The first two weeks of the preseason are officially in the books, and the New England Patriots roster is starting to take shape. While there are still several jobs up for grabs, a few unheralded stars have made their case for the roster. Without further ado, here is the second version of the New England Patriots 53-man roster projection.
New England Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection – Preseason Update
Quarterback (2)
In: Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer
Notable Cuts: Danny Etling
Brian Hoyer was the heavy favorite to win the backup job entering training camp, and Danny Etling hasn’t done enough to change that projection. The seventh-round rookie struggled with consistency in camp and hasn’t stood out in game action.
Etling has some raw tools and, by all accounts, has been putting in as much time as humanly possible to becoming the best quarterback he can be. However, he’s still a year or two away from being ready for the backup role. A year on the practice squad would be the best thing for the young passer.
Running Back/Fullback (6)
In: Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead, James White, Jeremy Hill, James Develin, Brandon Bolden
Notable Cuts: Mike Gillislee, Ralph Webb
Granted, it’s only the preseason, but Jeremy Hill looks like he found his early-career form. After exploding for 1,918 yards and 20 touchdowns over the first two years of his career, Hill’s production has slowed down in recent years. However, Hill underwent minor surgery for a nagging injury, and it seems to have done the trick.
Mike Gillislee entered camp battling for one of the final spots on the roster. So far, he has considerably underperformed. He’s been outplayed by both Hill and Ralph Webb and is the most expensive of the three. Barring significant injuries, it’s hard to see Gillislee making the roster.
After a fantastic preseason debut, undrafted rookie Ralph Webb hardly saw the field against the Philadelphia Eagles. While he has the athletic ability to contribute, the coaching staff clearly feels he’s not quite ready. If he can clear waivers, he would be a great addition to the practice squad.
Wide Receiver (6)
In: Chris Hogan, Cordarrelle Patterson, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, Riley McCarron, Matthew Slater
Notable Cuts: Braxton Berrios, Eric Decker
This grouping may be the least inspiring on the Patriots roster. Outside of Chris Hogan, there really isn’t a sure thing with Julian Edelman suspended. That said, Brady has done more with less in the past. The 2006 and 2013 receiver depth charts were worse than this one, and both offenses were among the best in the league.
Don’t expect recent signee Eric Decker to make the roster. Despite the lack of talent on the roster, Decker has failed to impress thus far in training camp. He’s lost a step and has struggled with drops in both practices and games. The Patriots kicked the tires hoping there was something left in Decker’s tank. There isn’t.
The slot receiver battle then comes down to Braxton Berrios and Riley McCarron, with McCarron earning the nod. This battle is very much neck-and-neck, and Berrios certainly could overtake McCarron before the regular season. However, when Phillip Dorsett suffered a minor injury earlier in camp, McCarron took over as the third receiver. This shows he’s higher on the depth chart, and Berrios hasn’t done enough to usurp him.
Tight End (3)
In: Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen, Jacob Hollister
The Jacob Hollister hype train has left the station, and it is not slowing down any time soon. After a promising rookie season, Hollister added weight to both improve his work as a blocker and increase his ability to win contested catches. So far, all signs point to a breakout year from the second-year tight end. He’s the least talented blocker of the three, but the second-best pass catcher (nobody’s better than Gronkowski).
Dwayne Allen reportedly is more comfortable in the offense this season and could go back to serving as a solid red zone threat. His work as a blocker is already second to none, but if he can be even a minor threat in the passing game, this offense just becomes that much more dangerous.
Rob Gronkowski is going to be amazing, that’s undeniable. However, if the other two can play up to their ceilings, New England may just have the best tight end grouping in football.
Offensive Line (8)
In: Trent Brown, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon, Isaiah Wynn, LaAdrian Waddle, Ted Karras
Last years starting offensive line returns, with the exception of Trent Brown replacing Nate Solder. Brown, traditionally a right tackle, has looked good on the left side in the preseason. Possessing surprising quickness and lateral agility, the 6’-8”, 380-pound tackle is one of the best pass blockers in all of football. Honestly, the Patriots may have upgraded their offensive line without Solder.
This projection assumes that rookie offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn isn’t seriously injured. The rookie suffered an ankle injury in Thursday’s matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles and had to be carted to the locker room. As of this posting, nobody knows the extent of his injury.
