The wait is finally over as the Patriots will take the field for the first official practice of training camp on Wednesday, thus kicking off the Jerod Mayo era in Foxborough. A couple of weeks ago we offered some burning questions facing Mayo and the team as camp opens, and today we'll take a way-too-early look at how we see some of those questions being answered in terms of personnel.

There are still about six weeks of football left before Mayo and Eliot Wolf will need to make these final roster decisions so a lot will most certainly change, but based on the spring and where things sit now here's a look at how it might all look come September.

Quarterback (3)

Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Bailey Zappe

Normally predicting the quarterback depth chart isn't all that difficult, but this year is a bit different. Brissett was brought in to help nurture the rookie Maye, but where does that leave Zappe? Assuming Mayo & Co. do not want to rush Maye into action, they may need Zappe to stick around as insurance in case Brissett goes down with an injury, particularly early in the season. If Maye shows enough development during the summer, then moving on from Zappe makes sense. Meanwhile, fellow rookie Joe Milton likely will hold down a spot on the practice squad … unless he lights it up during the summer and the brass doesn't feel confident that he'll make it through waivers and he earns a roster spot.

Running back (3)

Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris

There is very little depth here behind Stevenson and Gibson. JaMycal Hasty, who finished 2023 with the team, could stick around as an additional option out of the backfield in the passing game, but Gibson was brought in to handle that role. Harris has yet to establish himself as a consistent contributor and this will be his best shot to do so given the lack of depth. Deshaun Fenwick and fellow undrafted rookie Terrell Jennings could be fighting for a spot, especially if Wolf doesn't hit the market for a veteran (Latavius Murray?) as well.

Wide receiver (6)

DeMario Douglas, Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborn, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Reagor

PUP: Kendrick Bourne

Obviously, the status of Bourne factors strongly into this equation. If he's ready to go coming off his torn ACL he has a spot and Smith-Schuster, Reagor and Tyquan Thornton could be fighting for one job. If he's not, there's likely an opening for two – or even all three. The rookies and Douglas are locks with Osborn inching pretty close to that status. Reagor showed some explosiveness as a kick returner last season and that could earn him a role, but with Marcus Jones back healthy that may not be enough. Kayshon Boutte also could factor in now that his potential legal issues related to his college gambling have been resolved. Lots of bodies here but very few are reliable options.

Tight end (3)

Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell

The top two are set with ninth-year veterans Henry and Hooper but given Alex Van Pelt's desire to run the ball a physical blocking tight end would be valuable. The problem is no one on the current depth chart fits that description. Mitchell Wilcox has some experience but the rookie Bell's athleticism and potential versatility as a player who can operate at fullback as well as inline is more appealing. Having an option like Bell in the backfield could allow Mayo and Wolf to get away with going light at running back.

Offensive line (10)

Chuks Okorafor, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Caeden Wallace, Atonio Mafi, Nick Leverett, Layden Robinson, Tyrone Wheatley, Vederian Lowe

PUP: Cole Strange

So much uncertainty up front for the Patriots to start camp. Strange likely will open on PUP coming off knee surgery, opening the door for some interior depth among Leverett, Michael Jordan and Jake Andrews. The rookies Robinson and Wallace will likely have roles while free agent addition Okorafor spent much of the spring at left tackle, seemingly giving him a spot. Sow and Mafi saw much more action than Jake Andrews a year ago when all three were rookies, giving them the edge. If Wallace proves worthy of immediate playing time, it could make Wheatley, Lowe or Calvin Anderson expendable, but the uncertainty likely means at least two will stick around to provide insurance. Practice squad spots will most certainly be used on reserve offensive linemen as well.

Defensive line (6)

Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise, Armon Watts, Keion White, Daniel Ekuale

Some tough choices to be made here with Sam Roberts and Jeremiah Pharms being left off to start. One or both could stick around in some capacity to add depth. Godchaux expressed unhappiness with his contract and that bears watching as well. Assuming he's in the fold, he will be sandwiched by Barmore and Wise with Watts and White also in the mix. Ekuale has been a steady interior presence in passing situations and should return coming off an elbow injury that limited him to three games in 2023.

Linebacker (6)

Ja'Whaun Bentley, Matthew Judon, Jahlani Tavai, Joshua Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Sione Takitaki

Veterans Raekwon McMillan, Oshane Ximines and Christian Elliss all are in the mix as they figure to provide help on special teams. The six listed are all pretty close to locks so it's possible a seventh – or even eighth – could come from the aforementioned group. It will be interesting to see if the new kickoff rules change the makeup of rosters in terms of the type of players teams keep with coverage in mind. In the past those units have been filled with backup defensive backs but it's possible the tighter quarters will necessitate more bulk, opening the door for additional linebackers.

Cornerback (6)

Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Shaun Wade, Isaiah Bolden

This is another position with very little depth. Gonzalez and Marcus Jones are coming off significant injuries while Jonathan Jones will enter his ninth season at age 31. Austin showed some flashes late last season and was heavily involved throughout the spring. Wade could be expendable while Bolden's size and athleticism could make him a fit on special teams. Rookies Marcellas Dial and Kaleb Ford-Dement as well as free agent pickup Marco Wilson could play their way into reserve roles as well, especially if the team moves on from Wade.

Safety (4)

Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marte Mapu, Jaylinn Hawkins

Dugger and Peppers are a rock-solid tandem, and Hawkins looked to be comfortable in the traditional free safety role during the spring. Mapu's versatility is valuable both in the secondary and closer to the line of scrimmage. Joshuah Bledsoe has some experience in the program but has yet to crack the rotation. He could provide some value on special teams.

Specialists (6)

Kicker: Chad Ryland

Punter: Bryce Baringer

Long snapper: Joe Cardona

Special teams: Brenden Schooler, Christian Elliss, Raekwon McMillan

The intrigue here is in the kicking battle between Ryland and veteran Joey Slye. That one could go either way but for now we'll side with youth. The only other question will be: How many spots will be devoted to special teamers? Schooler is close to a lock in that regard with McMillan and Elliss strong possibilities.

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