The Patriots have to resolve in the event that they wish to hold an “electric” third-string quarterback/developmental broad receiver or threat dropping him on waivers.
The Patriots are three weeks into coaching camp and simply over three weeks from their Week 1 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Before they begin the season, head coach Bill Belichick has troublesome roster choices to make when the Patriots are compelled to trim their roster from 90 gamers all the best way all the way down to 53 by Aug. 29.
One of these key choices shall be whether or not or to not maintain onto Malik Cunningham, who’s formally listed on the roster as a quarterback however has spent most of coaching camp at broad receiver.
Here’s who makes the minimize in our newest 53-man roster projection.
QUARTERBACK (3)
In — Malik Cunningham, Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe
Out — Trace McSorley
The Herald’s take: Cunningham in all probability hasn’t executed fairly sufficient simply but to justify a roster spot, so his inclusion is a little bit of a projection that he’ll take one other optimistic step ahead in joint practices and the Patriots’ remaining preseason video games. He was the most effective factor that occurred to the Patriots’ offense in Thursday’s preseason opener, nonetheless, as he added a jolt of pleasure at quarterback late within the fourth quarter. Cunningham, a school quarterback, can’t be moderately counted on as a large receiver at this level in his positional conversion. While Cunningham has spent most of OTAs, minicamp and coaching camp at broad receiver, he’s seen elevated reps at quarterback prior to now week.
McSorley has struggled mightily in coaching camp and didn’t assert himself nicely with a 1-of-3 efficiency within the Patriots’ first preseason recreation in opposition to the Houston Texans. So, if the Patriots wish to hold a 3rd quarterback, then Cunningham is unquestionably the choice with increased upside.
Zappe hasn’t made a major push to make it a contest for the beginning job with Jones this summer season. Jones continues to take the good majority of first-team reps in apply, and gamers discuss him like he’s QB1. You might do rather a lot worse than Zappe, who received two video games as a rookie starter final season, as a backup, nonetheless.
RUNNING BACK (4)
In — Ezekiel Elliott, Ty Montgomery, Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong
Out — Kevin Harris, C.J. Marable, J.J. Taylor
The Herald’s take: There was a serious shift at operating again this week when the Patriots signed Elliott as a veteran free agent. The three-time Pro Bowl choice provides helpful depth and dependability to work together with Stevenson within the Patriots’ backfield. The Patriots actually haven’t had a operating again mixture like Elliott and Stevenson within the Bill Belichick period. Both are larger three-down backs. The Patriots sometimes wish to characteristic an even bigger early-down again and a smaller third-down cross catcher. This system ought to work too, nonetheless, since each runners can hammer between the tackles, catch out of the backfield and work as blockers within the passing recreation
There was a considered maintaining simply three operating backs as a result of Montgomery has been harm because the first week of coaching camp, and Harris, Marable and Taylor haven’t executed something to justify a roster spot so far. But the Patriots sometimes wish to hold no less than 4 operating backs, and Montgomery might assist out at broad receiver in a pinch.
There shouldn’t be an excessive amount of difficultly getting Harris, Marable and Taylor via waivers for added depth on the apply squad.
WIDE RECEIVER (5)
In — Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton
Out — Kayshon Boutte, Tre Nixon, Thyrick Pitts, Raleigh Webb
The Herald’s take: Boutte has had spectacular moments in coaching camp, however like Cunningham, we’d wish to see a optimistic step taken in one of many Patriots’ preseason video games for him to earn a roster spot. After exhibiting up in apply this summer season, Boutte did disappear a bit in Thursday’s preseason contest.
Webb is a darkish horse to earn a spot on particular groups and to function depth at broad receiver. He had points catching the ball this spring and early in coaching camp however has proven enchancment.
Thornton has fallen down the depth chart since coaching camp opened in late July, however he’s nonetheless earned a spot even ignoring his second-round pedigree. He’s caught only one cross from Jones in aggressive drills this camp however has made sufficient performs on the second group with Zappe. He additionally made the most effective catch of Thursday’s preseason recreation.
Douglas, like Boutte a sixth-round choose, seems to be a roster lock primarily based on his apply utilization and lack of enjoying time in Week 1 of the preseason, when he took simply two snaps earlier than becoming a member of starters on the sideline.
