{"id":71916,"date":"2019-08-31T19:16:22","date_gmt":"2019-08-31T23:16:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=71916"},"modified":"2021-05-30T20:53:32","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T00:53:32","slug":"new-england-patriots-53-man-roster-instant-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/08\/31\/new-england-patriots-53-man-roster-instant-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots 53 Man Roster Instant Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New England Patriots<\/a> have officially survived roster cuts and are ready for the start of the regular season. The 53 man roster is set as the Patriots get ready to defend their Super Bowl title. While there could (and likely will) be a few moves between now and the start of the regular season, let\u2019s take a quick look at the initial 53 man roster.<\/p>\n

New England Patriots 53 Man Roster Instant Analysis, Takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Team<\/h3>\n

Quarterback (2) \u2013 Tom Brady<\/a>, Jarrett Stidham<\/a><\/strong>
\nRunning Back (6) \u2013 Sony Michel<\/a>, James White<\/a>, Rex Burkhead<\/a>, Damien Harris<\/a>, Brandon Bolden<\/a>, James Develin<\/a><\/strong>
\nWide Receiver (7) – Julian Edelman<\/a>, Josh Gordon<\/a>, N\u2019Keal Harry<\/a>, Phillip Dorsett<\/a>, Jakobi Meyers<\/a>, Matthew Slater<\/a>, Gunner Olszewski<\/a><\/strong>
\nTight End (2) \u2013 Ryan Izzo, Matt LaCosse<\/a> (Ben Watson<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 suspended)
\nOffensive Line (8) \u2013 Isaiah Wynn<\/a>, Joe Thuney<\/a>, Shaq Mason<\/a>, Marcus Cannon<\/a>, Ted Karras<\/a>, Kenny Cunningham, Jermaine Eluemunor, Russell Bodine<\/a><\/strong>
\nDefensive Line (9) \u2013 Michael Bennett<\/a>, Lawrence Guy<\/a>, Danny Shelton<\/a>, Adam Butler<\/a>, Byron Cowart<\/a>, Deatrich Wise<\/a>, John Simon<\/a>, Chase Winovich<\/a>, Shilique Calhoun<\/a><\/strong>
\nLinebacker (5) \u2013 Dont\u2019a Hightower<\/a>, Kyle Van Noy<\/a>, Jamie Collins<\/a>, Ja\u2019Whaun Bentley<\/a>, Elandon Roberts<\/a><\/strong>
\nCornerback (5) \u2013 Stephon Gilmore<\/a>, Jason McCourty<\/a>, J.C. Jackson<\/a>, Jonathan Jones<\/a>, Joejuan Williams<\/a><\/strong>
\nSafety (6) \u2013 Devin McCourty<\/a>, Patrick Chung<\/a>, Duron Harmon<\/a>, Terrence Brooks<\/a>, Nate Ebner<\/a>, Obi Melifonwu<\/a><\/strong>
\nSpecial Teams (3) \u2013 Stephen Gostkowski<\/a>, Jake Bailey, Joe Cardona<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Offensive Takeaways<\/h3>\n

The biggest surprise on the offensive side of the ball revolves around undrafted free agent Gunner Olszewski. Olszewski spent his collegiate career playing cornerback before transferring to wide receiver during camp. During the course of the offseason, Olszewski has gone from a complete afterthought to making the 53 man roster right out of camp. Olszewski should be the primary returner and has the ability to play wide receiver and cornerback in a pinch.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the biggest surprise cut is Demaryius Thomas<\/a><\/strong>. Thomas made his preseason debut in Week Four and looked good while on the field. Even though he didn\u2019t make the initial cut, look for him to come back before long. According to multiple reports, it sounds like the Patriots and Thomas are both interested in a reunion after a re-worked contract. Thomas won\u2019t be exposed to waivers, so it would be a huge surprise if he\u2019s not a Patriots come Week One.<\/p>\n

Brian<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>Hoyer\u00a0<\/strong>is one of the better backups in the NFL, yet the Patriots clearly felt Jarrett Stidham was up for the job. The fourth-round rookie made some great throws throughout the preseason and appears ready for the backup duty. He’s still far from a finished product, but he should be able to carry this offense if Brady has to miss a week or two of action. Hopefully, the Patriots will never have to test that theory.<\/p>\n

The Patriots placed starting center David Andrews<\/a><\/strong> on the injured reserve, so he\u2019s ineligible to come back this season. In his absence, the Patriots will send out Ted Karras to handle starting duties. The Patriots had minimal offensive line depth just a week ago, so newly-acquired Kenny Cunningham, Jermaine Eluemunor, and Russell Bodine all made the roster.<\/p>\n

Defensive Takeaways<\/h3>\n

The NFL has not been nice to Derek Rivers<\/a><\/strong>. After tearing his ACL in his rookie season, the defensive lineman spent the majority of his second season riding the bench. The former third-round pick had a chance to prove himself this offseason, but couldn\u2019t separate from the pack. The Patriots put Rivers on the injured reserve, giving him one last chance to prove himself in 2020.<\/p>\n

The Patriots might have the deepest linebacker core in all of football. All five players are capable of starting, and the unit should be among the league\u2019s best barring a ridiculous amount of injuries.<\/p>\n

Likewise, the secondary doesn\u2019t have a single bad player. It\u2019s interesting that the Patriots carried six safeties, as Obi Melifonwu hasn\u2019t looked that great during the preseason. However, Melifonwu is a great athlete and Bill Belichick knows more about football than I do. If he can harness Melifonwu\u2019s athletic potential, then New England might have the heir to Patrick Chung.<\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>