6 rings: projecting the patriots 53 man roster
The Patriots' preseason has officially come to a close. After their 23-7 loss to the Titans on Friday, they'll head home to Foxborough and, unfortunately, part ways with 36 players by this coming Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Using what we've seen over the course of three preseason games and 17+ practices, here's a final prediction of what the Patriots' roster will look like following cut down day:
Quarterbacks (2): Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe
Out: Malik Cunningham (R), Trace McSorley
After Mac Jones didn’t play a single snap on Friday night, it’s clear he’s the starter. With Zappe playing the majority of the contest, it's clear that he's the back up. Lucky for him, he's that much better than Trace McSorley.
As for Malik Cunningham, while the experiment was a fun one, there unfortunately just isn't enough room for him on the roster right now. The Taysom Hill comp., while intriguing, is disingenuous to the 6-foot-0, 195-pound gadget player. He’s not a great receiver and he’s too small to have an impact on special teams. His four plays per game as a wildcat quarterback aren’t worth an initial spot on the team. The former Louisville Cardinal, if he clears waivers, will end up on the practice squad.
Running Backs (4): Ezekiel Elliott, Ty Montgomery, Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong Jr.
Out: Kevin Harris, C.J. Marable, JJ Taylor
The Patriots running back room is an interesting one. Outside of Ezekiel Elliott and Rhamondre Stevenson, the rest of the room is a question mark.
I originally had Ty Montgomery off of the roster but, after seeing him not in uniform and sitting out with the rest of New England’s starters, it’s hard for me to think that they would keep him healthy just to cut him.
As for the fourth spot, I'm going with Pierre Strong Jr. He impressed against the Titans rushing for 31 yards on eight carries and adding 13 yards through the air on two catches. The 2022 fourth-round pick looks ready for a role. Both JJ Taylor and Kevin Harris are guys they can get on their practice squad following waivers.
Wide Receivers (6): Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte (R), Demario Douglas (R), DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton
Out: Thyrick Pitts (R), Raleigh Webb
Congratulations to Kayshon Boutte who, after playing just one drive on offense and taking one rep as a kick returner, sat out the remained of Friday night’s game. All signs point to him making the team.
They wind up keeping six wide receivers for the first time in a while with Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, DeVante PArker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton rounding out the room.
Tight Ends (2): Mike Gesicki, Hunter Henry
Out: Anthony Firkser, Johnny Lumpkin (R), Matt Sokol, Scotty Washington
With Mike Gesicki returning to practice this week in Foxborough, Matt Sokol falls off the roster. New England keeps two tights ends on the initial roster for the second year in a row.
Hunter Henry didn’t dress on Friday night after an injury at the end of Wednesday’s practice. I’d expect but he and Gesicki to be ready for week one.
New England should be able to get any one of Firsker, Lumpkin, Sokol, or Washington onto their practice squad if they so choose.
Offensive Line (10): David Andrews, Jake Andrews (R), Trent Brown, Chasen Hines, Atonio Mafi (R), Conor McDermott, Mike Onwenu, Riley Reiff, Sidy Sow (R), Cole Strange
Out: Calvin Anderson, James Ferentz, Bill Murray, Kody Russey, Andrew Stueber, Micah Vanterpool
The Patriots need all the help they can get along the offensive line. Luckily, they got some reinforcements back this week with Michael Onwenu being activated off of PUP.
That luck immediately reverted when guard/tackle Riley Reiff got hurt on Friday night, throwing yet another wrench into the room. While I'm keeping him on the roster for now, I'm also adding Chasen Hines (who was awesome on Friday, by the way) to the interior rotation to help bolster the depth across the board.
Defensive Line (6): Christian Barmore, Daniel Ekuale, Davon Godchaux, Sam Roberts, Keion White (R), Deatrich Wise Jr.
Out: Carl Davis, Lawrence Guy, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Justus Tavai (R)
Spoiler alert: I think there’s a real chance Lawrence Guy is either traded or released by Tuesday. The long-time Patriot has been a mainstay along the defensive line since 2017, but he’s unhappy with his contract and New England continues to show that they want defensive line help from outside the building. His days in Foxborough may be numbered.
As for the rest of the room, no real surprises. Sam Roberts makes the initial 53 for the second year in a row after two solid performances over the last two weeks in Green Bay and Nashville.
Linebackers (8): Ja’Whaun Bentley, Chris Board, Anfernee Jennings, Marte Mapu (R), Calvin Munson, Matthew Judon, Jahlani Tavai, Josh Uche
Out: Diego Fagot, Trey Flowers, Joe Giles-Harris, Ronnie Perkins, Carson Wells, Mack Wilson
The one addition here is Calvin Munson, who is going to make this football team.
Not only has Munson been plugged in all over the Patriots' special teams units this summer, but he had a great game at linebacker in Tennessee on Friday notching 10 tackles and an interception.
The rest of the room is chalk. The play of Marte Mapu both inside and outside of the box on Friday makes Mack Wilson expendable.
Cornerbacks (6): Isaiah Bolden, Myles Bryant, Christian Gonzalez (R), Jack Jones, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones
Out: Quandre Mosely, Rodney Randle, Ameer Speed, Shaun Wade
An addition from last week. I think they're going to keep Isaiah Bolden on the 53-man roster, who thankfully only suffered a concussion in last week's game against the Packers. Outside of him, it's the same five as Roster 2.0. Myles Bryant, while polarizing, is a lock to make the roster and Gonzalez and the Joneses aren’t going anywhere.
As for Shaun Wade, the third year cornerback out of Ohio State really come on over the last few weeks while taking reps at slot corner. If he clears waivers, he’ll be back in New England on the practice squad.
Safeties (4): Kyle Dugger, Jalen Mills, Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips
Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, Brad Hawkins
The best safety group in football has no changes for the third consecutive week. Dugger, Mills, Peppers, and Phillips will be the core of the room.
Rookie linebacker Marte Mapu made his NFL debut on Friday and while he’s officially listed as a linebacker, started the game at safety and will be used as a chess piece in the back end of New England’s defense.
Specialists (5): Bryce Baringer (R), Joe Cardona, Chad Ryland (R), Brenden Schooler, Matthew Slater
Out: Cody Davis, Nick Folk, Corliss Waitman
While the idea of two kickers was fun, the logistics of it just don't work. I'd be shocked if the Patriots can't find a trade parter for Nick Folk by Tuesday.
The rookies Ryland and Baringer take over kicking duties, Cardona's on the snap, and Schooler and Slater remain as core specialists.
LAST THREE ON: Ty Montgomery, Calvin Munson, Sam Roberts
LAST THREE OFF: Joshuah Bledsoe, Lawrence Guy, Shaun Wade
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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