The Patriots cut their roster down to 53 players on Saturday. There were quite a few surprises. Here are some thoughts on who the Patriots kept and who they didn’t.

1. Keeping Gunner Olszewski over Demaryius Thomas was a surprise but there are two things to keep in mind. One: Olszewski is versatile. He can play in 10 personnel packages and special teams. Two: Thomas didn’t get activated until last week. While he played well against the Giants, he is nothing more than being a fourth receiver. Belichick wants versatility out of the bottom third of his roster. Olszewski offers more of that right now.

Thomas did end up re-signing with the Patriots on Monday. He will take N’Keal Harry’s spot on the roster. Harry is starting the season on I.R.

2. Add Duke Dawson to the list of wasted Patriots second round picks. Dawson and Keion Crossen were both traded this past weekend. Dawson to the Broncos and Crossen to the Texans.

The Patriots got a sixth round pick from the Broncos for Dawson and a seventh rounder. That’s terrible! Why trade him to begin with? I know the Patriots are deep at the cornerback position but that could change next off-season with Jonathan Jones being a free agent and the potential retirement of the McCourty’s (Devin hinted at that this off-season). Giving up on Dawson after one season seems senseless to me.

3. I am a little surprised the Patriots are carrying five safeties. I know Belichick and the coaching staff like Obi Melifonwu but with depth being an issue at other positions, why carry five safeties?

4. Going with Jarrett Stidham over Brian Hoyer as the back up to Tom Brady is risky but Stidham proved that he is more than capable of being the back up to Brady. Now the Patriots have to hope he doesn’t play this season.

5. The only two tight ends on the roster right now are Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo. Something tells me Belichick is not done addressing this position. He has got to have something up his sleeve.