roster projection

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.

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.

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.