Following their preseason finale on Sunday, the Patriots have less than 48 hours to whittle their roster down to the required 53 players by Tuesday's 4pm ET deadline — let's get nuts.
Before we get into my final roster projection, there are two big-picture things to discuss. First, head coach Jerod Mayo offered his perspective on how he and personnel chief Eliot Wolf view the practice squad last week. Maybe my interpretation of his comments is incorrect, but it felt like he acknowledged their approach would be slightly different from former head coach Bill Belichick's way of filling out the practice squad.
"The way we look at the practice squad is a developmental [unit]. It's not a, 'Alright, this guy's just out here to take snaps.' We're going to depend on these guys, whether it's Week 1 or the end of the season. We look to develop these guys, so it's definitely important," Mayo said.
My read on Mayo's comments was that the Patriots won't play as many games with the roster the way Belichick notoriously did in the past. For example, last cutdown day, Belichick kept one quarterback on the initial roster (Mac Jones), cutting backup Bailey Zappe and third-stringer Malik Cunningham. Similarly, Belichick initially went without a kicker in 2020.
The former Patriots coach rolled the dice that his quarterbacks would pass through waivers last August, and to his credit, Belichick was right. New England freed up roster spots for players at other positions while stashing Zappe on the practice squad to be Jones's backup. However, those roster decisions were risky. They could've backfired if another team claimed Zappe, and it could've fractured the relationship between the team and the player.
The other angle to Belichick's approach was utilizing the league's standard elevation rules to stash veterans on the practice squad to protect developmental players on the 53. Although a player like Kayshon Boutte was only active for five games in his rookie season, the Patriots saw potential in Boutte. Therefore, Belichick protected Boutte on the roster, opting to elevate players like Zappe from the practice squad.
It was very common for the Patriots to elevate more experienced players from the practice squad to activate them on game days over developmental youngsters. Based on Mayo's comments, the new regime might prioritze players they envision having game-day roles over players still in the development phase, which could impact roster decisions.
Lastly, the thought crossed my mind to keep fewer than 53 players on the initial roster, as Belichick did in his first season with the Patriots. New England determined it didn't have 53 players worthy of being rostered in 2000, so they cut down to 51 and added players via waivers. Most notably, the team claimed linebacker Matt Chatham, who won three Super Bowls with the club.
Frankly, it was challenging to get to 53 players on the current roster. You could make a case that these Patriots should mimic Belichick and former personnel chief Scott Pioli's rebuilding strategy. However, changes to injured reserve rules open doors that didn't exist back then to keep certain players around while freeing up roster spots for external additions (more on that later).
Without further ado, here is my final attempt at the initial 53-man roster for the Patriots:
Quarterback (3): Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton
Cut/Trade (1): Bailey Zappe
Although keeping all four quarterbacks is a consideration, it feels inevitable that the Patriots will cut the room down to these three QBs. It's hard to find a role for Zappe, who has been fine this summer but is who he is entering year three.
The other three quarterbacks have clear roles: Brissett is the short-term starter/mentor, Maye is the future, and Milton is the lottery ticket worth developing due to his upside. Where does that leave Zappe? Zappe's only path to the roster was as a short-term backup to avoid playing Maye before he's ready. If Brissett gets hurt in the first month of the season, Zappe steps into the bridge role while Maye continues on the same development plan. At this point, Maye is ready to play if Brissett goes down with an injury, even if they have to use an abbreviated playbook.
Running Back (4): Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, JaMycal Hasty, Kevin Harris
Cut (3): Terrell Jennings, Deshaun Fenwick
Another position group that shouldn't have too many surprises. If it were Belichick, the Patriots might stash JaMycal Hasty and/or Kevin Harris on the practice squad. However, the current regime has stressed the running game so much since taking over that having enough depth at running back should be a priority. Hasty will back up Gibson in the sub/receiving back role, while Harris has shown well this summer as a more decisive between-the-tackles ball carrier.
Hasty's wiggle and ability to make yards in the screen game have caught the eye. As he pointed out to reporters last week, Hasty is surrounded by bigger backs in the room. Gibson brings straight-line explosiveness, but Hasty is the lone jitterbug here. Hasty is also a core contributor on special teams. He adds value to the roster and should make the team.
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, Matt Landers
The wide receiver position came down to the wire for me, and at different points, I had all seven receivers on the initial roster (adding Boutte). However, Boutte only appearing in the second half in the preseason finale gave me pause. Polk, Osborn, and Baker are all priorities over Boutte, and they play similar roles, while Bourne is another receiver in the same mold.
The second-year wideout might be one of their best 53 players, but meeting certain positional thresholds matters, and he didn't make it impossible for them to cut him. Furthermore, we always assume that they'll lose players on waivers, but it's very possible that Boutte could return to the practice squad once he clears waivers.
Overall, the talent level, or at least the upside, feels higher this year than in recent seasons. At the very least, the Pats got rid of DeVante Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster and replaced them with two promising rookies. They still need a No. 1 guy, but Rome wasn't built in a day.