TIGHT END (2)
In — Mike Gesicki, Hunter Henry
Out — Anthony Firkser, Johnny Lumpkin, Matt Sokol, Scotty Washington
The Herald’s take: The Patriots may have to hold a second tight finish after Gesicki went down with an damage Monday in apply. The undersized tight finish/huge receiver suffered a light shoulder sprain, per NFL Media, throughout a 1-on-1 reside tackling drill when linebacker Jahlani Tavai introduced him down on a clear play. Gesicki regarded in vital ache, and head coach Jim Whalen walked him off the sector along with his hand beneath the tight finish’s shoulder pads. There’s hope that Gesicki shall be again by Week 1, however “nothing is given,” per NFL Media.
The subject right here is that Firkser, Lumpkin, Sokol and Washington haven’t executed sufficient in coaching camp to justify a spot on the 53-man roster. The Patriots can nearly actually slip Lumpkin, Sokol and Washington via waivers on the apply squad. Firkser wouldn’t have to clear waivers to be minimize and introduced again.
There are two extra weeks of joint practices and two preseason video games for Firkser, Lumpkin, Sokol or Washington to show they need to be saved on the roster, however at this level, the Patriots are higher off simply maintaining Henry and Gesicki and stashing their tight finish depth on the scout group. NFL groups can activate gamers from the apply squad for gameday.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
In — David Andrews, Jake Andrews, Trent Brown, Atonio Mafi, Mike Onwenu, Riley Reiff, Kody Russey, Sidy Sow, Cole Strange
Out — James Ferentz, Chasen Hines, Conor McDermott, Bill Murray, Andrew Stueber, Micah Vanterpool
NFI — Calvin Anderson
The Herald’s take: It’s troublesome to know what’s happening with Anderson, who solely seems in avenue garments for apply whereas on the non-football sickness record. The Patriots are three weeks via coaching camp, and he has but to take part. So, till we see in any other case, it appears most secure to maintain him on the NFI record, the place he’d miss no less than 4 video games, to begin the season.
There appears to be an absence of certainty that Onwenu, who stays on the PUP record, shall be prepared to begin the season. It’s value activating him earlier than Week 1 to ensure the Patriots don’t lose him for 4 weeks.
The Patriots’ present beginning line in apply with Onwenu on PUP, Anderson on NFI, and Russey and Strange coping with accidents, is Brown at left sort out, Mafi at left guard, David Andrews at heart, Reiff at proper guard and Sow at proper sort out. Previously, when Russey was wholesome, he was at proper guard and Reiff was at proper sort out. So, that’s a sign that Sow is presently the highest reserve sort out, and Mafi and Russey are presently the highest reserve guards. McDermott has fallen down the depth chart.
Jake Andrews hasn’t earned a roster spot primarily based on what he’s proven in coaching camp, however he was a fourth-round choose because the Patriots’ top-drafted offensive lineman this spring, and it could be troublesome to see the group hand over on him this rapidly.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7)
In — Christian Barmore, Carl Davis, Daniel Ekuale, Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy, Keion White, Deatrich Wise
Out — Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Sam Roberts, Justus Tavai
PUP — Trey Flowers
The Herald’s take: No main surprises right here apart from the veteran, Davis, making the minimize and Roberts, a 2022 sixth-round choose, being left off. White, a second-round choose, is an identical physique kind and takes Roberts’ spot.
The Patriots have nice veteran depth alongside their defensive position with Davis, Ekuale, Godchaux and Guy all able to taking on area within the operating recreation. Barmore has upside as a pass-rusher, Wise is a reliable defensive finish, and White is the wild card who might push the Patriots’ defensive position disruption to a different stage this season. The rookie is 6-foot-5, 290 kilos and might get up on the sting as an out of doors linebacker or kick inside for some inside penetration.
Flowers stays on the PUP record and has but to don a uniform in apply. Until we all know extra about his standing and what he appears to be like like on the sector, it’s most secure to maintain him on the PUP record for now.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (3)
In — Anfernee Jennings, Matt Judon, Josh Uche
Out — Ronnie Perkins
The Herald’s take: Perkins has been a disappointment as a 2021 third-round choose. He has but to take a snap in the course of the common season and is injured as soon as once more this summer season.
