history.

I’m trying not to let myself think too much about how stacked this roster is and just how hard the cutdown decisions are going to be. There’s already been plenty of 19-0 rumblings, but that’s the last thing on my mind. Let’s just open camp up, get through the first handful of practices without anyone breaking a bone or ligament and we’ll go from there.

Just don’t allow yourself to start comparing this team to 2007’s because, well, this one might be even more talented. It’s certainly deeper. But again, on paper, with perfect health. It’s a slippery slope and before you know it, you’re wondering “maybe they can go 19-0.” Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Assuming the perfect health remains, and it probably won’t, here’s my first projection at a 53-man roster.

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Final Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection

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It’s time for the final 53-man roster projection and to be honest I didn’t find it overly difficult. This team has come together pretty well and yes, I have TWO undrafted rookies making it, as is tradition with the Pats.

Here’s where I’m at, and it’s important to remember there will likely be a shocking cut that no one saw coming, or a free agency signing that’s impossible to predict. But if we stick with the guys who are currently on the roster, here’s who I would keep.

Friday PM Update – Mike Reiss reported Rob Ninkovich as been suspended four games for taking a banned substance, so that opens up a new spot. Geneo Grissom now get on in his place. It’s funny how suspensions can actually really help things at cutdown time.

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53-Man Patriots Roster Projection 2.0

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With yesterday’s injury news on Shaq Mason, Sebastian Vollmer and Dion Lewis, along with two preseason games under our belt, it’s a good time to do a quick 53-man roster projection. The unfortunate bonus of having injuries like those popping up is that they potentially open up two more roster spots. Vollmer and Lewis can remain on the PUP list, costing them a minimum of the first six weeks of the season, but allowing the Pats to hang on to a couple guys they might’ve had to cut.

It’s also important to note that at this point, Monday August 22nd, the Pats have two open roster spots. So additions could be coming that will make these 53-man roster projection a little tougher. And even with the extra spots there’s still some tough decisions.

Here’s where I”m at with the R

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A Way-Too-Early Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection

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Patriots Roster Projection

Like mock drafts in January, it’s way too early to legitimately project how things will shake out for the Patriots 53-man roster in September, but with so many draft picks once again and so much talent on this roster, it’s a good exercise to figure out where the tightest position battles will be.

Here’s an optimistic (and way too early) stab:

QB (3) T.Brady, J.Garoppolo, J.Brissett: No major surprise here, though if Brady sits the first four games and the Pats have a roster exemption for him, it will at least help avoid a painful cut elsewhere on the roster.

RB (5) D.Lewis, L.Blount, T.Gaffney, J.Develin, B.Bolden: I’m taking the optimistic route here with Gaffney, that he emerges and can take a significant early down role that I hoped would be filled in the draft. Lewis’ recovery timetable is a huge unknown. James White is my shocker cut, but if Lewis is healthy and Gaffney emerges I think White is just too one dimensional and never quite rose to the occasion last year, especially in the AFC Championship. Still, I’d bet they find a way to keep him, but for right here right now he’s hitting the bricks.

WR (6) J.Edelman, D.Amendola, C.Hogan, M.Mitchell, D.Lucien, M.Slater: Tough call here on Keyshawn Martin, who the Pats gave a new deal to last year, but I’d be much more excited to see Lucien sneak into that spot. Otherwise, this group is already looking better than last year. Aaron Dobson is finally put out to pasture.

TE (3) R.Gronkowski, M.Bennett, C.Harbor: The lack of a pure blocking tight end here is a bit concerning, but with Bennett in the mix it changes things because he can do it all. They can use one of their OL for the heavy sets if necessary. Crazy amount of talent at the top and Harbor can move around in a number of roles.

C (2) B.Stork, D.Andrews: Wouldn’t be opposed to trading one of these guys, preferably Andrews because of my Stork crush. Two very good young centers.

G (4) S.Mason, J.Kline, J.Thuney, J.Cooper: Again, taking an optimistic view with Cooper, that he re-finds the magic that made him a first round pick. Pencilling him in to start with Kline. Had to choose between Mason and Jackson, just liked Mason’s athleticism a bit more though his size continues to concern me a bit.

T (4) N.Solder, S.Vollmer, M. Cannon, L.Waddle: Could see Cannon getting cut if Waddle beats him out but for now keeping four for depth sake and I think Scarnecchia likes Cannon more than any of us. Fleming isn’t an easy cut, but a necessary one.

DE (4) R.Ninkovich, J.Sheard, C.Long, T.Flowers: Tough cut here of Geneo Grissom, I just like Flowers more and see him as a better physical fit at defensive end while Grissom seems too much of a tweener. Expecting Flowers to have a significant role even in the 4th string spot.

DT (4) M.Brown, T.Knighton, A.Branch, V.Valentine: Holy shit, look at the beef on this line! Feel good about these four. Brown should be the one DT in pure passing situations. Kearse/Kuhn/Vellano are easy cuts.

ILB(2) S.McClellin, J.Freeny: Thank the Hoodie Freeny has been bumped down the depth chart! McClellin will fit in well when the Pats are in their regular (fka “base”) defense, but also rotate in as he has a similar skill set to Hightower/Collins. Rookie Elandon Roberts isn’t an easy cut, and I’m interested to see if Bostic has anything in the tank now that he should be fully healthy.

