The Patriots are within the house stretch with regards to figuring out the ultimate roster forward of their Sept. 11 season opener in Miami.
Bill Belichick might want to whittle the roster all the way down to 80 by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday — they have been at 82 on Sunday — earlier than getting all the way down to the ultimate 53 on Aug. 30.
Players on the bubble – and fairly a number of have emerged following Friday evening’s preseason win over the Panthers – have joint practices with Las Vegas and one final sport to impress and safe a spot.
On Saturday, Belichick stated arriving on the 53 was robust, however easy on the identical time: “(Just) put together the best team that you can.”
With that in thoughts, right here’s our second crack on the 53-man roster.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
In: Mac Jones, Brian Hoyer, Bailey Zappe
Out: None
Analysis: Jones’ efficiency in his first preseason sport towards the Panthers was a microcosm of the way it’s been for the offense as a complete throughout coaching camp. Basically two components horror present, one half hope. Perhaps it’s an excellent signal that Jones rallied from the horror present and put collectively a pleasant scoring drive, highlighted by his 45-yard bomb to Nelson Agholor.
The Pats will preserve Hoyer as the first backup, together with rookie fourth-round choose Bailey Zappe, who has performed nothing to dispel the notion he’ll ultimately be the No. 2 behind Jones.
RUNNING BACKS (4)
In: Damien Harris, Ty Montgomery, Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong
Out: Kevin Harris, J.J. Taylor
Analysis: Harris and Stevenson are the first backs. Montgomery, who’s listed as a large receiver, appears like he’ll have his share of third-down again obligation. As the doable inheritor to James White, he has crammed the position properly. The robust choices come after this trio.
Neither of the rookie backs, Strong or Kevin Harris, has proven a lot. For now, Strong, a third-round choose, sticks. He may later be a sufferer of the Foxboro flu. Taylor, who can fill quite a lot of roles, has carried out higher than each, however attracts the quick straw for now. Kevin Harris additionally doesn’t make it. Maybe he’ll flip up on the observe squad.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
In: Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers, DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton
Out: Josh Hammond, Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, Tre Nixon, Kristian Wilkerson
Analysis: Agholor, Meyers and Parker ought to work as an excellent, complementary receiving trio for Jones. While there’s been discuss shifting Agholor, it appears moot given how properly he’s performed, coupled with Thornton’s harm. With the rookie being sidelined for an prolonged interval with a collarbone harm, the Pats might want to put him on the roster first, earlier than placing him on IR with a purpose to permit him the opportunity of a return as soon as he’s healed.
Bourne, in the meantime, has been an enormous disappointment so far, however there’s nonetheless time for him to pop and get again on observe. Wilkerson was having an excellent camp previous to struggling a head harm within the joint practices. Nixon has been good, too. But neither will crack the highest 5. Humphrey, nonetheless, appears like he might stick at one other place.
TIGHT ENDS (3)
In: Hunter Henry, Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, Jonnu Smith
Out: Devin Asiasi, Matt Sokol, Jalen Wydermyer
Analysis: The Patriots have been utilizing some two tight-end units and received’t be capable of get by with simply Henry and Smith for the lengthy haul. Enter Humphrey.
Initially deliberate on giving the spot to Asiasi, who’s been good at occasions, however largely inconsistent. Then Belichick opened the door for Humphrey, calling him a “tight-end-ish” participant Friday evening.
While Humphrey has additionally flashed at occasions as a receiver, he has often lined up as an in-line tight finish. Even higher, he’s proven some particular groups potential. On Friday, he made an unbelievable play, diving over the objective line to get a ball again in play earlier than it hit the bottom. That effort even had Matthew Slater shaking his head in amazement. So proper now, Humphrey is in. Asiasi, in the meantime, might return as soon as Thornton is placed on IR.
As for Dalton Keene, a 2020 third spherical choose, he was launched Sunday by the group. He simply couldn’t get on the sector for numerous causes.
OFFENSIVE LINE (7)
In: David Andrews, Trent Brown, Yodny Cajuste, Mike Onwenu, Kody Russey, Cole Strange, Isaiah Wynn
Out: Yasir Durant, Drew Desjarlais, James Ferentz, Justin Herron, Chasen Hines, Arlington Hambright, Bill Murray, Will Sherman, Andrew Stueber (NFI)
Analysis: Starting out with fewer numbers on the road given the Pats will be capable of stash a number of gamers on the observe squad, Ferentz chief amongst them.
One factor to ponder, has Wynn grow to be expendable given how properly Cajuste has performed in his absence, to not point out Onwenu, who began at proper sort out Friday evening? What the Patriots determine to do with Wynn, who’s “day-to-day” with an unspecified harm, will in the end decide the form of the group.
