With free agency and the NFL Draft officially concluded, the 2020 New England Patriots are starting to take shape. While there is obviously a lot of time between now and the start of the season, it\u2019s never too early to break down the current team. Thanks to the new CBA, the Patriots are now allowed to keep 55 players on their active roster. Let\u2019s take a look at who those players could be in the first edition of the Patriots roster projection.<\/p>\n
In: Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer, J\u2019Mar Smith<\/em><\/p>\n For better or worse, this is going to be Jarrett Stidham<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s team in 2020. The former fourth-round pick is the unquestioned starter after the team opted to pass on the quarterback position in the draft. Stidham was a top quarterback prospect prior to an atrocious 2018 season, and hopefully, his one poor season had more to do with Auburn than him.<\/p>\n If Stidham isn\u2019t up for the job, Brian Hoyer<\/a><\/strong> has plenty of experience as a bridge quarterback in this league. Undrafted free agent J\u2019Mar Smith<\/strong> is capable of making some of the greatest and worst plays you\u2019ll ever see on the football field. Bill Belichick<\/strong> will want to keep him around to see if he can coach the poor decisions out of his game.<\/p>\n Running Back\/Fullback (6)<\/p>\n In: Sony Michel, James White, Damien Harris, Brandon Bolden, Danny Vitale, J.J. Taylor<\/em><\/p>\n Rex Burkhead<\/a><\/strong> is the odd man out in this Patriots roster projection. The longtime NFL veteran can be productive when on the field, but he struggles to stay healthy and the team can save<\/a> about $2.9 million by cutting ties. Sony Michel<\/a><\/strong> and James White<\/a><\/strong> are locked into their respective roles, and Damien Harris<\/a><\/strong> should be able to handle backup work.<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to imagine Bill Belichick<\/strong> letting Brandon Bolden<\/a><\/strong> go after losing him in 2018. With James Develin<\/a> <\/strong>retired, Danny Vitale<\/a><\/strong> takes over as New England\u2019s primary fullback. J.J. Taylor<\/strong><\/a> won\u2019t see the field much in 2020, but he has the physical tools to be the pass-catching back of the future.<\/p>\n In: Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, Mohamed Sanu, Jakobi Meyers, Matthew Slater, Damiere Byrd, Jeff Thomas<\/em><\/p>\n Considering the uncertainty at the position, the Patriots keep a lot of receivers in this roster projection and hope something sticks. Julian Edelman<\/a><\/strong>, N\u2019Keal Harry<\/strong><\/a>, and Matthew Slater<\/a><\/strong> are locks, with Mohamed Sanu<\/a><\/strong> and Jakobi Meyers<\/a><\/strong> both pretty safe. Despite the $6.5 million in cap savings, it\u2019s hard to imagine the team moving on from Sanu with so few options at the position.<\/p>\n The rest of the depth chart is anyone\u2019s guess, but for now, Damiere Byrd<\/strong><\/a> and Jeff Thomas<\/strong> earn the final spots. Byrd is one of the few players New England signed in undrafted free agency, and his relatively high $600,000 in guaranteed money implies that the team likes him. Thomas, meanwhile, has the best tape of all of the undrafted free agents and has the potential to be a solid depth piece for years to come.<\/p>\n In: Matt LaCosse, Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene<\/em><\/p>\n Devin Asiasi<\/strong><\/a> and Dalton Keene<\/strong><\/a> are locks, as both players possess intriguing long-term upside<\/a>. However, tight ends historically aren\u2019t ready to contribute in Year 1, so the Patriots should keep at least one veteran on the roster. Matt LaCosse<\/a><\/strong> was notably better than Ryan Izzo<\/strong><\/a> last year, so he earns the spot on the roster.<\/p>\n In: Isaiah Wynn, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon, Yodny Cajuste, Hjalte Froholdt, Michael Onwenu<\/em><\/p>\n The starting five are set in stone with Isaiah Wynn<\/a>, Joe Thuney<\/a>, David Andrews<\/a>, Shaq Mason<\/a>, <\/strong>and Marcus Cannon<\/a><\/strong>. Yodny Cajuste<\/strong><\/a> should earn the primary backup tackle job, as the former third-round pick possesses first-round talent when healthy. Hjalte Froholdt<\/strong><\/a> struggled during the 2019 preseason, but hopefully, he can improve during his second year in the league. 2020 sixth-round pick Michael Onwenu<\/strong><\/a> is an absolute monster of a man that never gets moved in pass protection. While conditioning could be an issue, he\u2019s a great developmental prospect that should stick around for a while.<\/p>\n In: Lawrence Guy, Adam Butler, Byron Cowart, John Simon, Chase Winovich, Deatrich Wise, Nick Coe, Derek Rivers<\/em><\/p>\n Lawrence Guy<\/a><\/strong> and Adam Butler<\/a><\/strong> are locks on the interior, and Byron Cowart<\/strong><\/a> earns the first shot at replacing Danny Shelton<\/a><\/strong>. The former fifth-round pick had his moments in the preseason and should secure a rotational spot with another strong summer. John Simon<\/a><\/strong> and Chase Winovich<\/a><\/strong> should be the top two edge defenders on the defense, at least in the early part of the year. Both players played well in limited snaps last year and should be ready for increased work.<\/p>\n Deatrich Wise<\/a><\/strong> is what he is at this point in his career, which is a solid rotational lineman. Nick Coe<\/strong><\/a> is a good run-stuffer and has as good a chance as any undrafted free agent to make the roster. Derek Rivers<\/a><\/strong> was the 55th<\/sup> man on this list and will probably lose his spot to whichever unexpected player puts on a show in the preseason.<\/p>\n In: Dont’a Hightower, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Shilique Calhoun<\/em><\/p>\n The difference between \u201cdefensive line\u201d and \u201clinebacker\u201d can be a little blurred, but this is how I see the front seven shaking out. Dont\u2019a Hightower<\/strong><\/a> remains the top dog and de-facto leader of the front seven, while Ja\u2019Whaun Bentley<\/strong><\/a> earns a bigger role with Kyle Van Noy<\/a><\/strong> and Jamie Collins<\/a><\/strong> departed.<\/p>\n Josh Uche<\/strong><\/a> and Anfernee Jennings<\/strong><\/a> both possess great upside, but both players might need time before they\u2019re ready to contribute. Shilique Calhoun<\/a><\/strong> earns the final spot thanks to his experience on the roster, but his job is anything but safe.<\/p>\n In: Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Jason McCourty, Joejuan Williams, Justin Bethel<\/em><\/p>\n New England has arguably the deepest top-four cornerbacks in football with Stephon Gilmore<\/a><\/strong>, J.C. Jackson<\/a><\/strong>, Jonathan Jones<\/a>, <\/strong>and Jason McCourty<\/a><\/strong>. In an offseason where just about everything changed, it\u2019s good to retain the most important part of any defense.<\/p>\n Joejuan Williams<\/a><\/strong> looked good when on the field last year, but he\u2019ll still struggle to find playing time behind this fantastic depth. Justin Bethel<\/a><\/strong> is one of the best special teamers in the league, so his spot is more secure than just about anyone else on the roster.<\/p>\n In: Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Adrian Phillips, Terrence Brooks, Kyle Dugger, Brandon King<\/em><\/p>\n Carrying six safeties feels like a lot, but it\u2019s hard to find anyone to remove. Devin McCourty<\/a><\/strong> is a lock, as the franchise icon just re-signed to a big-money deal. Adrian Phillips<\/a><\/strong> was arguably New England\u2019s biggest signing, and Kyle Dugger <\/strong><\/a>was a second-round pick. Brandon King<\/a><\/strong>, a safety in name only, is one of the core members of the special teams unit.<\/p>\n Terrence Brooks<\/a><\/strong> and Patrick Chung<\/a><\/strong> both make the cut in this Patriots roster projection, but it\u2019s easy to imagine one of the two losing their spot. Brooks played well in limited snaps last year, while Chung began to show signs of slowing down. New England could save $2 million in cap space should they decide to move on without Chung.<\/p>\n In: Justin Rohrwasser, Jake Bailey, Joe Cardona<\/em><\/p>\n Not much to say here. None of these three have any competition and will keep their respective jobs, barring injury.<\/p>\n Main photo:Wide Receiver (7)<\/h3>\n
Tight End (3)<\/h3>\n
Offensive Line (8)<\/h3>\n
Defensive Line (8)<\/h3>\n
Linebacker (5)<\/h3>\n
Cornerback (6)<\/h3>\n
Safety (6)<\/h3>\n
Specialists (3)<\/h3>\n
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>