Update: Medical tests show Isaiah Wynn suffered a ruptured Achilles. He will miss the duration of the 2018 season
Should Wynn be sidelined for a considerable amount of time, look for Cole Croston to get the final spot on the roster. Croston spent the 2017 season with the Patriots, serving as an emergency depth option. While he hardly saw playing time, the coaching staff trusted him with a spot all season long. Expect the same in 2018 should Wynn’s ankle injury prove serious.
Defensive Line (8)
In: Deatrich Wise, Derek Rivers, Trey Flowers, Danny Shelton, Lawrence Guy, Malcom Brown, Adrian Clayborn, Adam Butler
Notable Cuts: Vincent Valentine, Keionta Davis
Edge defense was arguably the biggest flaw on the 2017 Patriots, and that issue appears to be improved heading into 2018. Trey Flowers is a great player, and Adrian Clayborn looks like a great addition on the other edge. The true ceiling of this group will be determined by second-year players Deatrich Wise Jr. and Derek Rivers. Both players have looked good in the preseason, but the real test will come in the regular season.
Adam Butler, Keionta Davis, and Vincent Valentine are fighting for the last spot on the depth chart, and right now it goes to Butler. While Valentine flashed promise as a rookie, he hasn’t stood out since missing the duration of 2017 with an injury. Davis has performed well in practice and the preseason, but he’s a highly unknown commodity.
Butler, meanwhile, spent his 2017 showing promise as an interior pass rusher. He’s added weight and is now that much harder to move on running plays. Additionally, Butler appears to have improved his game as a pass rusher. While Butler hasn’t secured the spot yet, it’s certainly his to lose.
Linebacker (6)
In: Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Marquis Flowers, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Elandon Roberts, Brandon King
Notable Cuts: Christian Sam
Fifth-round rookie Ja’Whaun Bentley may have had the best preseason debut of any player on the Patriots defense. Starting his career with 11 tackles, including two for a loss, Bentley showed the ability to be a solid force against the run. He was even better in his second preseason game, as he was all over the field and arguably the best player on defense. Not only has he earned a spot on the roster, he should be third on the depth chart.
Elandon Roberts, for all his shortcomings, is actually a fairly reliable run defender when that’s all he’s asked to do. He’s more than capable of blowing up plays in the backfield and tackling guys near the line of scrimmage. For a bottom of the depth chart player, you could certainly do a lot worse.
Brandon King is a linebacker in name only. Much like Matt Slater, he’s exclusively a special teamer.
Cornerback (6)
In: Stephon Gilmore, Eric Rowe, Jason McCourty, J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Duke Dawson
Notable Cuts: Cyrus Jones, Ryan Lewis, Keion Crossen
Eric Rowe has had a strong training camp and preseason and should be seen as one of the top three cornerbacks on the roster. Likewise, undrafted rookie J.C. Jackson has made the most of his opportunities, earning himself a spot on the roster. While he makes the final cut in this projection, fellow cornerback Ryan Lewis could challenge Jackson for that final spot. Lewis has also in the midst of a strong camp and preseason and could win a depth spot.
Duke Dawson hasn’t impressed yet in the preseason, but his draft status assures him a roster spot. The same cannot be said for former second-round pick Cyrus Jones. After struggling through his rookie season, Jones missed all of 2017 with an ACL injury. Jones becomes the latest addition to the ever-expanding list of Patriots second-round busts at defensive back.
Safety (5)
In: Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Patrick Chung, Eddie Pleasant, Nate Ebner
Notable Cuts: Jordan Richards
Four of these five spots are set in stone, while Eddie Pleasant and Jordan Richards battle it out for the final roster spot. Right now, the edge has to go to Pleasant. Richards just is not a good football player and has shown no signs of improvement in this preseason. It’s remarkable he lasted this long, but his Patriots tenure should come to a close after the preseason.
Special Teams (3)
In: Stephen Gostkowski, Ryan Allen, Joe Cardona
Notable Cuts: Corey Bojorquez
No surprises here, but this isn’t as cut and dry as it normally is. Bill Belichick brought in undrafted punter Corey Bojorquez, and Bojorquez could steal Allen’s job. So far, Allen has seen the grand majority of the playing time, performing well in the preseason.
However, Allen is in the final year of his contract, and he’s only carrying a $500,000 cap hit if cut. Should Belichick decide that Bojorquez could adequately do the job, he could opt to stick with the rookie punter. This way, he won’t need to worry about losing Allen in free agency and having no punter next year. After all, that’s how Allen won the job over Zoltan Mesko all those years ago.
That said, all signs point to Allen taking the job. Allen handled each and every last punt in the second preseason game, a good sign for his roster chances. For now, it looks like more of the same at the punter position.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
