The Patriots are lastly prepared to completely put together for Week 1 and the Philadelphia Eagles with preseason and coaching camp out of the best way.
They do want to chop their roster to 90 gamers first, nonetheless.
This 12 months, all cuts are made without delay. They’re additionally not finished over the weekend, and there’s an extended break between the ultimate preseason sport and cuts.
Here’s our remaining crack at a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (2)
In — Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe
Out — Malik Cunningham, Trace McSorley
The Herald’s take: Ultimately, it felt like Cunningham would wish to make one other optimistic step after his thrilling end to the Patriots’ first preseason sport. That by no means occurred, and it’s troublesome to roster a participant who wants critical improvement as each a quarterback and extensive receiver.
The Patriots might want to determine what they wish to do with their third quarterback spot. If Cunningham clears waivers, they might at all times carry him again to the follow squad. McSorley didn’t seem to be an awesome match for the offense based mostly on how he performed in coaching camp and the preseason. Perhaps the Patriots dig by roster cuts after gamers clear waivers and signal an out of doors QB to the follow squad to affix Jones and Zappe.
RUNNING BACK (3)
In — Ezekiel Elliott, Ty Montgomery, Rhamondre Stevenson
Out — Kevin Harris, J.J. Taylor
The Herald’s take: The Patriots traded operating again Pierre Strong Jr. to the Browns for offensive sort out Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Strong was beforehand projected to make the roster as a 2022 fourth-round decide.
Taylor performed effectively this preseason, however he’s in his fourth offseason with the Patriots. It appears not possible {that a} workforce would declare him off waivers at this level, and he can function depth on the follow squad.
Montgomery is a tricky name. He’s only recently returned to follow however nonetheless wasn’t wholesome sufficient to play within the Patriots’ remaining preseason sport. The Patriots clearly just like the veteran operating again/extensive receiver, and he brings versatility to the offense.
Stevenson and Elliott are the highest backs on the depth chart.
WIDE RECEIVER (6)
In — Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas, DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton
Out — Thyrick Pitts, Raleigh Webb
The Herald’s take: Barring one thing unexpected, it seems the Patriots will maintain six extensive receivers on their preliminary 53-man roster.
The workforce took a slight threat in ready till the sixth spherical to take their first skill-position participant within the 2023 NFL Draft. It’s paid off with robust summers for Boutte and Douglas.
Thornton is banged up as soon as once more. The Patriots have the choice to incorporate him on the preliminary 53-man roster and place him on injured reserve so he’s not out for all the season.
TIGHT END (2)
In — Mike Gesicki, Hunter Henry
Out — Anthony Firkser, Matt Sokol
The Herald’s take: The Patriots want a 3rd tight finish, however Firkser and Sokol haven’t actually earned roster spots this summer season. There shouldn’t be very a lot competitors for any of these gamers if they arrive accessible. The Patriots ought to have the ability to add any of them to their follow squad for depth.
Henry didn’t gown for Friday night time’s preseason sport after struggling an obvious damage Wednesday in follow. Gesicki continues to be getting back from a shoulder damage.
Another possibility is to assert a participant off waivers or so as to add an out of doors choice to the follow squad.
The Patriots already waived Johnny Lumpkin and Scotty Washington.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10)
In — David Andrews, Jake Andrews, Trent Brown, Vederian Lowe, Atonio Mafi, Mike Onwenu, Riley Reiff, Sidy Sow, Cole Strange. Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Out — James Ferentz, Chasen Hines, Conor McDermott, Bill Murray, Kody Russey, Andrew Stueber
NFI — Calvin Anderson
The Herald’s take: The Patriots wanted to maintain 10 gamers right here since Onwenu, Reiff and Strange are all banged up. Enter Lowe and Wheatley, who can play both sort out spot.
Getting Anderson again off of the non-football sickness record can be massive. There’s nonetheless a query of how lengthy it will take him to completely get into sport form, nonetheless. The Patriots’ season opener is formally lower than two weeks away, and Anderson hasn’t practiced for the reason that spring.
We don’t know the total extent of Reiff’s damage because it was suffered in Friday’s preseason sport. He was not practising Sunday.
This group has been a catastrophe this summer season. There’s nonetheless time for everybody to get wholesome, it’s a whole thriller who shall be enjoying proper sort out even when the entire group is on the market.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7)
In — Christian Barmore, Daniel Ekuale, Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy, Sam Roberts, Keion White, Deatrich Wise
Out — Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
PUP — Trey Flowers
The Herald’s take: Carl Davis was considerably unexpectedly minimize early on Saturday. He’s been a contributor for 3 seasons in New England. Justus Tavai was additionally waived.
That ought to open a path for Roberts to make the workforce.
Barmore, Ekuale, Godchaux, Guy, White and Wise all ought to be protected. Pharms has had good moments within the preseason however is a greater follow squad possibility.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (3)
In — Anfernee Jennings, Matt Judon, Josh Uche
Out — Ronnie Perkins
The Herald’s take: Perkins is form of a tricky name after he performed along with his hair on fireplace Friday night time however finally left the sport early with an damage. He totaled 5 pressures on 20 pass-rush snaps. But accidents have plagued him for 3 offseasons now.
The Patriots already launched Carson Wells.
The Patriots are set right here with Jennings, Judon and Uche. White and Wise additionally contribute as edge defenders.
LINEBACKER (4)
In — Ja’Whaun Bentley, Marte Mapu, Jahlani Tavai, Mack Wilson
Out — Joe Giles-Harris, Calvin Munson
The Herald’s take: Munson made an awesome remaining push for a roster spot Friday night time, however we’re finally leaving him off of the roster. The Patriots have good linebacker depth right here in Bentley, Mapu, Tavai and Wilson, and the Patriots ought to have the ability to begin the season with Munson on the follow squad.
He’d be a powerful candidate for an early-season call-up. The Patriots will possible elevate him for particular groups, and ultimately, they’ll must signal him to the 53-man roster to proceed utilizing him in video games.
Diego Fagot was waived.
CORNERBACK (6)
In — Myles Bryant, Christian Gonzalez, Jack Jones, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Ameer Speed
Out — Isaiah Bolden, Shaun Wade
The Herald’s take: Speed will get stored on as a developmental cornerback and special-teams possibility. Wade may nonetheless be a darkish horse for a roster spot if the Patriots imagine they’ll be with out Jack Jones for any stretch this season as he faces gun prices.
Most gamers will get by waivers with out a downside. Wade was a fifth-round decide two years in the past. It wouldn’t be stunning if he drew some curiosity.
Bryant, Gonzalez and the three Joneses are locks to make the workforce. The Patriots already minimize Quandre Mosely and Rodney Randle.
SAFETY (4)
In — Kyle Dugger, Jalen Mills, Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips
Out — Joshuah Bledsoe
The Herald’s take: Bledsoe didn’t fairly do sufficient this summer season to earn a roster spot, although he’s a powerful practice-squad candidate. The Patriots have extra depth right here in Mapu, Bryant, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones and Speed, all of whom can play security.
We nonetheless don’t know who shall be enjoying free security, however count on to see extra two-high appears to be like within the Patriots’ defensive backfield.
Brad Hawkins was already waived.
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: It wouldn’t be stunning if Folk is stored on the roster as insurance coverage in case Ryland isn’t prepared instantly. But generally it’s value taking an opportunity and burning the lifeboats. Ryland can’t be wanting over his shoulder at Folk.
Source: www.bostonherald.com