The Patriots open training camp today but we are already looking to the end of August when final cuts have to be made. There could be some surprise names on the waiver wire come the end of this summer.
With the addition of several high profile free agents, many of established veterans on the roster could find themselves on the bubble and possibly cut.
Here are seven veterans that are possible cut candidates by the end of training camp.
1. N’Keal Harry, WR: Harry’s agent requested a trade earlier this summer but the Patriots did not oblige. Harry will report to camp and get one more opportunity to prove he belongs on this roster. If he struggles in camp, the Patriots could trade him for a late round pick or just release him. Up until this point, Harry has been a bust and that’s why he finds himself on the bubble.
2. Sony Michael, RB: The Patriots did not pick up Michael’s fifth year option which tells you how they view him long term. They do not see him as a part of their future plans. The plan is to have Michael split carries with Damien Harris but with the addition of rookie Rhamondre Stevenson and with J.J Taylor, James White and Tyler Gaffney also in the roster, Michael is no lock to be the second running back. He will need a strong camp to secure those carries and stay off the bubble.
3. Ja’Whaun Bentley, ILB: Bentley is a Belichick favorite and a long shot to get cut but he struggled last season. Part of the reason he struggled was he didn’t have the talent around him that he had in 2019. With Kyle Van Noy and Dont’a Hightower back, Bentley should be better but he will need a strong camp to fend off Raekwon McMillan and Terez Hall for the starting MIKE backer spot. Both of those guys offer a little more in terms of scheme versatility.
4. Byron Cowart, DT: Cowart recently talked about Tom Brady’s return to Foxboro and how he won’t be warmly greeted. I found those comments interesting because they are coming from a player who is currently on the PUP list and far from a lock to make the team.
Depending on what the Patriots do from a front standpoint, Cowart could be the odd man out. The Patriots struggled to stop the run last season and Belichick addressed the issue by adding nose tackle Davon Godchaux, defensive end Henry Anderson and defensive tackle Montravius Adams in free agency and he drafted defensive tackle Christian Barmore with a second round pick. All of those guys are bigger than Cowart and are better scheme fits. Cowart could potentially fill the Adam Butler interior pass rusher role but he will need a good camp in order to beat these guys out and secure that role.
5. Brandon Bolden, RB: Bolden opted out of last season due to COVID-19 and is a long time Belichick favorite but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him be one of the last cuts. He is scheduled to earn almost $2 million dollars which might be too much money for a special teamer and fifth string running back.
6. Dalton Keene, TE: With the signings of Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, Belichick sent a loud and clear message that the team was starting over at tight end. Keene had an injury riddled rookie season. Despite that, he offers scheme versatility and can play special teams. His best shot at making the roster might be as a fullback.
The Patriots will carry three tight ends but Devin Asiasi and Matt LaCosse probably have the edge over Keene for the third tight end spot. Keene will need to have an exceptional camp and prove he can help the team out in other ways or he could be on the outside looking in.
7. JoeJuan Williams, CB: The addition of Jalen Mills could make Willians expendable because Mills can play corner or safety and is more experienced than Williams. The Patriots spent a second round pick on Williams and while he has flashed potential at times, he has also had some legal problems off the field and he’s been inconsistent. Belichick loves hybrid corner, safety types so Williams has a good shot at making the team. But, the Patriots are deep in the secondary so it is far from a given.
It is never easy for NFL general managers and coaches to make decisions on who to cut, especially when it comes to veteran players. The Patriots roster is talented and Belichick has built up good depth. That is why some of the established players on this roster could potentially end up getting cut.
It will be interesting to see if Belichick is willing to move on from some of these players. It is never easy to admit that you may have missed on a player.