The Patriots have to their roster down from 80 to 53 by tomorrow afternoon. Bill Belichick and Matt Groh can go in a variety of directions here. It is never easy to pinpoint exactly what they will do but we will give it a shot. Here goes.
Offense
QB’s (2)
Mac Jones
Brian Hoyer
Thoughts: Jones and Hoyer are obvious locks but I don’t think Zappe is. Despite having his moments this preseason, I don’t see him making the team. The Patriots don’t need to carry a third quarterback and can use the roster spot at another position. The team will likely try to get Zappe on the practice squad.
RB’s (5)
Damien Harris
Rhamondre Stevenson
Ty Montgomery
Pierre Strong
J.J Taylor
Thoughts: Harris and Stevenson are locks. Montgomery’s status is still up in the air but if he avoids I.R, he’s a lock. Strong makes the team which means the final spot will come down to Kevin Harris and Taylor. I would keep Harris if I had to decide between the two but I think the Patriots will keep Taylor and try to put Harris on the practice squad.
WR’s (5)
Kendrick Bourne
Nelson Agholor
Jakobi Meyers
DeVante Parker
Tyquan Thornton
Thoughts: I know there is a fervor for Lil’Jordan Humphrey to make this team but I have him coming back once Thornton ends up on I.R. Bourne, Meyers, Agholor and Parker are locks. The only other receiver that warrants consideration is Tre Nixon. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots bring him back on the practice squad.
TE’s (3)
Hunter Henry
Jonnu Smith
Devin Asiasi
Thoughts: I think the Patriots will carry three tight ends because they can use Asiasi as a move tight end. He line up anywhere in the formation and be used as a lead blocker. Henry and Smith are guaranteed to make the roster so there is no intrigue here.
OL (8)
Trent Brown
Michael Onwenu
David Andrews
Cole Strange
Isaiah Wynn
Justin Herron
Yodny Cajuste
Kody Russey
Thoughts: Given the Patriots issues along the offensive line this preseason, I can see the Patriots opting to carry an extra offensive lineman and going with eight. The starting five are locked barring a Wynn trade. The next three in my opinion are Herron, Cajuste and Russey who I think gets the edge over James Ferentz because he’s bigger. Don’t be surprised however if Ferentz, Arlington Hambright or Bill Murray end up on the practice squad.
Defense
DL (5)
Christian Barmore
Davon Godchaux
Deatrich Wise
Lawrence Guy
LaBryan Ray
Thoughts: This was a tough group to figure out after the top three. Obviously Barmore, Godchaux and Guy are in but I have guys like Henry Anderson and Sam Roberts getting squeezed out by veteran Deatrich Wise and rookie LaBryan Ray who offers scheme versatility in both a 30 and 40 front.
LB’s (7)
Matthew Judon
Josh Uche
Ja’Whaun Bentley
Raekwon McMillan
Mack Wilson Sr.
Anfernee Jennings
Harvey Langi
Thoughts: The EDGE guys are all locked in. Jennings was the only real surprise. He’s had a good camp and makes the team as a result.
Inside linebacker is where it was hard to figure out who stays and who goes. Bentley, McMillan and Wilson were sure things. I opted for Langi over Tavai and McGrone because of his experience and special teams experience.
S (5)
Devin McCourty
Adrian Phillips
Jabrill Peppers
Kyle Dugger
Joshuah Bledsoe
Thoughts: Safety was the easiest position of any to forecast. The versatility and the ability to play in all three levels is something all five of these guys do. They are the backbone of this defense.
CB’s (6)
Jalen Mills
Jonathan Jones
Terrance Mitchell
Marcus Jones
Jack Jones
Shaun Wade
Thoughts: There is a lot of disagreement on the cornerback position. I have the Patriots carrying six corners and opting to keep some size on the roster in Mitchell and Wade. Belichick likes bigger boundary corners who have length. Mitchell and Wade bring that to the table as does Mills.
Despite my projection, I can see a couple of surprises at this position. Cornerback is wide open after Mills and the Jones boys.
Special Teams (7)
Nick Folk
Jake Bailey
Joe Cardona
Matthew Slater
Cody Davis
Justin Bethel
Brendan Schooler
Thoughts: The only surprise here is Schooler who has had a great camp and deserves to make the roster.
Practice Squad
Arlington Hambright, OT
Cameron McGrone, ILB
James Ferentz, OG
Bailey Zappe, QB
Kristian Wilkerson, WR
DeMarcus Russell, DE
Kevin Harris, RB
Carl Davis, DT
Tre Nixon, WR
Lil Jordan Humphrey, WR
Chasen Hines, OG
Matt Sokol, TE
William Sherman, OT
Bill Murray, OG
Jahlani Tavai, LB
Sam Roberts, DE