The Patriots have had 10 training camp practices so far, which means there have been plenty of opportunities for players to stand out in one way or another.
There are several competitive positions where battles for roster spots will continue right up until 53-man rosters are due, which is on Aug. 31. Things will really pick up beginning this week with the first preseason game against Washington and then joint practices and preseason games with the Eagles and Giants to come.
With that being said, here’s our first crack at a 53-man roster, which surely will change a few times between now and the end of the summer.
QUARTERBACK (3): Cam Newton, Mac Jones, Brian Hoyer
This is based off Newton being the Week 1 starter. If it goes to Jones, then the question becomes would Newton be OK with taking a backup role? Jarrett Stidham (back surgery) will likely start the year on PUP and then perhaps when he’s ready to return Hoyer could be let-go, or they could just keep Stidham on PUP all year.
RUNNING BACK (5): Damien Harris, Sony Michel, James White, Rhamondre Stevenson, Brandon Bolden
J.J. Taylor was a tough omission, but the team would likely welcome him back on the practice squad as long as he clears waivers. Bolden could be on the bubble, but his experience with the team in so many different roles will serve him well. Michel’s situation is worth watching as he could potentially be a trade candidate, but there are a lot of questions with these players, so it may serve the Patriots best to just keep him. Lastly, Stevenson seems primed for a red-shirt year.
TIGHT END/FULLBACK (4): Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Devin Asiasi, Jakob Johnson
Smith and Henry are obviously locks and we also feel Bill Belichick won’t go into a season without a fullback, which would keep Johnson around. Asiasi and Matt LaCosse seem to be competing for the final spot and LaCosse hasn’t done enough to overtake the second-year player. It's also tough to cut a player like Asiasi, who was selected so high a year ago.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, N’Keal Harry, Gunner Olszewski, Kristian Wilkerson
A lot could change at this position, especially at the backend. Harry, Wilkerson and Zuber appear to be battling for the final spots. There’s also always the potential for Harry to be traded, but it seems like there’s still a role for him on the team and he has a good attitude through the first few weeks. Wilkerson has shined in recent practices and has also done a good amount of special teams worth with Matthew Slater.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Isaiah Wynn, Michael Onwenu, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Trent Brown, Ted Karras, Justin Herron, Korey Cunningham
The starters are set for this unit, but it does seem like the backup roles could potentially be upgraded, and even from outside the organization. Karras is in like to be the primary interior backup, while Marcus Martin, Yodny Cajuste and James Ferentz are on the outside looking in right now. They could also be candidates for the practice squad. It's also possible nine players are kept at this position.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7): Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise, Carl Davis, Henry Anderson, Christian Barmore, Chase Winovich
This is another competitive position that has several veterans competing for roster spots. Right now, Byron Cowart, Akeem Spence, Tashawn Bower and Montravius Adams are on the outside looking in, but that could certainly change over the next few weeks. Bower is a sleeper to make the team given his versatility.
LINEBACKER (7): Dont’a Hightower, Matt Judon, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Kyle Van Noy, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Ronnie Perkins
This was a tough position to project, but made a little easier with Raekwon McMillan being out for the season with a torn ACL. Jennings is a difficult call given he was a third-round pick last year, but he may need to show more these next few weeks to earn a spot. Harvey Langi and Cassh Maluia are players fighting to earn one of the final spots.
CORNERBACK (5): Stephon Gilmore, JC Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Jalen Mills, Myles Bryant
This currently has third-year player Joejuan Williams being let go. The second-round pick just hasn’t done enough and with other versatile players in the secondary, his role is redundant. Michael Jackson figures to be competing with Bryant for the final spot, with the youngster holding a slight edge as of now.
SAFETY (3): Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger
No real questions here. Joshuah Bledsoe could spend the year on NFI and is future depth at the position.
SPECIALISTS/SPECIAL TEAMS (5): Jake Bailey, Joe Cardona, Nick Folk, Matthew Slater, Justin Bethel
The specialists seem set even though rookie Quinn Nordin has been impressive of late. He seems destined for the practice squad, though. This doesn’t have Brandon King or Cody Davis making the team, as with Slater, Bolden and Bethel there aren’t many open roster spots for strictly special-teamers.