Also went with undrafted rookie Russey, who backed up Andrews Friday evening, and held his personal towards the Panthers.
EDGE DEFENDERS (4)
In: Matt Judon, Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche, Deatrich Wise Jr.
Out: DaMarcus Mitchell, Ronnie Perkins
Analysis: Nice to see Jennings, a 2020 third-round choose, flash and at last emerge as an edge-setter, doubtless on early downs, if no more.
Uche has made some performs, however the Patriots want him to be much more impactful.
Judon, the red-sleeved surprise, has quietly had an excellent camp. Ditto Wise.
Beyond them, Perkins and Mitchell have come on of late. They have been each efficient towards the Panthers, but it surely’s essential to remember it was towards third-stringers. Mitchell has been an everyday on the beginning particular groups items in camp. We’ll see how each fare this week.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES (5)
In: Christian Barmore, Carl Davis, Davon Godchaux, LaBryan Ray, Lawrence Guy
Out: Daniel Ekuale (suspended), Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Sam Roberts
Analysis: Thus far, this group has performed fairly properly each towards the run and cross. Barmore continues to be a drive on passing downs. Godchaux has additionally been a bit extra constant plugging the center, which shall be key by way of stopping the run. Guy and Davis add a veteran presence up entrance.
Ray, who went undrafted out of Alabama, has earned a spot. He’s been very efficient taking part in on the within. Roberts, a Seventh-round choose this 12 months, is a tricky lower.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (4)
In: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Raekwon McMillan, Jahlani Tavai, Mack Wilson
Out: Harvey Langi, Cameron McGrone, Nate Wieland
Analysis: Bentley, McMillan and Wilson are just about locks. Bentley and McMillan have been regular within the center. And within the quicker and faster division, Wilson has flashed pace, making tackles everywhere in the discipline at any time when he’s been inserted.
Tavai is on the bubble. He began alongside Bentley towards the Panthers, but in addition noticed time late with the scrubs. He performed for Patricia in Detroit, so which may give him an edge.
As for the much-heralded McGrone, he nonetheless appears like he’s looking for his method. The Fifth-round choose could be observe squad materials at this level.
SAFETIES (5)
In: Joshuah Bledsoe, Kyle Dugger, Devin McCourty, Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips
Out: Brad Hawkins
Analysis: The Patriots have a giant 4 — McCourty, Phillips, Dugger, Peppers. The query is whether or not they need to add a fifth.
It’s already a place of energy. That received’t cease Belichick from maintaining Bledsoe, who has been spectacular from the early camps to now. He compelled a fumble in Friday’s sport, and appears to all the time be across the soccer.
The second-year security out of Missouri didn’t play final 12 months, however has proven sufficient to make the group.
CORNERBACKS (6)
In: Myles Bryant, Jack Jones, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Jalen Mills, Shaun Wade
Out: Malcolm Butler (IR), Joejuan Williams (IR), Terrence Mitchell
Analysis: Mills has been a constant standout and has earned high nook standing. As for his associate on the alternative boundary, it now appears like Jonathan Jones shall be his sidekick, shifting from his standard spot within the slot. Jones may need a more durable time towards larger receivers, however he held his personal towards the Panthers.
Bryant and rookie Marcus Jones have been alternating at nickel nook. Rookie Jack Jones has backed up on the boundary, and has impressed. He has good wheels and nice anticipation. Both rookies are in.
The final spot comes all the way down to Mitchell and Wade. Right now, Wade will get the spot given his versatility to play each inside and outside. Plus, he’s come on like a freight practice the previous week. Mitchell, who was initially reverse Mills earlier than Jonathan Jones was moved, is the robust lower.
SPECIALISTS (7)
In: Jake Bailey, Justin Bethel, Joe Cardona, Cody Davis, Nick Folk, Matthew Slater, Brenden Schooler
Out: Quinn Nordin (NFI), Tristan Vizcaino
Analysis: The standard suspects – Nick Folk, Jake Bailey, Joe Cardona – will as soon as once more be the kicker, punter, long-snapper trio. Vizcaino has a powerful leg, and has kicked properly, however Folk’s the person. It’s doable the Pats will attempt to preserve Vizcaino round on the observe squad so as to add depth.
They may also attempt to acquire a roster spot by slicing Folk and placing him on the observe squad to begin, a maneuver they’ve performed up to now.
Beyond that , Slater, Bethel and Davis retain their roles as core special-teamers, whereas undrafted Schooler joins the membership, basically taking the place of Brandon King.
Source: www.bostonherald.com