Football is back! As the Patriots kick off training camp, it’s easy to speculate and predict how this team will perform this upcoming season. Early signs from the Patriots draft are positive, and on paper, the Patriots seemed to have made minor upgrades offensively. Though the biggest improvement will come from the coaching staff. Bill O’Brien’s presence will bring back a commanding voice on the offensive side of the ball. O’Brien has always been a coach that pushes competition and is a vocal leader. Every player offensively will need to compete to earn their spot. With that being said, the entire roster will be in competition as well. There are openings on the final third of the roster all over the depth chart. Let’s take a look at my Patriots 53-man roster projection 1.0.
Quarterback (2):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe
- Out: Trace McSorley
Not much to look into here. Mac Jones will be the Patriots starter and Bailey Zappe showed last year he’s fully capable of being the Patriots backup. No need for the team to carry a third QB.
Running Back (4):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Rhamondre Stevenson, Ty Montgomery, Pierre Strong, Kevin Harris
- Out: J.J. Taylor
At the moment, this is the Patriots backfield. Stevenson is your clear-cut RB1. Strong and Harris showed enough as rookies to earn a spot this season. Ty Montgomery brings veteran experience and can be a complimentary receiving back. It should be noted that the Patriots have worked out multiple veteran running backs in recent days and if one is to sign, that would likely push Montgomery off the roster.
Tight End (2):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki
- Out: Matt Sokol, Anthony Firkser, Scotty Washington, Johnny Lumpkin
There’s a chance the Patriots carry a third tight end here. But with tough decisions at other positions coming, I see them following the blueprint they used early on in the 2022 season. Carry two TEs on the 53-man roster, and promote TEs from the practice squad for games. All four TEs who miss the cut here could be logical candidates for the practice squad.
Wide Receiver (5):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Juju Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, Demario Douglas
- Out: Kayshon Boutte, Tre Nixon, Malik Cunningham, Ed Lee, Raleigh Webb
As it stands now, the Patriots seem to have four locked-in WRs for the season. There could be wiggle room for one more WR but for now, five make the final cuts. There’s a lot of hype around former LSU wideout Kayshon Boutte but Demario Douglas is my pick for the final spot. Douglas brings special teams returner capabilities and was one of the most accomplished receivers in college football last year. He fell in large part due to his size, but Douglas has supposedly added significant weight so far this offseason as he looks to get ready for the NFL.
Offensive Tackle (5):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Trent Brown, Riley Reiff, Calvin Anderson, Conor McDermott, Sidy Sow
- Out: Andrew Stueber
This certainly isn’t the most stellar group on the Patriots roster. Nevertheless, it seems the Patriots will ride with quantity over quality at the tackle position. Playing the hot hand and at times using three tackles on the field at once.
Interior Offensive Line (5):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Mike Onwenu, David Andrews, Cole Strange, Jake Andrews, Antonio Mafi
- Out: James Ferentz, Chasen Hines, Kody Russey, Bill Murray
The Patriots drafted three offensive linemen with heavy college experience this year. I’d expect all three of them will make the roster. Andrews and Mafi taking over the backup roles for 2023.
Defensive Line (6):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Keion White, Deatrich Wise Jr, Lawrence Guy, Carl Davis
- Out: Daniel Ekuale, DeMarcus Mitchell, Justus Tavai, Jeremiah Pharms, Sam Roberts
Starting off the defensive side of the ball with the line of scrimmage. Barmore, Godchaux, White, and Wise are the four borderline locks for the roster. Guy has been a consistent presence for the Patriots but could be a cap casualty. Though for the moment, Guy and Davis make the final cut.
Linebacker (8):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Matthew Judon, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Ja’Whuan Bentley, Marte Mapu, Jahlani Tavai, Chris Board, Mack Wilson
- Out: Terez Hall, Calvin Munson, Ronnie Perkins, Olakunle Fatukasi
- IR: Raekwon McMillan
With McMillan heading to IR, the Patriots linebacker decisions became much easier. I’d be surprised if this group isn’t the final core that they go with in week one.
Cornerback (6):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones, Marcus Jones, Christian Gonzalez, Myles Bryant, Isaiah Bolden
- Out: Ameer Speed, Shaun Wade, Quandre Mosely, Rodney Randle
The secondary will probably feature the most interesting battles in training camp. Jon Jones, Marcus Jones, and first-round pick, Christian Gonzalez are roster locks. Jack Jones will join that group depending on his off-field issues. Myles Bryant likely has an inside track on a roster spot but I certainly wouldn’t consider him a lock. The training camp performances of 2023 draft pick Ameer Speed and Isaiah Bolden will factor into Bryant’s chances. At the moment, I have six corners making the final cuts. Though that could eventually jump to seven before week one.
Safety (5):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabrill Peppers, Jalen Mills, Joshuah Bledsoe
- Out: Brad Hawkins
Duggar and Peppers should be considered locks for the roster, with Phillips and Mills close to it as well. At the moment, I have Bledsoe making the cut. He will have the chance to show his worth with an opening at free safety. He will be battling with Speed, Bolden, and Bryant for the final secondary spots.
Specialists (5):
Embed from Getty Images- In: K Chad Ryland, P Bryce Baringer, LS Joe Cardona, ST Matthew Slater, ST Brenden Schooler
- Out: K Nick Folk, P Corliss Waitman, LS Tucker Addington
- PUP: ST Cody Davis
Finishing off the 53-man roster, Cardona, Slater, and Schooler should be considered locks for the roster. Ryland and Baringer will need to prove their worth but certainly have the inside track to win their jobs as they were both drafted with highly than usual draft capital for kickers/punters.
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