With the first two weeks of New England Patriots training camp down, and the team currently on a two-day break following Friday’s in-stadium practice, now is a perfect time to take a stab at a 53-man roster projection. Obviously, Patriots fans are clamoring for the team to trade for the likes of a Terry McLaurin or Micah Parsons, but we’re going with the assumption that they don’t make either of those deals.
So, with that out of the way, let’s dive straight in.
Quarterback (2)
In: Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
Out: Ben
Wooldridge
This is the easiest position to predict on the entire current roster. I can’t imagine the Patriots keeping more than two quarterbacks, and Joshua Dobbs is almost certainly going to be the backup behind Drake Maye. I could see Ben Wooldridge sticking around on the practice squad to work as a scout team QB, though.
Running back (4)
In: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson, Lan Larison
Out: Terrell Jennings
IR: Brock Lampe
This comes down to numbers for me. I think the Patriots were planning on four backs with Brock Lampe being one of them. With the undrafted rookie fullback out for the season, however, they can afford to keep another back with plus receiving upside in Lan Larison. He has been flashing in camp, and if he looks tgr part in preseason, I don’t think he would make it through waivers and onto the practice squad.
The guy who might be on the chopping block, if they feel like Larison is a player they want to keep around long-term, is Antonio Gibson. There is a long way to go, but I think he sticks on this roster because of the experience, and because of Rhamondre Stevenson’s fumbling issues.
Wide receiver (6)
In: Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Javon Baker
Out: Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk, Efton Chism III, John Jiles, Jeremiah Webb
I think that the top five here are all but a guarantee to be on this team, including both Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins. Boutte has the chemistry with Drake Maye, and Hollins was brought in for a specific role, and I don’t believe that anyone else on the roster fits it. That means it might come down to one roster spot, and I’m giving it to Javon Baker here.
There are a few reasons for that, but the biggest might be his play on special teams. He has been the primary gunner across from Brenden Schooler on the punt team all training camp and also might factor into the kickoff returner mix. His willingness to play there, combined with his ability to make big plays as an outside receiver, is enough to get him onto the roster.
As for Ja’Lynn Polk and Efton Chism, who I think have the best shot of making the team instead of Baker, neither of them play a big special teams role, and both have failed to make enough of a splash in camp to propel them up the depth chart. Kendrick Bourne, meanwhile, seems to be the odd guy out here after having worked almost exclusively with the second unit this summer. He also left the in-stadium practice with an injury, which doesn’t help things either.
Tight end (3)
In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover
Out: Jaheim Bell, C.J. Dippre, Gee Scott Jr., Tyler Davis, Cole Fotheringham
Hunter Henry and Austin Hopper are locks, but the third tight end spot is up for grabs. I think it ends up going to Jack Westover, who has been working as the top backup at TE, and who also has stepped in at fullback since Brock Lampe was lost for the year. Is there a chance that one of the other guys steps in to take that role? Yes, but I doubt it.
C.J. Dippre is the best in-line blocker the Patriots have, and Gee Scott Jr. has flashed multiple times as a receiver in camp, but I don’t think that either of them have done enough to warrant the Patriots keeping a fourth tight end. The same is true for the recent signings.
Offensive tackle (4)
In: Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Marcus Bryant, Vederian Lowe
Out: Demontrey Jacobs, Jack Conley
IR: Yasir Durant
The top two here are obvious, and Marcus Bryant has been working with the second unit at left tackle, and has looked good enough to prove that he belongs on the roster as a backup. I put Vederian Lowe on here because he’s the best of the rest on the roster, even though he is currently on the physically unable to perform list and a clear downgrade as a right tackle, which would leave the Patriots without a reliable backup at that spot. The truth is, however, that the backup at right tackle may not be on the roster right now anyway, unless Jack Conley or Demontrey Jacobs take big steps forward. I know that Jacobs has gotten a lot of reps, but they haven’t been particularly encouraging, so I can’t give him a roster spot right now.
Interior offensive line (6)
In: Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Garrett Bradbury, Cole Strange, Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson
Out: Ben Brown, Sidy Sow, Tyrese Robinson, Alec Linstrom, Mehki Butler
It seems that Jared Wilson has won the left guard spot, which leaves the center competition up to Garrett Bradbury, Cole Strange and Ben Brown. I think that Bradbury will win the job, and that Strange has the flexibility to play both guard and center, which gives him a leg up on a roster spot.
Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson are both in their second year and have shown some promise at times, perhaps enough to warrant them getting a roster spot. Wallace has struggled at times, so there’s definitely a chance that one of the other guys makes it over him, while Robinson seemed to be behind Sidy Sow on the depth chart before the latter got banged up. For now, though, I have both on the roster.
Interior defensive line (5)
In: Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Out: Jahvaree Ritzie, Jaquelin Roy, Isaiah Iton, David Olajida*
This position looks to be one of the strengths of the team this year. Christian Barmore and Milton Williams at the top have a chance to be a dominant pair, and Khyiris Tonga has played pretty well in the middle in camp. Joshua Farmer is a rookie with a good amount of potential and Jeremiah Pharms Jr. has shown the ability to rush the passer at the NFL level.
Beyond those five, I think that Isaiah Iton is going to make the practice squad, and has a chance to make a push for the roster as well. David Olajida does not count against the roster, because of his participation in the International Player Pathway Program, so he could end up as an exempt 17th practice squad member.
Defensive edge (6)
In: Harold Landry III, Keion White, K’Lavon Chaisson, Truman Jones, Anfernee Jennings, Bradyn Swinson
Out: Elijah Ponder
I have almost everyone making it here. Offseason award winner Truman Jones has been thrust into the starting lineup with Keion White being out the last practice and a half, and has held his own. Anfernee Jennings might not be the best scheme fit for what the Patriots want to do, but he’s had a good camp and is a smart player who I think makes the team better.
The line projected cut, Elijah Ponder, has looked fine at times, and I think could end up on the practice squad.
Linebacker (3)
In: Robert Spillane, Jack Gibbens, Christian Elliss
Out: Jahlani Tavai, Marte Mapu, Monty Rice, R.J. Moten
I have the Patriots only keeping three inside linebackers here, because I think that these are the only three worth keeping. Marte Mapu is finally getting reps at linebacker, where he belongs, but he hasn’t shown much in camp. Jahlani Tavai just doesn’t fit into the defense that Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams want to run, and Montee Rice and R.J. Moten are far down the depth chart.
It’s possible that the Patriots add another player before the season starts, but, as it stands right now, Robert Spillane, Jack Gibbens, Christian Elliss make the most sense for the roster.
Cornerback (6)
In: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, D.J. James, Alex Austin, Marcellas Dial Jr.
Out: Miles Battle, Kobee Minor, Brandon Crossley, Isaiah Bolden, Jordan Polk
The top of the cornerback position is pretty locked in, while D.J. James has flashed to the point that he seems to be a safe bet to make the team. Alex Austin has looked solid and seems to be headed for the 53 as well.
That leaves another spot up for grabs, and I think that it goes to Marcellas Dial Jr. He is a core special teamer and additionally has performed pretty well in a backup role on defense. That should make him more valuable than any of the other guys at the position.
Safety (5)
In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Craig Woodson, Marcus Epps, Brenden Schooler
Out: Dell Pettus, Josh Minkins
Top to bottom, the safety room might be the deepest on the roster. Dell Pettus, for example, had some solid flashes last season, but I don’t know if there is a spot for him on this roster with the additions of Craig Woodson and Marcus Epps. I also have Brenden Schooler listed here instead of on special teams because the “Longhorn” package was something that worked well last year, so I think Schooler has earned the safety label.
Specialists (3)
In: Andres Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby
Out: Parker Romo
The only competition here looks to be at kicker, and it seems to be a true competition. In the end, I think the Patriots will end up keeping rookie Andres Borregales and hope that Parker Romo makes it onto the practice squad, because I don’t think the opposite will happen.
More from patspulpit.com:
- WATCH: New Patriots WR Brandin Cooks makes ridiculous one-handed grab against the Jaguars
- Patriots release first depth chart of the season; list Mike Gilleslee as the number five running back
- Patriots-Jaguars Monday joint practice notes: WR Brandin Cooks puts on a show
- Patriots 2017 training camp: 08/07 live news feed, updates and open thread
- New England Patriots links 8/07/17 - Pats-Jags joint practices kick off preseason
- Former Patriots, Texans NT Vince Wilfork announces retirement
- Patriots 2017 training camp: Four things to watch during joint practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars
