The Patriots are simply over every week away from roster cuts with another preseason game to go.
Earlier than the Patriots tackle the Giants of their preseason finale, let’s take one other crack at a 53-man roster projection.
QUARTERBACK (2)
Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
- Ben Wooldridge has proven promise all through the summer season, however it appears unlikely that one other group would declare him if the Patriots elect to waive him at roster cuts. Maye is the unquestioned starter. It might nonetheless be price checking the waiver wire to see if one other quarterback shakes free who may compete with Dobbs for the backup function.
RUNNING BACK (3)
Antonio Gibson, TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson
- JaMycal Hasty is a superb reserve operating again, however he’s unneeded, barring damage, behind Stevenson, Henderson and Gibson.
WIDE RECEIVER (7)
Javon Baker, Kayshon Boutte, Efton Chism, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams
- Take into account Boutte, Chism, Diggs, Douglas, Hollins and Williams as locks. That leaves Baker, Kendrick Bourne and Ja’Lynn Polk to compete for a possible seventh spot. Bourne and Polk are each at the moment injured, so it’s attainable that they may even start the season on injured reserve, below new guidelines instituted by the NFL final season. Baker has been higher in observe than in preseason video games. He’s additionally contributing extra on particular groups.
TIGHT END (3)
Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover
- The Patriots have two intriguing rookie tight ends in Gee Scott and CJ Dippre, however it seems Westover is competing with Cole Fotheringham for the third tight finish/fullback function. Westover is at the moment above Fotheringham on the depth chart and provides extra athleticism.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Garrett Bradbury, Ben Brown, Marcus Bryant, Will Campbell, Vederian Lowe, Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu, Cole Unusual, Jared Wilson
- Since our final 53-man roster projection, we’ve changed Demontrey Jacobs with Lowe and Caedan Wallace with Unusual based mostly on Saturday’s lineup substitutions. Sidy Sow remains to be within the combine with Wallace and Unusual as a backup guard.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5)
Christian Barmore, Joshua Farmer, Jeremiah Pharms, Khyiris Tonga, Milton Williams
- Iton suffered an damage in Saturday’s preseason recreation, leaving open the likelihood that he may start the season on injured reserve. He was a shock riser in coaching camp. It’s attainable that he may change Pharms on the 53-man roster, if wholesome. We simply don’t know sufficient but about his damage, so he’ll be left off for now.
EDGE DEFENDERS (6)
Truman Jones, Keion White, Ok’Lavon Chaisson, Anfernee Jennings, Harold Landry, Bradyn Swinson
- We’re retaining Jennings regardless of him being low on the depth chart. He’s continued to point out optimum effort in observe and the preseason regardless of seeing scout-team and third-team reps. That ought to impress the Patriots new teaching employees.
LINEBACKER (4)
Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Robert Spillane, Jahlani Tavai
- We nonetheless haven’t seen sufficient from Marte Mapu, Monty Rice, Cam Riley or R.J. Moten to place them on the roster. Tavai has barely practiced this summer season regardless of passing a bodily forward of coaching camp.
CORNERBACK (6)
Alex Austin, Carlton Davis III, Christian Gonzalez, DJ James, Marcus Jones, Kobee Minor
- Minor sneaks onto the roster. He’s improved because the summer season has worn on. He’s proven an edge at occasions in observe, which is one thing that could possibly be valued by head coach Mike Vrabel.
SAFETY (5)
Marcus Epps, Jaylinn Hawkins, Jabrill Peppers, Brenden Schooler, Craig Woodson
- Kyle Dugger is noticeably absent from right here. It feels onerous to place him on the 53-man roster when he’s clearly under Peppers, Hawkins, Woodson, Epps and Schooler on the depth chart. The Patriots may hold Dugger as a sixth security; his wage is assured anyway. However there’s clearly a purpose why he’s enjoying so deep into preseason video games. Maybe the Patriots may nonetheless commerce him in the event that they’re prepared to eat wage.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
Ok Parker Romo, P Bryce Baringer, LS Julian Ashby
- The kicker competitors remains to be too near name. We’re basing this off the truth that Romo hit a 57-yard area aim outside in Week 1 of the preseason and Borregales shanked one indoors on Saturday. However issues can nonetheless change.
Final in: Baker, Unusual, Jennings, Minor
Final out: Dugger, Wallace, Elijah Ponder