OLB(2) J.Collins, D.Hightower: Two badass ninjas.

CB (5) M.Butler, L.Ryan, C.Jones, J.Coleman, D.Roberts: Gotta love this group and I’m very excited to get Roberts back into the mix. Wonder if they could use a vet since it’s such a young group, but all five are tough and can play.

SS (3) P.Chung, J.Richards, B.King: Richards’ role could increase this year with the departure of Tavon Wilson, both on special teams and on defense. King is an excellent special teamer and extremely under the radar for many casual fans. Chung just got extended again and could be in for a Pro Bowl-esque season.

FS (3) D.McCourty, D.Harmon, N.Ebner: Very good group, same kind of rotation with McCourty and Harmon as last year.

ST (3) S.Gostkowski, R.Allen, J.Cardona: Hopefully Cardona doesn’t have any Navy responsibilities to attend to. Otherwise rock solid group.

 

Hardest cuts: James White, Cameron Fleming, Tre Jackson, Geneo Grissom, Kamu Grugier-Hill.

Surprises: Tyler Gaffney, Darryl Roberts, Devin Lucien.
Make your own with Pats Picker and share in the comments if you’re not scared. It’s really, really tough at this point. But of course, injuries will make things a bit easier, unfortunately.

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Patriots (Initial) 53-man Roster Thoughts

This thing is far from set, but there are enough interesting moves and non-moves that it’s time to reset.

Here’s where I was off:

Out – Reggie Wayne, Jonas Grey, Robert McClain, Brandon LaFell (PUP)

In – Chris Harper, Mike Williams, Eric Martin, David Andrews

Jonas Gray is the biggest surprise, most assumed he’d done enough to earn some carries. Strange run for Grey after getting those four TDs vs. Indy.

Wayne’s retirement is a bit of a surprise and now Aaron Dobson has a chance to show what he can do once again.  Especially without LaFell for the first six games.

Martin and Williams are two guys I need to take a little closer look at. Martin shined early in camp but was lost with an injury until the last preseason game. Not really sure how they fit outside special teams just yet.

Harper has a tall task ahead of him but they will very well need him at some point soon. I wouldn’t rule out a veteran addition here, but who knows if anyone could pick the system up quickly. 

Right now it looks like they’ll be small on the outside and tall on the inside, at least to start. Imagine Edelman and Amendola will see a lot action and who knows how easy they’ll have to go on Edelman’s ankle still.

I am a fan of keeping all six safeties, each has their own use and can play multiple roles. They’re thin at linebacker but Chung/Richards/Wilson are essentially dime linebackers so there’s some depth for both positions there.

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Patriots 53-Man Roster, Final Version 4.0

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Here’s my final 53-man and I feel pretty good about it. Commentary below to keep it tight and easy to read.

QB (2) T.Brady, J.Garoppolo
RB (5) B.Bolden, J.White, D.Lewis, T.Cadet, J.Gray
WR (6) J.Edelman, B.LaFell, D.Amendola, R.Wayne, A.Dobson, M.Slater
TE (3) R.Gronkowski, S.Chandler, M.Hoomanawanui
C  (2) R.Wendell, B.Stork
G  (3) T.Jackson, J.Kline, S.Mason
T  (4) N.Solder, S.Vollmer, M.Cannon, C.Fleming
DE (6) C.Jones, R.Ninkovich, J.Sheard, T.Flowers, G.Grissom, R.Johnson
DT (4) S.Siliga, D.Easley, M.Brown, A.Branch
ILB(2) J. Mayo, J.Freeny
OLB(2) J.Collins, D. Hightower
CB (5) M.Butler, T.Brown, B.Fletcher, L.Ryan, R.McClain
SS (3) P.Chung, J.Richards, T.Wilson
FS (3) D.McCourty, D.Harmon, N.Ebner
ST (3) S.Gostkowski, R.Allen, J.Cardona

SUSP WEEK 1: L. Blount

The big news here is Rufus Johnson sneaking on at the expense of James Morris. Nothing against Morris but he’s easy to get onto the practice squad or to just keep on the “shadow roster” for a week or two. Rufus has played well every week and while he’s had some struggles against the run you can’t discard quality edge players.

Tavon Wilson also sticks because of special teams ability. I think he’s done enough to warrant a spot. Depth at linebacker and defensive tackle isn’t great, but with versatile DEs they factor into both those positions as well.

Still, there will very likely be at least one significant surprise this weekend. Last night we were speculating that Chandler Jones could theoretically be trade bait. As @PatsCap pointed out yesterday the Pats need to free up some cap space due to all the guys that landed on IR already. With a ton of depth at defensive end I don’t think moving Chandler for a second-round pick would be that big of a blow. A rotation of Ninkovich/Sheard/Flowers with a sprinkling of Grissom/Rufus would be just fine. And with no first rounder next year it would make sense to load up on second rounders whenever possible. Just a theory, but it’s Labor Day weekend, the time when shocking moves happen.