The Patriots are getting into their third week of training camp.
Let’s take one other crack at a 53-man roster projection with the Patriots’ first preseason sport of the summer season on the horizon this week in opposition to the Commanders.
QUARTERBACK (2)
Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
- There’s worth in retaining one other quarterback with the brand new emergency third QB rule that enables groups to decorate an additional signal-caller with out making him energetic. And rookie Ben Wooldridge has had some first rate moments in coaching camp. Has it been sufficient for a 3rd quarterback spot? Most likely not. He had a tricky time in Friday night time’s in-stadium scrimmage, going 1-of-4 with an interception.
RUNNING BACK (4)
Antonio Gibson, TreVeyon Henderson, Lan Larison, Rhamondre Stevenson
- Larison, an undrafted free agent out of UC Davis, is likely one of the final gamers to make our 53-man roster. He’s acquired sufficient reps with the first-team offense to incorporate him. The Patriots traditionally stored a fairly deep group at working again, and Larison has extra upside than Terrell Jennings. He did have a nasty drop on Friday that led to an interception.
WIDE RECEIVER (6)
Kayshon Boutte, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Ja’Lynn Polk, Kyle Williams
- That is extra of a projection than what we’re at present seeing in apply. Kendrick Bourne is at present seeing extra reps than Polk, however he’s 29 years previous and isn’t having a productive coaching camp. He had his finest 12 months beneath returning offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, however that was 4 years in the past. Hollins already brings a veteran presence in McDaniels’ offense. Head coach Mike Vrabel stated he was impressed by Polk’s effort to return from an harm early in coaching camp. Polk brings outside-inside versatility and might nonetheless convey upside as a 2024 second-round decide. The Patriots might maintain simply 5 gamers on this group. Javon Baker and Efton Chism are nonetheless vying for roster spots, as effectively.
TIGHT END (3)
Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Gee Scott Jr.
Jack Westover is at present seeing extra apply reps than Scott, however Scott, an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State, has been a greater receiving choice in camp. It’s a crowded group at tight finish with Jaheim Bell, CJ Dippre, Tyler Davis and Cole Fotheringham additionally on the roster competing for spots.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Garrett Bradbury, Ben Brown, Marcus Bryant, Will Campbell, Demontrey Jacobs, Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu, Caedan Wallace, Jared Wilson
- Cole Unusual had a tricky week final week. He started coaching camp because the crew’s prime left guard. By the top of the week, he was receiving second-team reps at middle behind Ben Brown and with Garrett Bradbury out with harm. That thrust Wilson into the highest spot at left guard with Wallace behind him. We’ll see how the inside offensive line shakes out when Bradbury returns, however for now, it seems Unusual is the third-string middle. Campbell, Wilson, Bradbury, Onwenu and Moses venture because the starters with Brown because the backup middle, Jacobs a swing sort out, Wallace because the backup guard and Bryant as a developmental choice at sort out.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5)
Christian Barmore, Joshua Farmer, Jeremiah Pharms, Khyiris Tonga, Milton Williams
- Jaquelin Roy was a tough omission primarily based on coaching camp reps. Barmore and Williams will begin. Tonga shall be on the sphere when the Patriots need to go massive up entrance, and Pharms has been a daily on protection. Farmer is a developmental choice as a 2025 fourth-round decide.
EDGE DEFENDERS (6)
Truman Jones, Keion White, Ok’Lavon Chaisson, Anfernee Jennings, Harold Landry, Bradyn Swinson
- Jones has impressed coaches courting again to the spring. That’s how he earned an offseason award in coaching camp. Right here’s what Vrabel needed to say about Jones on Friday: “Yeah, he was an low season award winner and labored extraordinarily onerous. Is aware of each spots, exterior linebacker. He’s improved, I believe, particular groups. … However he’s a sensible participant and who I believe bodily has modified his physique and is on par with what these exterior linebackers seem like.”
LINEBACKER (4)
Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Robert Spillane, Jahlani Tavai
- This can be a little shallow, however the Patriots will in all probability solely have two off-ball linebackers on the sphere at any level. Marte Mapu, Monty Rice and Cam Riley are seeing alternatives on protection, as effectively, with Tavai banged up. However that group is clumped collectively fairly tightly. The Patriots would possibly be capable to maintain their linebacker depth on the apply squad relatively than on the 53-man roster.
CORNERBACK (5)
Alex Austin, Carlton Davis III, Christian Gonzalez, D.J. James, Marcus Jones
- There isn’t a sixth cornerback who has made a robust sufficient impression. Marcellas Dial Jr. might make the crew for his particular groups prowess, however since final summer season, he’s struggled in protection. James has been an enormous riser in coaching camp. He might assist take over Dial’s position on particular groups.
SAFETY (6)
Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler, Dell Pettus
- This is likely one of the deeper positions on the roster. Marcus Epps wasn’t a straightforward lower, however Dugger, Peppers, Woodson, Hawkins and Pettus have been higher this summer season.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
Andres Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby
- The Patriots maintain their sixth-round decide, Borregales, over Parker Romo.
Final 5 in: Gee Scott, DJ James, Truman Jones, Lan Larison, Ja’Lynn Polk
Final out: Jack Westover, Jaquelin Roy, Marcellas Dial, Kendrick Bourne, Cole Unusual