Tight End (3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell
Cuts (3): Mitchell Wilcox, La'Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren
If we are true to our theory that the Patriots will prioritize game-day actives over developmental players, Wilcox should probably make the initial roster over Bell. However, I'm a big Bell guy, and his flashes once healthy in camp are enough for me. The Patriots also have two primary in-line options with Henry and Hooper, who are poised for big roles. One thing that stood out throughout camp was how involved the tight ends were in the passing game, and whether it was Henry or Hooper, they were getting open in practice. Henry was having a terrific camp before his injury, which Coach Mayo said shouldn't be a long-term issue.
Back to Bell, the seventh-round rookie brings explosiveness and versatility to the room. The upside to be a movable chess piece in the offense, along with his skill as a ball carrier, is evident. Bell had a 16-yard crosser and an 11-yard catch-and-run in the preseason, which were exactly what we envisioned him doing in this scheme. Bell is not an in-line blocker, but he has too much upside as a playmaker to put him on waivers.
Offensive Line (9): David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Sidy Sow, Chuks Okorafor, Vederian Lowe, Layden Robinson, Caedan Wallace, Nick Leverett, Michael Jordan
PUP (1): Cole Strange, Cuts (6): Calvin Anderson, Atonio Mafi, Kellen Diesch, Charles Turner, Zuri Henry, Liam Fornadel
Obviously, the biggest area of concern for the Patriots this season is the offensive line. The starting O-Line will be comprised of the first six names on this list. The Pats spent most of camp with the following starting five: LT Lowe, LG Sow, C Andrews, RG Onwenu, RT Okorafor. Then, an injury to Lowe led to LT Okorafor, LG Sow, C Andrews, RG Robinson, and RT Onwenu to end camp.
Eventually, you'd like to see Robinson and third-rounder Caedan Wallace in the starting lineup. Wallace's clearest path is at left tackle, but he is still adjusting to playing on the left side. Robinson's issue is a logjam on the interior, where Onwenu, Andrews, and Sow are clearly in this team's top five. Onwenu can play right tackle, but he's better suited for RG.
Lowe has improved to maximize his 88th percentile length and stay more balanced in his pass sets. He has physical limitations with his change-of-direction talent and needs to be more consistent with his technique. But he's been better than some of the hate he gets suggests, and Lowe might be a better left tackle than Okorafor. Ultimately, the Pats need a stop-gap left tackle, with either Wallace or a high draft pick in 2025 as the long-term plan at left tackle. I'd try LT Lowe, LG Sow, C Andrews, RG Robinson, and RT Onwenu. Of course, all this changes if Sow (ankle) misses time.
In the depth department, Leverett has emerged as a three-position backup on the interior. Originally, I had Anderson over Jordan simply because he plays tackle and could head to injured reserve to create a roster spot. However, the injury to Sow in the preseason finale and Leverett's struggles made me reconsider. Jordan's 29 career starts gives them an experienced option at guard in case Sow's injury is serious. If Sow's situation was just a scare, I'd stick with Anderson for the OT depth.
Defensive Line (5): Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise, Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms, Armon Watts
IR (1): Christian Barmore, Cuts (5): Trysten Hill, Sam Roberts, William Bradley-King, Jotham Russell, Josiah Bronson
Camp began with the unfortunate news that Christian Barmore (blood clots) is out indefinitely. It's a major blow to the front seven on a team that needs their defense to dominate. There's still no timetable for Barmore to return, but new rules this year allow the Pats to place him on IR-designated to return on cutdown day. Barmore won't count toward the 53-man roster limit and can still return this season.
Without Barmore, the assumption might be that the Patriots are short on interior pass-rushers. However, losing him as a three-down player is more worrisome. Barmore became an impact run defender last season, leading to a monster extension in the offseason. Now, it feels like the Pats are a run-stuffer short on the D-Line, while they'll be more situational with role players rather than players who can play in all situations.
As for the backend of the roster, Watts, like Anderson, did not earn this roster spot. However, he can be placed on in-season injured reserve as stashed depth. Plus, I'm willing to trust his Steelers tape from last season over an underwhelming training camp. It's worth seeing if Watts can get healthy and ramp it back up during the season.
With the veteran earning the last roster spot, the odd man out is Trysten Hill. Hill is an energetic rusher who can penetrate the backfield, but they need more gap-sound players vs. the run. Adding another run-stuffer is on my radar as a potential waiver claim.
EDGE (4): Keion White, Joshua Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Oshane Ximines
Cuts (2): Kobe Jones, Christian McCarroll
The Patriots might be one body short along the defensive line, but second-year EDGE Keion White is a hybrid player. White's projected role is reminiscent of former Patriot standout Trey Flowers. Flowers would play over the tackle on early downs, then kick inside to rush over the interior on passing downs. White will contribute on all downs, likely in a two-point stance in an odd front or the Pats 2-4-5 defense, and then, like Flowers, kick inside on third down. White looks poised to have a breakout year using power from the edge and snap quickness on the interior.
