The Patriots are 11 training camp practices and one preseason game into a competitive summer in Foxborough, where head coach Jerod Mayo is focused on laying the foundation for success.

With two more preseason games and a significant joint practice with the Eagles on the horizon, New England still has a ways to go before making difficult roster decisions. Still, the dog days of camp combined with the preseason opener gave us a good look at the roster.

Here is a second stab at a 53-man roster projection for the Patriots after Thursday night's preseason opener:

Quarterback (3): Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton

Cut/Trade (1): Bailey Zappe

There's little doubt that this will be the Patriots quarterback room come September. The decision to go with a raw talent like Milton over a serviceable backup in Zappe begins a theme of prioritizing youth and ceiling over bubble vets. Zappe is a better option to back up Brissett early in the year, but it doesn't outweigh keeping upside talent. Maye is capable of backing up Brissett at this point. Although he has his warts in the short passing game, Milton's arm talent is something worth developing at quarterback.

Don't rule out the possibility that the Pats could find a trade partner for Zappe. He cleared waivers last summer, but Zappe has won games in this league, and you could do worse as a backup. New England is in a position where physical ceiling has to be the priority until they find a franchise quarterback.

Running Back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris

Cut (2): JaMycal Hasty, Terrell Jennings

My first roster projection had a placeholder spot for an RB3, assuming a veteran would be available like Zeke Elliott last year. This summer, the running back market hasn't broken the same way, while Harris has looked the part. Harris won't "wow" you with elusiveness or pass-catching ability, but he runs hard between the tackles and has displayed better vision working off zone blocks. The third-year running back made a nice cut in an inside zone scheme in Tuesday's session off rookie Caedan Wallace's block that caught the eye. There is more juice and decisiveness in Harris's movements this year.

The practice squad allows for more roster fluidity, as teams can round out their depth with only three running backs on the active roster. Hasty and Jennings will likely return to the practice squad, where New England can use game-day elevations or sign them to the 53-man roster at a later date if necessary. It's becoming common around the league to only carry three running backs on the initial roster.

Wide Receiver (6): DeMario Douglas, Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton

PUP (1): Kendrick Bourne, Cuts (4): Kayshon Boutte, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis, JaQuae Jackson

Despite all the conversations about the wide receiver corps, this group is solidifying itself already. The first four names on this list are roster locks, with Osborn coming alive in the second week of camp as a reliable base receiver in a run-heavy operation. He can block, played in an adjacent system in Minnesota, and has some size and speed to win downfield. The Pats also prioritize speed on the outside with Reagor and Thornton.

Although he's had his moments in camp, Boutte's skill set is too redundant to Polk, Baker, Osborn, and Bourne once he's healthy. Reagor and Thornton will compete all season for playing time in the 'speed X' role. AVP needs at least one receiver who can clear out space by bringing a vertical stretch element, and those two are the Patriots best options right now. If Bourne comes off the PUP list earlier than expected, the coaching staff must decide between Reagor and Thornton. For now, expect all seven receivers to be under team control until Bourne forces their hand.

Tight End (3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell

Cuts (3): La'Michael Pettway, Mitchell Wilcox, Jacob Warren

There's a lot of veteran savvy with the first two names on the list. Henry had a terrific last week or so in camp. AVP has a good history with productive tight ends, like David Njoku, targeting them deeper downfield than we've seen with Henry in recent years. It also helps that the arm talent at quarterback has been upgraded to hit those seams and slot fades. Hooper can block and provide a safety blanket on short targets. He'll do just fine in his role.

As for the third tight end, Bell has been limited throughout camp. Besides a nice catch in 7-on-7 in Tuesday's practice, he hasn't done much. Like in other spots, you'd like this team to prioritize a developmental prospect in the room. Bell should be that guy. They've also teased creative wrinkles with him lining up in different spots. As a high-upside flier in the seventh round, I'm not ready to jump off the bandwagon yet, but Bell needs to stack healthy days together.

