Retaining 2024 second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk will be one of the most interesting roster decisions facing the Patriots this month.
Retaining 2024 second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk will be one of the most interesting roster decisions facing the Patriots this month.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
FOXBOROUGH — Ahead of the preseason opener, let’s project the Patriots’ 53-man roster.
Cutdown day is Aug. 26, so the organization has about three weeks to finalize some important personnel decisions.
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
Cut: Ben Wooldridge
The only question here is whether the Patriots want to dedicate a roster spot for a third-string quarterback. The club has tougher decisions elsewhere, so it’s worth saving the spot for another position. Wooldridge will probably clear waivers, making him available for the practice squad.
Running back (4): Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson, Lan Larison
Injured reserve: Brock Lampe
Cut: Terrell Jennings, JaMycal Hasty
The Patriots are deep at this position, with Stevenson, Gibson, and Henderson all able to function as three-down backs if needed. It appears Stevenson, despite his fumbling issues, will remain a top contributor. Henderson has started to break out as an explosive playmaker, recently showing his prowess as a downfield option. Gibson will likely stay involved, too, as offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels typically opts for a collective effort out of the backfield. Larison, an undrafted rookie, rounds out the group and could have a role as a kickoff returner.
Wide receiver (7): Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Javon Baker, Ja’Lynn Polk
Cut: Kendrick Bourne, Efton Chism, John Jiles, Jeremiah Webb
If the Patriots only want to keep five receivers, the group will be Diggs, Douglas, Boutte, Hollins, and Williams. If the team wants to keep six, Baker right now could have the edge over Polk because of his upward trajectory during practice. The Patriots could elect to keep seven, though, making room for both 2024 draft picks and giving them one last opportunity to bounce back under a new coaching staff. The preseason games could strongly influence this decision.
It appears Kendrick Bourne is headed toward being a preseason cut.
It appears Kendrick Bourne is headed toward being a preseason cut.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Tight end (3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Gee Scott
Cut: Jaheim Bell, Jack Westover, C.J. Dippre, Cole Fotheringham
Scott, an undrafted rookie out of Ohio State, earns the edge over Bell and Westover for his ability to operate as a fullback. Henry and Hooper, both of whom proved to be reliable contributors last season, will get the vast majority of the playing time and targets.
Offensive line (9): Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu, Garrett Bradbury, Jared Wilson, Will Campbell, Demontrey Jacobs, Ben Brown, Caedan Wallace, Marcus Bryant
Cut: Layden Robinson, Sidy Sow, Alec Lindstrom, Tyrese Robinson, Mekhi Butler, Jack Conley, Vederian Lowe, Cole Strange
The Patriots are still tinkering with their starting offensive line, but the leading combination appears to be Moses at right tackle, Onwenu at right guard, Bradbury at center, Wilson at left guard, and Campbell at left tackle. Jacobs and Bryant have repped as the top swing tackles, while Brown and Wallace have repped as the top interior backups. Of the starters, Bradbury’s job seems the most uncertain. Of the backups, Brown needs to continue to outperform Strange.
This unit also has already dealt with a few injuries that could still end up being a factor.
Milton Williams was one of the Patriots big offseason splashes.
Milton Williams was one of the Patriots big offseason splashes.Charles Krupa/Associated Press
Defensive line (10): Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Harold Landry, K’Lavon Chaisson, Bradyn Swinson, Truman Jones, Anfernee Jennings
Injured reserve: Jaquelin Roy
Cut: Elijah Ponder, Jahvaree Ritzie, David Olajiga, Isaiah Iton
After getting repeatedly gashed by the run and finishing last in the league in sacks in 2024, New England’s defensive line features a number of new faces. Ponder, an undrafted rookie, could still make his way onto this roster, as he has fared well in one-on-one drills and generated pressure while working with the second team. Ponder would also be able to contribute on special teams. He could end up beating out Jones for a spot.
Linebacker (4): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai
Cut: Marte Mapu, Monty Rice, Cam Riley, R.J. Moten
Spillane and Elliss are on track to start as off-ball linebackers. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Patriots move on from Tavai, but then they would be thin at the position. Perhaps Mapu impresses down the stretch to earn a spot instead.
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, D.J. James
Injured reserve: Marcellas Dial Jr.
Cut: Tre Avery, Isaiah Bolden, Kobee Minor, Miles Battle, Jordan Polk, Brandon Crossley
James and Austin have held their ground well as their snaps increased with Gonzalez and Davis sidelined. The team just claimed Avery off waivers, so maybe he also earns a role because of his special teams play.
Safety (6): Jabrill Peppers, Kyle Dugger, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler
Cut: Marcus Epps, Josh Minkins
This position group is also deep for the Patriots, with Epps the current casualty and Pettus the one who could still end up on the outs. Even though the 29-year-old Dugger is coming off a disappointing season, his contract would make him an extremely expensive cut. Dugger has the second-highest salary cap number on the team at $14.25 million. That number rises to $17 million in 2025, so Dugger will need a bounceback season to justify his high price tag.
Special teams (3): Andres Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby
Cut: Parker Romo
Borregales and Romo have been neck and neck in the kicking competition this summer. Romo had his first miss of camp on Tuesday, sending a 39-yard attempt wide left, so the current edge goes to Borregales. Their kickoffs and field goal attempts in the preseason games loom large.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.