With two preseason games in the books, the Patriots’ 53-man roster is beginning to come into focus.
There are still battles raging across the roster, but with a pair of exhibition games under our belt and final cuts just nine days away, we’ve gotten quite a bit of data. So without further ado, here’s Chris Mason’s 53-man roster projection 2.0:
Quarterback (3)
IN: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton III
OUT: Bailey Zappe
Maye has shown enough growth in camp that the Patriots won’t be forced to keep Zappe on the roster as a break-glass-in-case-of-Brissett-injury option. Even if the No. 3 overall pick doesn’t win the starting job, he looks far enough along to serve as a capable backup.
Running back (4)
IN: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty
OUT: Deshaun Fenwick, Terrell Jennings
Stevenson and Gibson will get the bulk of the workload, but the speedy Hasty has put together a strong enough camp to steal the 53rd spot on the roster.
Tight end (2)
IN: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper
OUT: Mitchell Wilcox, Jaheim Bell, La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren
Behind Henry and Hooper, the Patriots still haven’t found their third tight end. Unless one of the competitors can really up their game in the next two weeks, it wouldn’t be a surprise for New England to find their third tight end on the waiver wire following final cuts.
Wide receivers (6)
IN: K.J. Osborn, DeMario Douglas, Javon Baker, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton
OUT: Kayshon Boutte, Kawaan Baker, JaQuae Jackson, David Wallis
PUP: Kendrick Bourne
In the wide receiver competition, Reagor has separated himself with his special teams ability. With kickoff returns becoming commonplace once again, he’s solidifying a roster spot. In the race for the final spot, Thornton barely edges Boutte. Wallis lands on the practice squad as a developmental project.
Offensive line (9)
IN: David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Mike Onwenu, Chukwuma Okorafor, Vederian Lowe, Layden Robinson, Caedan Wallace, Nick Leverett, Calvin Anderson
OUT: Michael Jordan, Zuri Henry, Charles Turner, Atonio Mafi, Liam Fornadel, Kellen Diesch
PUP: Cole Strange
While Jerod Mayo is still trying to find his best combination of five starting linemen, the depth at the position has come into focus thanks to his rotations.
Defensive tackle (6)
IN: Deatrich Wise, Davon Godchaux, Jeremiah Pharms, Daniel Ekuale, Trysten Hill, Mike Purcell
OUT: Armon Watts, Sam Roberts, Josiah Bronson
IR: Christian Barmore
The loss of Barmore is a major blow to this group’s top-end ability; there’s nobody on the roster than can replicate what the 25-year-old does on an every-down basis. However, Wise and Godchaux should keep this group from getting gashed on the ground.
Edge (4)
IN: Keion White, Anfernee Jennings, Joshua Uche, Oshane Ximines
OUT: William Bradley-King, Jotham Russell
Like Barmore at tackle, Matthew Judon leaves a major hole here, but the group is still solid thanks to Jennings’ breakout 2023 and White’s ascension. Nobody will replace Judon’s pass rush alone in 2024, but White should grow into a key piece for this defense.
Linebacker (5)
IN: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Christian Elliss, Raekwon McMillan, Joe Giles-Harris
OUT: Steele Chambers
PUP: Sione Takitaki
With Bentley and Tavai, New England’s off-ball linebackers boast a ton of veteran stability and should get another shot in the arm when Takitaki is able to come off the PUP list.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Jonathan Jones, Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, Marco Wilson, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden
OUT: Marcellas Dial Jr., Shaun Wade, Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor
Nobody has really seized the CB2 role on the boundary opposite Gonzalez, so Jon Jones will likely start the season there once again. It’s been a tough camp for Dial, but the sixth-rounder would be a strong practice squad candidate.
Safety (5)
IN: Jabrill Peppers, Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler
OUT: Joshuah Bledsoe, A.J. Thomas
IR: Marte Mapu
Peppers and Dugger should be one of the league’s best safety combinations, with Hawkins adding some depth. The undrafted Pettus is probably the most surprising player on this roster projection, but he earns the nod thanks to relentless consistency. The safety out of Troy isn’t perfect, but he continues to show up on the practice field on a daily basis.
Specialists (3)
IN: Joe Cardona, Bryce Baringer, Joey Slye
OUT: Chad Ryland, Tucker Addington
After a slow start to camp, Slye has shaken the rust off and really come on strong down the stretch. The bet here is that he ultimately wins the kicking competition with Ryland.