The Patriots have situational role players on the edge who will likely platoon the edge spot opposite White. Jennings picked up where he left off as an early-down edge setter in camp, while Ximines emerged as another option alongside Uche to rush the passer. On third down, Uche and Ximines could both be on the field, with White moving inside with someone like Ekuale or Wise as interior sub-rushers.
Uche had an odd camp where he didn't participate much in team drills. He hasn't been able to reestablish the rhythm he played with in the 2022 season, when he sequenced together explosive rush moves to torment tackles. Uche's effectiveness and playing time are on my radar. If he can't return to form, Ximines might emerge as the designated pass rusher.
Inside Linebacker (4): Ja'Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Raekwon McMillan, Joe Giles-Harris
PUP (1): Sione Takitaki, Cuts (2): Christian Elliss, Steele Chambers
The Patriots have an underrated linebacker tandem. Bentley and Tavai aren't the new-age prototypes the league covets nowadays, but they're sound football players who do a lot of heavy lifting in this defense. The real ball knowers understand their value. After missing the 2023 season due to a torn Achilles, McMillan is also back to add another thumper at the second level, who will also contribute on special teams.
Those three linebackers are roster locks for the Patriots. The real roster crunch comes for the fourth off-ball linebacker spot, with that door opening because of Takitaki's injury. The free-agent addition still hasn't practiced after undergoing a knee procedure in the offseason. For now, Giles-Harris's strong preseason earns him a spot until Takitaki is healthy.
Cornerback (7): Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Shaun Wade, Marco Wilson
Cuts (3): Marcellas Dial, Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor
The Pats carry seven corners on the initial roster to keep as many NFL players in camp as possible. It's a large number, but teams have done it in the past, and again, it's not like the Patriots are hard-pressed for roster spots in other position groups.
As far as roles go, the first three names are your starting corners: Gonzalez (X shadow), Jon Jones (Z shadow), and Marcus Jones (nickel/slot). Then, it's an ongoing, ride-the-hot-hand battle for the fourth corner spot to add some size on the boundary. I'm leaning toward Austin getting the first crack at rotating in to cover bigger receivers on the outside. But it's worth noting that Wilson had a strong camp.
Lastly, Bolden earns a roster spot for his four-down versatility. He can play inside, outside, and has taken reps at safety this summer. Bolden also projects as a core special-teamer and potential return man. Dial is the odd man out as a prime practice squad candidate.
Safety (5): Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler, Dell Pettus
IR (1): Marte Mapu, Cuts (2): AJ Thomas, Joshuah Bledsoe
The Patriots hoped 2023 third-rounder Marte Mapu would be their next hybrid safety. However, Mapu has struggled to stay healthy in his first two NFL seasons. Before discussing where he fits into the puzzle, Mapu needs to be available. After missing time as a rookie, he sat out all but one training camp practice this summer. Mapu is a top candidate along with Barmore to land on injured reserve-designated to return on cutdown day.
Mapu's injury opened the door for undrafted rookie Dell Pettus to make the roster. Pettus plays bigger than his listed size (5-11, 205), can cover tight ends, short zones, and play deep in split-safety shells. Hawkins could be a sneaky positive addition as a Duron Harmon-type in the backend. The veteran comes on the field in three-safety packages to play in centerfield, allowing Dugger and Peppers to play closer to the line.
New England feels great about their safety room. The Dugger-Peppers pairing could be one of the best safety tandems in the NFL this season.
Specialists (3): Joey Slye, Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona
Cuts (2): Chad Ryland, Tucker Addington
Slye out-kicked Ryland this summer in practice and was accurate in his opportunities during the preseason as well. Besides being a fourth-round pick in his second year, there is little pointing to Ryland winning this job.
Last Three On: Armon Watts, Michael Jordan, Dell Pettus
While considering if the Patriots should cut below the 53-man limit, these three names were top of mind. Watts was ineffective this summer and is a strong candidate to begin the year on in-season IR, freeing up a roster spot. Jordan is a one-position backup at guard, which is tough to roster, and Pettus is likely a practice squad signee on a deeper team.
Since the Pats aren't pressed for room on the 53, it made more sense to maintain team control on the bottom of the roster, opting to create roster spots for waivers/free agents by utilizing injured reserve. You can designate eight players placed on in-season injured reserve to return, so there's a lot of flexibility.
Last Three Off: Trysten Hill, Calvin Anderson, Marcellas Dial
Practice squad: QB Placeholder (DTR?), RB Terrell Jennings, WR Kayshon Boutte, WR David Wallis, TE Mitchell Wilcox, T Kellen Diesch, T Zuri Henry, G/C Liam Fornadel, C Charles Turner, DL William Bradley-King, DL Sam Roberts, LB Christian Elliss, CB Marcellas Dial, CB Mikey Victor, S Joshuah Bledsoe, K Chad Ryland
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
