Patriots 53-man roster projection 1.0: Who makes the cut?

If Chism continues to stack optimistic days, he might emerge as  one other weapon out of the slot for Maye and Co. 

Meaning veteran Kendrick Bourne — who’s presently sidelined with a foot damage — may very well be the odd man out.

Second-round decide Ja’Lynn Polk was additionally wanting like a reduce candidate, though a shoulder/arm damage suffered on Friday might result in him occurring IR.

Tight ends (3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover

Once more, no surprises in the case of each Henry and Hooper making the group. However it stays to be seen who slots in because the group’s third tight finish.

If the Patriots wish to additional bolster their depth by including a possible fullback — Westover makes loads of sense after incomes reps on the place on Friday.

Offensive linemen (9): Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu, Jared Wilson, Garrett Bradbury, Ben Brown, Marcus Bryant, Caedan Wallace, Demontrey Jacobs

After over two weeks of camp and one preseason recreation, it appears as if New England’s beginning offensive line is: Will Campbell (LT), Jared Wilson (LG), Garrett Bradbury (C), Mike Onwenu (RG), and Morgan Moses (RT).

However given the combo of inexperience and age (in Moses’ case at 34) on the roster, New England must determine some depth on the line of scrimmage.

In our projection, Demontrey Jacobs and 2025 seventh-round decide Marcus Bryant function the following males up at swing sort out, whereas 2024 third-round choice Caedan Wallace serves as extra of a backup left guard behind Wilson. 

Ben Brown can be retained as backup choice at heart in case Bradbury struggles in his first season in New England.

That signifies that New England will clear home with a number of different draft lessons — transferring on from 2022 first-round decide Cole Unusual, in addition to different latest alternatives like Sidy Sow and Layden Robinson.

Regardless of Unusual’s standing as a former first-round decide, he hasn’t been capable of entrench himself as a viable starter at both left guard or heart to this point this summer time.

Defensive tackles (5): Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.

The Patriots are seemingly poised to wreak havoc on the line of defense this season, particularly if Christian Barmore has a clear invoice of well being and Milton Williams lives as much as the four-year, $104 million contract he secured within the spring.

However Khyiris Tonga can be wanting like an influence participant to this point throughout camp, with the defensive sort out each collapsing the pocket and clogging up operating lanes along with his 335-pound body.

Farmer sticks round as a 2025 fourth-round decide, whereas Pharms provides some further insurance coverage to this personnel group.

Edge gamers (6): Harold Landry, Keion White, Ok’Lavon Chaisson, Truman Jones, Bradyn Swinson, Elijah Ponder 

After rating lifeless final within the NFL final season in sacks (28), the Patriots must be a pass-rushing power with a revamped roster in 2025.

Harold Landry has been a menace to this point throughout camp, whereas Ok’Lavon Chaisson (when wholesome) has popped in 1-on-1 matchups and group drills to this point this summer time. Chaisson may very well be a harmful situational pass-rusher, particularly if the massive our bodies up entrance like Williams and Barmore collapse the pocket. 

Keion White has a main alternative to construct off among the promise he showcased final yr, whereas Harvard alum Truman Jones was a standout throughout Friday’s preseason opener on each protection and particular groups. 

Ponder is one other identify to observe, as he might develop right into a core special-teams contributor underneath Jeremy Springer’s watch. His block opened the lane for TreVeyon Henderson to blow up for a 100-yard kickoff return landing on Friday. 

Anfernee Jennings was a strong participant on a flawed Patriots protection final season, nevertheless it wasn’t a very good signal that he was enjoying deep into the fourth quarter throughout Friday’s recreation. His play type might not match with what Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams wish to instill on that aspect of the ball. 

Linebackers (4): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Marte Mapu 

Spillane, Elliss, and Gibbens seem like locks at this skinny space of the roster, however there may very well be an fascinating battle brewing between Mapu and veteran Jahlani Tavai.

Mapu — a 2023 third-round decide — has left quite a bit to be desired to this point in his NFL profession. However the former security might elevate his inventory on a linebacker corps that appears to be prioritizing velocity and flexibility underneath Vrabel and Williams.

Past Tavai’s damage woes to this point throughout camp, he’s not precisely probably the most cellular linebacker — which might put his play type at odds with New England’s revamped imaginative and prescient on protection. 

Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, DJ James

The dangerous information? New England’s beginning nook duo of Gonzalez and Davis have been sidelined by accidents throughout camp.

The excellent news? Each Austin and James are wanting like more-than-capable backup choices at nook — who might additionally thrive in elevated roles if the damage bug continues to sting.

For now, New England isn’t fretting over the well being of each Gonzalez and Davis. However New England at the very least has some strong contingency plans in place with Austin and James — who’ve popped in preseason play as a sticky protection nook and dynamic ball-hawk, respectively.

Security (6):  Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, Marcus Epps, Brenden Schooler

This place group might change in a rush if Kyle Dugger continues to wrestle in New England’s new scheme.

For now — maybe because of Dugger’s contract making it robust to both reduce or commerce him — we’ve the veteran sticking round. Nonetheless, rookie Craig Woodson is making a official push for beginning reps already as a fleet-footed, instinctive presence within the secondary.

Jabrill Peppers is a lock to begin, whereas Brenden Schooler can be secure as a special-team ace.  Hawkins will function some depth, whereas we’ve Marcus Epps simply edging out Dell Pettus for the ultimate spot on this roster. 

Particular groups (3):  Andy Borregales, Julian Ashby, Bryce Baringer

No surprises in the case of Ashby and Baringer making the reduce because the group’s de-facto lengthy snapper and punter. 

The kicker competitors, nevertheless, stays up within the air as each rookie Andy Borregales and veteran John Parker Romo proceed to commerce kicks and vie for the beginning spot. 

Going into Monday’s follow, Romo had the slight edge over Borregales — connecting on 32-of-33 kicks, whereas Borrregales was 30-of-34. Monday was a step within the improper course for each gamers, as Borregales was 2-for-5 — and Romo went simply 1-for-4. 

Talking on Monday, Patriots particular groups coach Jeremy Springer mentioned that Borregales’ draft place (sixth spherical, 182 general) wouldn’t influence New England’s decision-making when it got here to roster cuts.

“I simply assume on the finish of the day, it’s the constant particular person. It doesn’t matter in the event you’re drafted or undrafted otherwise you had been picked up in free company,” Springer mentioned. “Coach Vrabel’s message may be very clear – you must earn a job. When you earn a job by consistency and exhibiting up on daily basis, to me, that’s the man who’s going to win the job. On the finish of the day, it doesn’t matter who they’re, and that’s how I strategy it on daily basis.

Romo has been extra constant to this point, however Borregales’ ceiling remains to be increased as New England tries to seek out long-term fixtures at a number of key positions. 

 

Conor Ryan is a employees author protecting the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Pink Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.