Jennings is stable as a rock setting the sting in opposition to the run. Uche is a lightning bolt off the sting, and Judon may be the Patriots’ finest general participant. White and Wise additionally work off the sting.
LINEBACKER (4)
In — Ja’Whaun Bentley, Marte Mapu, Jahlani Tavai, Mack Wilson
Out — Diego Fagot, Joe Giles-Harris, Calvin Munson, Carson Wells
The Herald’s take: Based on special-teams coaching camp reps, Munson may earn some early enjoying time for the Patriots whether or not that’s with a 53-man roster spot or as a apply squad call-up.
The Patriots have further linebacker depth in special-teamer Chris Board. And the group likes to make use of safeties Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips and Jabrill Peppers contained in the field, although they’ll have further tasks at free security with Devin McCourty’s retirement.
Bentley, Tavai and Wilson can all begin. Mapu has proven a ton of versatility in apply however continues to be carrying a crimson non-contact jersey. Teammates proceed to rave about his skills.
CORNERBACK (6)
In — Myles Bryant, Christian Gonzalez, Jack Jones, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Ameer Speed
Out — Isaiah Bolden, Quandre Mosely, Rodney Randle, Shaun Wade
The Herald’s take: Bolden was maybe the hardest minimize on this complete 53-man roster projection, however somebody needed to go, and he was the Patriots’ ultimate choose within the 2023 NFL Draft. He’s proven potential in protection however has additionally gotten picked on at instances. He has an amazing dimension and pace mixture, however so does Speed. Speed, a sixth-round choose, seems to have higher upside on particular groups.
Jack Jones’ standing bears monitoring after he was arrested on gun fees at Logan Airport in June. The Patriots’ cornerback depth is a wobby Jenga tower if Jack Jones isn’t out there to play. That would thrust both Jonathan Jones or Marcus Jones into an out of doors cornerback position, or the group must transfer Jalen Mills again from security to cornerback. The Patriots might additionally hold Wade on the roster. The third-year professional has been a playmaker on the second-team protection.
Gonzalez seems to be a Day 1 starter. Jonathan Jones is finest utilized within the slot if Jack Jones can play exterior. The Patriots appear to love Marcus Jones extra exterior than within the slot, however his 5-foot-8 stature is an obstacle in opposition to larger receivers. He might moderately be taking over a large receiver eight or 9 inches taller. At the identical time, he’s had issue masking Douglas out of the slot this summer season.
SAFETY (4)
In — Kyle Dugger, Jalen Mills, Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips
Out — Joshuah Bledsoe, Brad Hawkins
The Herald’s take: The Patriots can cull further security depth from the cornerback place. Bryant has been a daily at free security this summer season. Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones have the power play security. And the Patriots have experimented with Speed again deep.
Wade additionally performed free security within the Patriots’ preseason opener. Bledsoe is a stable possibility within the slot or within the field. He’s simply presently buried behind Dugger, Mills, Peppers, Phillips and Bryant.
SPECIAL TEAMS (6)
In — P Bryce Baringer, ST Chris Board, LS Joe Cardona, Ok Chad Ryland, ST Brenden Schooler, ST Matthew Slater
Out — Ok Nick Folk, P Corliss Waitman
PUP — ST Cody Davis
The Herald’s take: That’s three core special-teamers in Board, Schooler and Slater. Plus Speed appears to be like like he’ll begin his NFL profession as a key contributor within the kicking recreation.
It makes probably the most sense to maintain the rookies — Baringer and Ryland — over veterans Folk and Waitman within the specialist roles. With 16 apply squad spots, maybe Folk and Waitman could possibly be satisfied to stay round New England.
Davis stays on the PUP record after his 2022 season ended untimely with a knee damage. Until we see indicators of him coming again, we’ll hold him on the PUP record to begin the 12 months.
The Patriots waived lengthy snapper Tucker Addington and special-teamer DaMarcus Mitchell on Tuesday.
Source: www.bostonherald.com