The final cutdowns are just days away and Patriots fans are eager to see who will make the roster as we start the season. Insert my Patriots 2023 53-man roster projection 3.0. One final in-depth projection on who I think will make the roster.
Quarterback (2):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe
- Out: Trace McSorley, Malik Cunningham
Mac Jones is the Patriots starter and Bailey Zappe showed enough as a rookie to be considered a lock as the Patriots’ top backup. Cunningham showed some upside as a QB and has also been used as both a wide receiver and returner. It’s clear that Bill Belichick wants to explore every avenue of Cunningham’s talents but I don’t think he’ll make the initial 53-man roster. Similar to the Patriots’ pursuit of Cunningham as a UDFA, I’d expect they’ll be aggressive with their offer to get him on their practice squad if he clears waivers
Running Back (3):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Rhamondre Stevenson, Ezekiel Elliott, Pierre Strong
- Out: J.J. Taylor, CJ Marable, Kevin Harris, Ty Montgomery
Stevenson is your clear-cut RB1. Strong showed enough as a rookie to have an inside track on a roster spot. Ezekiel Elliot recently signed a one-year deal and offers a veteran complimentary option to Stevenson. Kevin Harris is an odd man out with a roster crunch at other positions.
Tight End (2):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki
- Out: Anthony Firkser, Scotty Washington, Johnny Lumpkin, Matt Sokol
Hunter Henry’s job is safe as the team’s top tight end. Mike Gesicki sustained a shoulder injury and his week one status is unknown at this point. Matt Sokol misses the cut but could be added back into the mix once the initial cut downs and the waiver wire process is completed.
Wide Receiver (6):
Embed from Getty Images- In: JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Tyquan Thornton
- Out: Raleigh Webb, Thyrick Pitts
- IR: Tre Nixon
Demario Douglas seems to be a roster lock at this point. Boutte sneaks in with one of the last roster spots. His physical attributes and upside are obvious. Tyquan Thronton has been deemed “week to week” with a shoulder injury. I have him making the initial roster but I think he’ll end up on the IR list to start the season. He would miss a minimum of the first four weeks of the season.
Offensive Line (9):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Trent Brown, Riley Reiff, Conor McDermott, Mike Onwenu, David Andrews, Cole Strange, Antonio Mafi, Jake Andrews, Sidy Sow
- Out: Andrew Stueber, Micah Vanterpool, James Ferentz, Chasen Hines, Bill Murray, Kody Russey
- NFI: Calvin Anderson
The three drafted rookie offensive linemen have shown enough to warrant a roster spot. This won’t be the most stellar group, but they will have some flexibility and options to work with. Look for the Patriots to make it a priority to keep Russey and Hines on the practice squad if they clear waivers.
Defensive Line (7):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Keion White, Deatrich Wise Jr, Lawrence Guy, Daniel Ekuale, Sam Roberts
- Out: Carl Davis, DeMarcus Mitchell, Justus Tavai, Jeremiah Pharms,
- PUP: Trey Flowers
Barmore, Godchaux, White, and Wise are the four locks for the roster. In my opinion, Lawrence Guy has a real chance to be a veteran causality but I do think he makes the cut. Daniel Ekuale was a solid rotational player in 2022 and looks to continue that. Taking the last spot here is the 2022 sixth-round pick, Sam Roberts. As a second-year player, he has shown flashes to deserve a roster spot.
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
This position has been the same for me all preseason and that doesn’t change here. The top eight here should be the final eight to make the roster. Matt Judon and Ja’Whuan Bentley lead the way as full-time players. Jahlani Tavai and Josh Uche should have significant roles and the rest will mix in early on.
Cornerback (6):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones, Marcus Jones, Christian Gonzalez, Myles Bryant, Isaiah Bolden
- Out: Shaun Wade, Quandre Mosely, Rodney Randle, Ameer Speed
Jack Jones, Marcus Jones, Jon Jones, and Christian Gonzalez are roster locks. Myles Bryant has enjoyed a solid training camp and should be deemed highly likely to make the cut. Similar to Thornton, Isaiah Bolden will make the initial roster but be put on IR before week one and free up a spot for ideally Ameer Speed to come back.
Safety (5):
Embed from Getty Images- In: Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabrill Peppers, Jalen Mills, Joshuah Bledsoe
- Out: Brad Hawkins
Dugger and Peppers should be considered locks for the roster, with Phillips and Mills close to it as well. Joshuah Bledsoe sneaks into one of the final roster 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 are locks for the roster. At this point, I’d be shocked if Ryland and Baringer didn’t win their jobs as they were both 2023 draft picks. Ideally, the Patriots can sell off Nick Folk via trade to a kicker-needy team.
Final Thoughts
As I mentioned above, if Bolden and Thornton end up on IR, I’d predict they’d turn to Speed, Cunningham, Sokol, or Chasen Hines to bring back on the 53-man roster. Those four were my final four cuts. The practice squad should be filled out with multiple tight ends, running backs, and linebackers as well.
For more sports content, visit Belly Up Sports and follow me on Twitter, @MattCouture5.
