Monday marks the first day of Patriots training camp with full pads and also the first day where select media members are able to be present.
This means there will be plenty of updates beginning this week.
It also seems like a good time for our first 53-man roster projection of the summer, which will continue over the next few weeks leading up until the 53-man roster needs to be submitted Sept. 5.
Here’s our first crack.
QUARTERBACK (3): Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer
Given the circumstances of the season and also Newton’s injury history, it would be no surprise if the Patriots went with three quarterbacks. Newton will in all likelihood be the starter, Stidham the backup and then Hoyer is the ideal person to have around having been in the Patriots organization for so many years.
RUNNING BACK (6): Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead, James White, Damien Harris, Lamar Miller, Jakob Johnson
Miller takes Brandon Bolden’s place on the roster after he opted out. Undrafted rookie J.J. Taylor could be a name to keep an eye on as a potential long-shot to make roster. With Dan Vitale opting out, that gives Johnson a good chance of making the roster as the team will surely utilize a fullback.
WIDE RECEIVER (7): Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, Mohamed Sanu, Damiere Byrd, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski, Matthew Slater
This position doesn’t have as much competition as it once did. UDFA's Jeff Thomas and Will Hastings are two other players who will be fighting to earn a spot on the roster, but there just might not be enough room in the end.
TIGHT END (3): Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene, Ryan Izzo
Do not be surprised to see an addition or two to this position before the start of the regular season. It needs a solid veteran to go along with the two rookies in Asiasi and Keene.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Isaiah Wynn, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Korey Cunningham, Jermaine Eluemunor, Yodny Cajuste, Tyler Gauthier
Like tight end, there could be another veteran added to this group, especially at right tackle. It’s also worth noting the game-day roster will have an additional two players from the practice squad and one likely will be an offensive lineman. That position could be heavy on the practice squad, so expect some players who miss out on the 53-man roster to slide onto the practice squad.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Lawrence Guy, Adam Butler, Beau Allen, Byron Cowart, John Simon, Deatrich Wise
This position is pretty straight forward since there isn’t much depth.
LINEBACKER (7): Ja’Whaun Bentley, Brandon Copeland, Chase Winovich, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Cassh Maluia, Scoota Harris
In what was one of the better positions on the roster last season, it will be one of the least deep this year following many departures this offseason and then Dont’a Hightower opting out. Right now, we have Harris as the only undrafted rookie to make the team and continue the Patriots’ streak. Also, Maluia is a late-round pick who could sneak onto the roster.
CORNERBACK (6): Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Joejuan Williams, Justin Bethel
This is the deepest position on the roster and really has no surprises. D’Angelo Ross is a solid player, but given all the talent ahead of him he has an uphill battle when it comes to making the team.
SAFETY (4): Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger, Cody Davis
Like linebacker, this position was impacted heavily this offseason with Duron Harmon being traded and Patrick Chung opting out. Terrence Brooks is certainly on the bubble, but with the additions of Phillips and Davis he is not on the roster in this projection.
SPECIALISTS (3): Joe Cardona, Jake Bailey, Justin Rohrwasser
No surprises at all here and likely will not change.
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