After 20 days of practice, training camp ended on Friday. Ahead of the Patriots preseason finale against the Washington Commanders, several roster bubble players have made strong cases for spots on the team’s 53-man roster.
The NFL’s league-wide cut-down day is on Tuesday. This is where teams go from 90 players to 53. There will be hundreds of transactions as dreams are made and dashed.
This summer, the Patriots had several players step up and establish themselves. They had other roster-bubble players surpass expectations. As always, there will be a surprise or two on cut-down day. Here’s a look at Mark Daniels’ 53-man roster projection:
Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton III
CUT: Bailey Zappe
This seems clear-cut. Brissett was signed to start for the Patriots and allow them to develop Maye at a slower pace. Here, we cut Zappe and keep Milton, an interesting developmental prospect. Zappe will benefit from a change of scenery.
Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, JaMychal Hasty
CUT: Terrell Jennings
Patriots players have told us this summer that they will be a ‘run-first team.’ For that reason, we’re keeping four running backs. Stevenson could be the biggest winner of Alex Van Pelt’s system. Look for him to be the most fantasy-relevant player on this roster.
Demario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Ja’Lynn Polk, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor, Javon Baker
CUT: Kayshon Boutte, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis, Matt Landers
PUP: Kendrick Bourne
The Patriots had an interesting roster battle at receiver this summer. Thornton worked his way in with the starters almost immediately and felt like a roster lock along with Douglas and Osborn. Polk had a very encouraging summer. He looks like a keeper. Reagor had a solid camp and should be the Patriots kickoff returner. Baker didn’t finish well and needs to work on his consistency. We cut Boutte here since he rarely received starter reps – unlike the others mentioned.
Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell
CUT: Mitchell Wilcox, LaMichael Pettway, Jacob Warren
The Patriots are going to utilize both Henry and Hooper a ton this season – as long as they stay healthy. The battle for the third tight-end spot was interesting. Wilcox fizzled down the stretch this summer and Bell did the opposite. The seventh-round pick looks like a special athlete.
David Andrews, Michael Onwenu, Sidy Sow, Chuks Okorafor, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson, Nick Leverett, Michael Jordan
CUT: Calvin Anderson, Atonio Mafi, Liam Fornade, Kellen DIesch, Zuri Henry, Charles Turner
PUP: Cole Strange
We’re still not sure who will start for the Patriots on the offensive line other than Andrews (center) and Sidy Sow (left guard). Onwenu finished camp at right tackle and was next to Robinson (right guard). Okorafor was at left tackle this past week. Lowe and Wallace give them enough depth at tackle, so we cut Anderson. Leverett is the top backup center. Jordan was used as an extra tight end in jumbo sets throughout camp.
Keion White, Deatrich Wise, Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche, Davon Godchaux, Oshane Ximines, Jeremiah Pharms, Trysten Hill, Daniel Ekuale
CUT: William Bradley-King, Jotham Russell, Sam Roberts, Armon Watts, Josiah Bronson
IR: Christian Barmore
This group has changed a lot after the trade of Judon and the blood clot diagnosis to Barmore. The Patriots will rely heavily on Godchaux to anchor the interior. Pharms, Hill, and Ximines were three of the bigger surprises of this camp. White looks like he could be bound for a breakout season. It could also be a big year for Uche, Wise, and Jennings.
Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Raekwon McMillan, Joe Giles-Harris, Christian Elliss
CUT: Steele Chambers, Kobe Jones, Christian McCarroll
PUP: Sione Takitaki
Losing Takitaki (on PUP) is a blow, but the Patriots have solid depth with Bentley and Tavai alone. McMillan played well in the preseason after missing two of the last three years due to knee injuries. Giles-Harris also worked his way into the starting lineup during camp. Elliss looks like a core special teamer.
Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Marco Wilson, Isaiah Bolden
CUT: Shaun Wade, Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor, Marcellus Dial
Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, and Marcus Jones have always been the obvious top three cornerbacks on this roster. The battle after them, however, was solid this summer. Austin and Wilson both established themselves as the best of the backups. Bolden has the versatility to play inside and outside. He’s also a core special teamer. Dial was a tough cut, but six cornerbacks are already a lot.
Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler
CUT: Joshuah Bledsoe, A.J. Thomas
IR: Marte Mapu
Dugger and Peppers are two of the best players on this Patriots defense. They’ve also taken on more leadership roles this offseason. Hawkins is a natural free safety – unlike Dugger and Peppers. Pettus was the best undrafted free agent in Foxborough this offseason and it wasn’t close. Schooler is a core special teamer, who could play safety in an emergency situation.
Joey Slye, Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona
CUT: Chad Ryland, Tucker Addington
The kicker competition was fierce – and at times, inconsistent – this summer. In the end, Slye was more consistent than Ryland, who was drafted in the fourth round just a year ago. Ryland showed some improvements this camp but had a rough practice last week where he went 1-of-4. Slye, 28, should give the Patriots better consistency from the kicker position this season.