Offensive Line (9): David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Sidy Sow, Chuks Okorafor, Calvin Anderson, Vederian Lowe, Nick Leverett, Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson

PUP (1): Cole Strange, Cuts (6): Atonio Mafi, Michael Jordan, Kellen Diesch, Charles Turner, Zuri Henry, Liam Fornadel

The Patriots continue tinkering with their starting tackles in camp, which has put a spotlight on the biggest question mark with their current roster. With each taking "starter" reps in recent practices, Calvin Anderson and Vederian Lowe are front-runners to make the team, along with veteran G/C Nick Leverett in spot-starter/top backup roles. Leverett has been serviceable at guard and center, so you feel good about him being the fourth interior offensive lineman while fourth-rounder Layden Robinson develops.

Eventually, the hope is that third-round draft choice Caedan Wallace will overtake either Anderson or Lowe in the starting lineup. However, after beginning padded practices with the top group, Wallace was moved to the second unit while getting reps at both tackle spots. Okorafor has also been a spectator in recent practices. Before that, the former Steeler had already moved back to his natural position of right tackle, as experimenting with him at left tackle was short-lived.

The Patriots don't have many great options to sort their line out this season, particularly at tackle, where they're likely to be deficient in at least one spot. The options are: 1. Okorafor (RT) and Anderson/Lowe (LT) until Wallace is ready 2. Trial by fire for Wallace in his rookie season or 3. Onwenu (RT)-Okorafor (LT) with Leverett, Robinson, or a healthy Cole Strange on the interior (avoids Anderson/Lowe//Wallace at OT).

This summer has further reinforced that the biggest hole on this roster is a starting-caliber left tackle, with the expectation that it'll be addressed with a top draft pick next April.

Defensive Line (5): Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise, Daniel Ekuale, Armon Watts, Jeremiah Pharms

IR (1): Christian Barmore, Cuts (5): Mike Purcell, Trysten Hill, Sam Roberts, William Bradley-Ling, Jotham Russell, Josiah Bronson

Patriots training camp began with the unfortunate news that stud interior defender Christian Barmore (blood clots) is out indefinitely. Although his overall health is more important than football, the Pats could place Barmore on IR-return in the hopes that he could play late in the season, but that is a long shot. You cannot replace a player of Barmore's caliber. However, the Pats will likely lean on a pass-rush package that includes Ekuale, Watts, and camp standout Jeremiah Pharms.

The one player making some noise who narrowly missed out on a roster spot is former second-round pick Trysten Hill. Hill is an energetic interior rusher with some finesse rush moves. He is also a high-motor guy in pursuit. Hill was the last player off my projection due to the numbers game, but he is a prime practice squad candidate with the possibility of game-day elevations during the regular season.

EDGE (5): Matthew Judon, Keion White, Joshua Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Oshane Ximines

Cut (1): John Morgan

I'm expecting Judon to be on the Patriots roster in Week 1. It's been a difficult saga for first-time personnel chief Eliot Wolf and head coach Jerod Mayo to navigate. Still, the most likely outcome is putting a band-aid on the situation by sweetening Judon's 2024 compensation. Depending on their record, the team could explore the trade market at the trade deadline while Judon plays out the last year of his contract to reset his value coming off an injury. With a strong season, Judon will have a market next spring. The NFL always pays for sack production.

Although Judon is expected to remain with the team for now, second-year edge rusher Keion White looks poised for a year-two leap. White has game-wrecker potential with excellent power and athleticism at 6-5, 285 pounds. However, defeating blocks and other nuances of trench play in the NFL are the biggest hurdles in White's way to taking that next step. He's certainly disruptive, especially against the run, where his physicality and penetration shine, but his hand technique and secondary rush moves remain a work in progress. If he continues to develop those details in his game, White could become a full-time player on the edge and potentially be a long-term Judon replacement in the Patriots defense.

