Training camp is completed. Joint practices are over and within the books. And for higher or worse, the preseason slate is completed.
Bill Belichick has till 4 p.m. Tuesday to pare his roster from 80 to 53.
Friday night time’s 23-6 loss to the Raiders left a bitter style on so many fronts. While Belichick thought the Patriots had left their finest on the apply discipline the last few days in joint practices, it was nonetheless disconcerting to look at his crew get thumped by second- and third-stringers.
So no, the Patriots starters weren’t nice on both aspect of the ball. And not one of the so-called “bubble” gamers did a lot to cement a spot.
All that being mentioned, right here’s our last crack on the 53, and the gamers who take advantage of sense filling the spots.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
In: Mac Jones, Brian Hoyer, Bailey Zappe
Out: None
Analysis: Seeing Jones pacing the sidelines, or tossing issues in disgust was a a lot too frequent web site the previous 5 weeks. The offense clearly isn’t able to put their finest foot ahead throughout the common season, and that’s left Jones pissed off. There’s nonetheless time.
Jones stays the important thing to creating it work, assuming he’s getting safety and the run recreation will get on monitor. The Pats will maintain Hoyer, partially as a result of they assured him $3 million when he re-signed, however additionally they want him to back-up and mentor Jones. Fourth-round choose Zappe will get a spot merely to see how a lot additional he can develop.
RUNNING BACKS (4)
In: Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong, J.J. Taylor
Out: Kevin Harris, Ty Montgomery
Analysis: This has at all times been Harris, Stevenson, then who else? James White retired, so he gained’t complement that duo. It would have been Ty Montgomery, however he received carted off the sector throughout Friday’s preseason finale. The hope is that it’s not season-ending, however at this stage, we’re not going to depend him in opposition to the roster.
That means Taylor, who performed properly throughout the preseason, will get a reprieve. So then it’s concerning the rookies, and which one sticks. Strong hasn’t finished a lot of something (2 carries, 4 yards vs. the Raiders). His particular groups skills and draft standing (4th-rounder) nonetheless, give him the nod. The Patriots will hope Harris clears via waivers and lands on the apply squad.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6)
In: Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, Jakobi Meyers, DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton
Out: Josh Hammond, Tre Nixon, Kristian Wilkerson
Analysis: Thornton, who was reported to have undergone surgical procedure to restore his fractured clavicle on Monday, is predicted to land on IR after the roster is ready at 53. He must be on the preliminary roster to have the chance to return later this season.
Parker, Agholor, and Meyers, who received dinged up a bit Friday night time, are locks. Bourne was within the doghouse throughout Panthers week, however appears to have dug his means out. There had been stories of a attainable commerce, however he’s too invaluable to the offense.
Why maintain Humphrey? His skill to play receiver, tight finish, and in addition contribute on particular groups earns him a spot. His headshot is within the dictionary subsequent to the definition of a Belichick-type participant.
Nixon, Wilkerson or each might begin on the apply squad.
TIGHT ENDS (3)
In: Devin Asiasi, Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith
Out: Matt Sokol, Jalen Wydermyer
Analysis: Without a fullback, the Patriots appear eager on utilizing loads of two-tight finish units. So they’ll want greater than Henry and Smith on the roster.
Asiasi hasn’t finished a lot. He missed the Raiders recreation, however the 2020 third-round choose will get another probability. The Pats already dumped fellow third-round choose Dalton Keene. But he will get the nod over Sokol and Wydermyer.
Henry and Smith, in the meantime, each had good camps.
OFFENSIVE LINE (7)
In: David Andrews, Trent Brown, Yodny Cajuste, Justin Herron, Mike Onwenu, Cole Strange, Isaiah Wynn
Out: Yasir Durant, Drew Desjarlais, James Ferentz, Chasen Hines, Arlington Hambright, Bill Murray, Kody Russey, Will Sherman, Andrew Stueber (NFI)
Analysis: We’re beginning with seven, and hoping that fairly a number of of the others (Ferentz, Hines, Hambright, Russey, Sherman) doubtlessly get via waivers and onto the apply squad.
While there have been stories the Patriots would possibly transfer Wynn, their lack of depth at deal with will doubtless negate such a transfer.
Herron had a tough camp, and in addition hasn’t appeared good throughout the preseason video games. But apart from Cajuste, not many choices to supply depth behind Wynn and Brown, who’re each harm susceptible.
Hines, a rookie, and Sherman have come on not too long ago. Undrafted rookie Russey has additionally made a case. But they’re a superb guess to land on the apply squad.
EDGE DEFENDERS (4)
In: Matt Judon, Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche, Deatrich Wise Jr.
Out: Henry Anderson, DaMarcus Mitchell
Analysis: Judon was quietly among the best gamers in camp. Wise additionally asserted himself.
The shock was Jennings, who after lacking all of final yr, seems like he’ll be a key contributor. Uche had bother setting the sting, however will doubtless simply be used on passing downs.
As for Mitchell, he’s a troublesome reduce. The undrafted rookie out of Purdue made some performs, and flashed on particular groups. Anderson is an effective depth piece, however doesn’t make the reduce.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES (5)
In: Christian Barmore, Carl Davis, Davon Godchaux, LaBryan Ray, Lawrence Guy
Out: Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Sam Roberts
Analysis: This group has a pleasant mix of youth and veterans blended in.
The solely actual selections principally got here after Barmore, Godchaux and Guy. Went with veteran Davis, and Ray, the undrafted Alabama lineman to fill out the road.
Davis is an effective backup at nostril deal with whereas Ray, a Nick Saban disciple, had no scarcity of constructing performs.
Roberts, a Seventh-round pick of Northwest Missouri State, confirmed himself properly. Just can’t squeeze him in.
Daniel Ekuale gained’t depend in opposition to the preliminary 53-man roster due to his two-game NFL suspension, however he’s appeared good as a sub-rusher, and can assist the trigger down the street.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (4)
In: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Raekwon McMillan, Jahlani Tavai, Mack Wilson
Out: Harvey Langi, Cameron McGrone, Nate Wieland
Analysis: This group has fairly properly been set from the beginning. The solely query was whether or not McGrone, their 2021 Fifth-round choose, would dwell as much as all of the hype and expectations positioned on him by the crew throughout the offseason. He didn’t.
The Patriots in the end have to resolve whether or not it’s a matter of him needing extra time to get again to kind after spending final yr on the sidelines rehabbing from an ACL tear, or if they need to simply reduce ties.
Tavai is likely to be a little bit of a shock, however based mostly on his utilization, and McGrone lagging behind, he’s in.
SAFETIES (5)
In: Joshuah Bledsoe, Kyle Dugger, Devin McCourty, Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips
Out: Brad Hawkins
Analysis: There’s a pleasant mix of expertise in Brian Belichick’s security room. Veteran expertise and savvy from McCourty, Peppers and Phillips. Youthful exuberance and promise from Dugger, who’s star is on the rise, and Bledsoe.
All 5 had been moved round throughout coaching camp, both enjoying within the field, or in deep centerfield. The versatility of this group can be a energy of the protection. Easily the crew’s finest place group.
CORNERBACKS (5)
In: Myles Bryant, Jack Jones, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Jalen Mills
Out: Terrence Mitchell, Shaun Wade
Analysis: After shedding J.C. Jackson, and never having a reputable No. 1 nook, there was loads of fear and concern concerning the cornerback room.
There nonetheless is, however not fairly to the diploma it was on the outset. Mills has steadied the ship by asserting himself as the highest gun. Jonathan Jones was moved to the skin, whereas Bryant has taken over within the slot. It’s not an elite group by any stretch, however they need to have the ability to get by with a bit assist from the move rush.
Rookies Marcus and Jack Jones have been spectacular and supply depth inside and outside. Jack Jones stood out in opposition to the Raiders with a few bone-crushing hits. He actually has a superb really feel for studying performs and getting in place.
Veteran Mitchell appeared like a lock on the outdoors, however loses the numbers recreation. So does Wade, who couldn’t swimsuit up in opposition to the Raiders. The Pats would possibly attempt to discover a approach to maintain each on the apply squad.
SPECIALISTS (7)
In: Jake Bailey (punter), Justin Bethel, Joe Cardona (snapper), Cody Davis, Nick Folk (kicker), Matthew Slater, Brenden Schooler
Out: Tristan Vizcaino
Analysis: Bailey seems just like the Bailey of previous. Sadly, he was the Patriots finest participant Friday night time. He had six punts with a 54.2 common, a protracted of 65, with two punts contained in the 20. The at all times regular Folk, in the meantime, supplied all of the scoring with a pair of discipline targets.
Beyond the 2 kickers and lengthy snapper, the Patriots could have undrafted rookie Schooler be part of Slater, Bethel and Davis of their unique particular groups membership.
With Schooler and Ray, that extends the Patriots streak of getting an undrafted participant on the roster to 19 straight seasons.
Source: www.bostonherald.com