On Tuesday, NFL rosters need to be trimmed to 85 players, which means we’re getting closer and closer to final 53-man rosters come Aug. 31.
Relating to the Patriots, they have had their first preseason game and one joint practice with the Eagles, so there’s been plenty of chances for players to show what they have and prove they are deserving of a spot.
With that being said, there are a number of competitive positions that will come down to the final day.
Here’s version 2.0 of our 53-man roster projection for the Patriots (click here for 1.0).
QUARTERBACK (3): Cam Newton, Mac Jones, Brian Hoyer
No changes here, as it feels like the Patriots will roll with three quarterbacks to start the year. With that being said, if Jones is cemented as the starter and Newton isn’t playing all that much, we could see a scenario where he’s let go early in the year.
RUNNING BACK (5): Damien Harris, Sony Michel, James White, Rhamondre Stevenson, Brandon Bolden
J.J. Taylor is still on the outside looking in, as it seems unlikely six players would be kept at this position and it’s hard to cut any of the other five. Stevenson had an impressive preseason game, but we still feel like he’s on a red-shirt year path. Harris is still the lead back, but Michel has been impressive as well, including catching passes out of the backfield. There were some questions with White early in camp, but he’s looked like his old self the last week or so.
TIGHT END/FULLBACK (5): Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Devin Asiasi, Matt LaCosse, Jakob Johnson
Injuries have hit both Smith and Henry, so depth has to be a concern. That is why we’re going with four true tight ends instead of three. If this happens it’s likely the wide receiver position would lose a roster spot, which is what happened in this case.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, N’Keal Harry, Gunner Olszewski,
Kristian Wilkerson is one of our last players cut, as he’s had some rough practices of late with some dropped passes. Obviously, this could change but for right now he’s off our roster. This position could prove to be an issue this season. In the game against Washington, they all struggled to create separation and make plays for the quarterbacks. Ever since training camp began it’s felt like this is a position that is one player short.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Isaiah Wynn, Michael Onwenu, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Trent Brown, Ted Karras, James Ferentz, Justin Herron
One change from version 1.0 has Ferentz replacing Korey Cunningham. The depth at tackle has been less than, but with Onwenu’s versatility it makes sense to go heavier on the inside. Players like Marcus Martin and Yodny Cajuste haven’t shown anything to this point to deserve a spot on the team. It also wouldn’t be a surprise to see the team add to this position from the waiver wire.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7): Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise, Carl Davis, Tashawn Bower, Christian Barmore, Chase Winovich
We have a surprise cut here in Henry Anderson. It is notable he has a $3 million dead cap hit, but the team has a ton of depth at this position and the veteran has seemed overmatched at several points this summer with other players coming on stronger. Davis and Bower have had strong camps to this point to prove they are deserving of making the team. This certainly could change over the next few weeks, but this is how we see it right now.
LINEBACKER (7): Dont’a Hightower, Matt Judon, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Kyle Van Noy, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Ronnie Perkins
No changes here, although Jennings’ status is worth keeping an eye on. He’s been missing from practice of late and there’s always the potential for him to end up on some kind of season-ending list, which would free up a roster spot. Cassh Maluia and Harvey Langi haven’t done enough to this point to earn consideration.
CORNERBACK (5): Stephon Gilmore, JC Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Jalen Mills, Myles Bryant
Although he had an interception against Washington, Joejuan Williams is still off our roster. It came in the middle of the fourth quarter and it’s not usually a good thing to be playing then during a preseason game. Meanwhile, before he got hurt it was worth noting Bryant was playing safety, perhaps to give him more versatility.
SAFETY (3): Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger
No changes or surprises here.
SPECIALISTS/SPECIAL TEAMS (5): Jake Bailey, Joe Cardona, Nick Folk, Matthew Slater, Justin Bethel
We’re still sticking with Folk making it over Quinn Nordin, but the gap is certainly getting closer. Folk has been out the last week-plus and Nordin has made the most of his opportunities. If things continue to go like they have, the Patriots’ undrafted rookie streak could continue. Right now, Brandon King and Cody Davis are off the roster, but if there’s a player who goes on PUP/IR, expect one of these two to get added to the roster.