Lastly, Ximines has played his way onto the roster. He has an incredibly high motor with natural bend and length to challenge the corner. The former Giant had decent pass-rush production when given the chance earlier in his career, logging 4.5 sacks and 25 quarterback pressures as a rookie back in 2019. Ximines takes one of the last at-large roster spots as either a standup OLB or an even front defensive end.

Inside Linebacker (4): Ja'Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Sione Takitaki, Raekwon McMillan

Cuts (3): Joe Giles-Harris, Christian Elliss, Steele Chambers

With the first two names here being key pieces at the second level of the defense, the only debates at off-ball linebacker are about Takitaki's health (currently on PUP) and whether Giles-Harris or Elliss can edge out McMillan for the last linebacker spot. Takitaki has not practiced this summer as he reportedly recovers from knee surgery in the offseason. Honestly, his absence has stretched longer into the summer than this scribe expected, so he's the one PUP guy I will project to be ready to start the season on the active roster (Strange and Bourne remain on PUP).

Despite an extensive injury history, the team continues to believe in McMillan. He has been the top backup ILB when Bentley or Tavai isn't running with the starting defense. Giles-Harris is making a push as a smaller, more athletic defender who can be a core special-teamer, and Elliss was a standout vs. Carolina in the preseason opener. We'll see if they have enough momentum to edge out McMillan by summer's end.

Cornerback (7): Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial, Shaun Wade

Cuts (3): Marco Wilson, Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor

Frankly, I've been slightly disappointed with the practice performance at cornerback this summer. The Patriots corners haven't been bad, by any means, but there have been more hiccups than expected, from Gonzalez on down. Although my worry level for Gonzo is minimal, the cornerbacks fighting to fill out the depth chart have been up and down. Marcus Jones isn't practicing again, seemingly due to injury, while we might've set the bar too high for Austin.

I'm not ready to give up on Austin or Jones, but the CB3 spot is on my radar as a potential need. With the dog days of camp ending, this is when veteran free agents typically start signing to rosters. In other words, hello, Stephon Gilmore? Possibly.

Moving further down the depth chart, Wade has been the best of the bunch working in the slot. He still has some issues with stalling out at the line of scrimmage in man coverage, but he knows the coverage system well and has broken up his fair share of passes in practice. Wade has had two strong camps since the Patriots moved him primarily back inside.

Safety (5): Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marte Mapu, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler

Cuts (3): AJ Thomas, Joshuah Bledsoe, Dell Pettus

The Patriots are set at safety after inking long-term deals with Dugger and Peppers. The Pats safety duo is locked into starting roles, and although their skill sets have some overlap, they have the talent to be one of the NFL's best tandems.

As for filling out depth, Mapu needs to start stacking healthy days on the practice field, or his job might be in jeopardy. For now, the third-round investment trumps some standout plays in practice from Pettus and the redundancy of Bledsoe, who could play a similar role. Hawkins has also been dependable this summer. He can play multiple spots and has experience playing deep safety. The fifth-year vet had a tip-drill INT in practice that was eerily reminiscent of Duron Harmon, which is the role that gives him a path to playing time.

Schooler has taken more reps at safety this summer than in years past while looking locked in as the lone special teams ace (no more multiples there). Barring injury, Dugger and Peppers will get the bulk of the snaps.

Specialists (3): Chad Ryland, Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona

Cuts (2): Joey Slye, Tucker Addington

After both kickers made their kicks in the preseason opener, the Patriots kicker competition is still too close to call. Ryland connected on two extra points, while Slye was good from 42 yards. I'm leaning toward Ryland because he has kept it together this summer so far, but Slye's big leg and solid 82.3% career field goal percentage could be the deciding factors in his favor.

Last Three On: Shaun Wade, Jaheim Bell, Marcellas Dial

Last Three Off: Trysten Hill, Kayshon Boutte, Mike Purcell

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer