We’re through the first preseason game for the New England Patriots and we’re quickly seeing what the rookie class is capable of being. Second-round pick, Keion White, made a strong first impression, as have multiple other rookies in recent weeks. Though not a lot has changed since my last projection, there were a few adjustments made and the window has opened for potentially a few more before the NFL final cut-down date in late August. Take a look at my Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection 2.0.
Quarterback (2):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe
- Out: Trace McSorley, Malik Cunningham
Mac Jones is the Patriots starter and not playing in the first preseason game confirmed that. Bailey Zappe showed enough as a rookie to be considered a lock as the Patriots’ top backup to start the season. Cunningham showed some promise in the first preseason game but at this moment, he’s still on the outside looking in.
Running Back (3):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Rhamondre Stevenson, Ezekiel Elliott, Pierre Strong
- Out: J.J. Taylor, Kevin Harris, CJ Marable, Ty Montgomery
Stevenson is your clear-cut RB1. Strong showed enough as a rookie to have an inside track to a roster spot. Ezekiel Elliot recently signed a one-year deal and offers a veteran complimentary option to Stevenson. Kevin Harris misses the cut
Tight End (2):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki
- Out: Matt Sokol, Anthony Firkser, Scotty Washington, Johnny Lumpkin
The past two weeks of Patriots camp and preseason showed a few things and one is that they will have a roster crunch at other positions. There’s a clear-cut top two tight ends here and there’s no need to roster a third. They can rotate elevating a third tight end from the practice squad each week if they prefer a third option on game day.
Wide Receiver (6):
Embed from Getty Images- In: JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte
- Out: Tre Nixon, Raleigh Webb
The past two weeks have shown a lot at this position. The most notable is that Demario “Pop” Douglas seems to be closing in on being a roster lock. It won’t be easy for the team to carry six WRs but I think thats the right path at the moment. Boutte sneaks in with the last spot here as I don’t see him clearing waivers. I wouldn’t be shocked if the “Foxboro Flu” hits Thornton or Boutte and they start the season on the PUP list.
Offensive Tackle (5):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Trent Brown, Riley Reiff, Calvin Anderson, Conor McDermott, Sidy Sow
- Out: Andrew Stueber, Micah Vanterpool
No changes here from my last projection. The Patriots will ride with quantity over quality at the tackle position. Sidy Sow had a shaky week one of the preseason but that shouldn’t keep him from earning a roster spot.
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
Same as the tackle position, the Patriots’ offensive line is probably set barring an unexpected development. The only question mark is if they will trust having two rookies as their primary backups for the interior offensive line. It wouldn’t be shocking to see someone like Jake Andrews put on IR for the season, which would open up a roster spot for Kody Russey or James Ferentz.
Defensive Line (6):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Keion White, Deatrich Wise Jr, Lawrence Guy, Daniel Ekuale
- Out: Carl Davis, Trey Flowers, DeMarcus Mitchell, Justus Tavai, Jeremiah Pharms, Sam Roberts
Barmore, Godchaux, White, and Wise are the four borderline locks for the roster. After that, the Patriots could go in a variety of directions but at the moment, I think Guy and Ekuale make the 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, Diego Fagot
- IR: Raekwon McMillan
No change here. The linebacker position is pretty clear, in my opinion. I’d be surprised if this group isn’t the final core that they go with in week one.
Cornerback (7):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones, Marcus Jones, Christian Gonzalez, Myles Bryant, Isaiah Bolden, Ameer Speed
- Out: Shaun Wade, Quandre Mosely, Rodney Randle
The secondary has been filled with competition early in camp. Marcus Jones, Jon Jones, and Christian Gonzalez are roster locks. Jack Jones will be as well depending on his off-field issues. Myles Bryant likely has an inside track on a roster spot, at the moment. The change from my last mock here is that Ameer Speed makes the cut. He likely won’t see many cornerback snaps for a while, but he is a proven quality college special teams player and can help there early on for the Patriots.
Safety (4):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabrill Peppers, Jalen Mills
- Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, Brad Hawkins
Dugger and Peppers should be considered locks for the roster, with Phillips and Mills close to it as well. At the moment, I don’t have Bledsoe making the cut as Speed takes his spot. He will have the chance to show his worth with an opening at free safety. He will battle 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 have looked good so far and have the inside track to win their jobs as they were both drafted with highly than usual draft capital for kickers/punters. Ideally, the Patriots can sell off Nick Folk via trade to a kicker-needy team.
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