6 rings: Reaction and analysis from the Patriots preseason opener
The Patriots lost to the Texans 20-9 on Thursday night in their first preseason game of the 2023 season.
Despite the loss, we saw plenty of action from New England's roster that can help us determine where this team will be come week one. Sure - there are still plenty of joint practices and games in both Green Bay and Tennessee coming up that will change things, but here's a crack at what the Patriots' roster could look like in September:
Quarterbacks (3): Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Malik Cunningham (R)
Out: Trace McSorley
Not that there was any question, but Mac Jones not playing against Houston on Thursday locks him in as New England’s starting quarterback. Bailey Zappe playing the entire first half and then some locks him in as the back up.
The question now becomes: will the Patriots hold onto a third quarterback? After what UDFA Malik Cunningham showed off behind center on Thursday night, it’s hard to imagine he’d clear waivers if New England released him.
After signing the former Louisville Cardinal to a contract that includes $200,000 in guaranteed money, they find a spot for him on the roster in the quarterback room.
Running Backs (4): Kevin Harris, Ty Montgomery, Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong Jr.
Out: JJ Taylor
Outside of offensive line, running back might be the Patriots shallowest room. Rhamondre Stevenson is the only reliable one in the bunch.
Despite Ty Montgomery not practicing in over two weeks, He may be New England's only hope as a spell back after what we saw (or didn't see) from Pierre Strong Jr., Kevin Harris, and JJ Taylor on Thursday.
It wouldn’t shock me if the Patriots signed one of Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, or Darrell Henderson by Monday. They need another body.
Wide Receivers (5): Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas (R), DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton
Out: Kayshon Boutte (R), Tre Nixon, Thyrick Pitts (R), Raleigh Webb
Wide receiver is the most contentious position battle the Patriots have. Bourne, Parker, and Smith-Schuster are virtual locks, but question marks remain around Tyquan Thornton, Demario Douglas, and Kayshon Boutte remain.
After seeing Douglas hardly play against the Texans on Thursday, it’s safe to say that New England has already seen enough from the 5-foot-8 slot receiver. Thornton’s performance versus Houston helped his cause as well. They’re not cutting him yet.
Unfortunately, Kayshon Boutte becomes the odd man out as of now. He still needs to show more to lock in his spot.
Tight Ends (2): Mike Gesicki, Hunter Henry
Out: Anthony Firkser, Johnny Lumpkin, (R). Matt Sokol, Scotty Washington
For the second year in a row, the Patriots keep just two tight ends. The only hesitation here is that neither Gesicki nor Henry are known for their blocking ability. Both are de facto wide receivers.
That being said, if they were to keep a third for blocking purposes, Anthony Firkser would be the choice. They just don’t have the room.
Offensive Line (9): David Andrews, Jake Andrews (R), Trent Brown, Atonio Mafi (R), Conor McDermott, Mike Onwenu, Riley Reiff, Sidy Sow (R), Cole Strange
Out: Calvin Anderson, James Ferentz, Chasen Hines, Bill Murray, Kody Russey, Andrew Stueber
New England needs all the help they can get on the offensive line, and with depth interior lineman Kody Russey going down with an injury on Thursday, consistency across the board just got tougher.
The Patriots keep all three of the rookies they drafted, along with their projected starting unit in Brown, Strange, Andrews, Onwenu, and Reiff. Conor McDermott, for now, wins the swing tackle gig by default with Cavin Anderson still on NFI.
Defensive Line (6): Christian Barmore, Daniel Ekuale, Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy, Keion White (R), Deatrich Wise Jr.
Out: Carl Davis, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Justus Tavai (R), Sam Roberts
Chalk here. Daniel Ekuale gets the nod over Carl Davis after a successful game on Thursday mixed with an injury to Davis.
Side note: Christian Barmore and Keion White are going to wreak havoc in the trenches. White dominated in his NFL debut against Houston. He’s a player.
Linebackers (8): Ja’Whaun Bentley, Chris Board, Anfernee Jennings, Marte Mapu (R), Matthew Judon, Jahlani Tavai, Josh Uche, Mack Wilson
Out: Diego Fagot, Okakunle Fatukasi, Trey Flowers, Joe Giles-Harris, Calvin Munson, Ronnie Perkins
The Patriots added linebacker Trey Flowers to their linebacker room this week, but with the two-time Super Bowl champion already starting out his second stint in New England on the PUP list, I find it unlikely he pushes for a roster spot.
One of the “last three on” my roster is Anfernee Jennings who, despite warranting plenty of reps in practice with the Patriots defense, has failed to pop heading into his fourth NFL season. His solid performance on Thursday leaves him on the roster for now.
Cornerbacks (5): Myles Bryant, Christian Gonzalez (R), Jack Jones, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones
Out: Isaiah Bolden, Quandre Mosely, Rodney Randle, Ameer Speed, Shaun Wade
Rookie Christian Gonzalez is a lock on one boundary, and a rotation of Jack Jones, Jonathan Jones, and Marcus Jones will command the other.
Myles Bryant is the wild card here. The Patriots like him, and his versatility as a safety and a punt returner will likely keep him employed for one more season in Foxborough. Isaiah Bolden is close to pushing Bryant for his spot, but he's not there just yet.
Safeties (4): Kyle Dugger, Jalen Mills, Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips
Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, Brad Hawkins
Dugger, Mills, Peppers, and Phillips all make the squad, with a triumphant but ultimately failed push from Joshuah Bledsoe.
Bledsoe's performance won't be what keeps him off the roster, but rather the versatility of guys like Marte Mapu and Myles Bryant who they can kick over to the position just as easily. The former Missouri Tiger will make a great pro elsewhere.
Specialists (7): Bryce Baringer (R), Joe Cardona, Jourdan Heilig (R), Damarcus Mitchell, Chad Ryland (R), Brenden Schooler, Matthew Slater
Out: Tucker Addington, Cody Davis, Nick Folk, Corliss Waitman
Despite not “booming” in his first NFL game action, Bryce Baringer has shown enough in camp to have successfully won the punter competition.
As for Chad Ryland, although he was second behind Nick Folk on Thursday, I find it hard to believe they'll cut a fifth-round pick. He's taken the bulk of the starter reps during practice this summer, and I expect him to be their lone place-kicker when it's all said and done.
UDFA Jourdan Heilig, who has been a student at the Matthew Slater School of Special Teams all summer, makes the team as a coverage guy along with Brenden Schooler and Damarcus Mitchell.
LAST THREE ON: Myles Bryant Malik Cunningham, Anfernee Jennings
LAST THREE OFF: Joshuah Bledsoe, Isaiah Bolden, Carl Davis
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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