The Patriots have rolled through more than a dozen training camp practices, including a joint session with Washington.
They’ve played their first preseason game - a 48-18 blowout of the Commanders - and will be headed to Minnesota Tuesday for joint practices ahead of Saturday’s game with the Vikings.
Thanks to injury and two players landing on injured reserve (CB Marcellus Dial Jr and DT Jaquelin Roy), there’s been some turnover with the roster.
Amid all of that, Mike Vrabel has been zeroing in on how the finished product is going to look.
It’s a little more than two weeks away from cut-down day (August 26).
So as we creep closer to the deadline, here’s how I think the roster is going to shake out:
Quarterback (2)
IN: Joshua Dobbs, Drake Maye
OUT: Ben Wooldridge
For the most part, Maye has looked comfortable and confident with the new offense. He’s made some mistakes - most notably a glaring sack and fumble against the Commanders, and knows he needs to eliminate those from his game.
He’s getting rid of the ball quickly, and save for the strip-sack, has been making smart decisions.
Backup Dobbs, meanwhile, was especially good during the joint practices.
Wooldridge is basically window dressing, likely headed for the practice squad.
Running back (3)
IN: Antonio Gibson, TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson
OUT: Ja’Mycal Hasty, Terrell Jennings, Lan Larison, Trayveon Williams
The top three guns are pretty much set in stone with Stevenson, Gibson and rookie Henderson, who looks like he’ll be a huge contributor in the passing game and all over the field for that matter.
His 100-yard return against the Commanders on the opening kickoff Friday night was electric.
The Patriots will probably want to carry a fourth back, but it’s really not necessary. Larison, who got banged up in the preseason opener, could land on the practice squad, and be elevated for games as needed. Ditto Jennings and Hasty, who was re-signed during the week and was with the Patriots the past two seasons.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: Javon Baker, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams
OUT: Kendrick Bourne, Demeer Blankumsee, Efton Chism III, John Jiles, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jeremiah Webb
This competition is the most compelling. There are five locks (Diggs, Douglas, Boutte, Hollins, Williams), and it’s just a matter of how many more - if any - receivers Vrabel & Co. want to carry.
Baker has ridiculous skills, but he can be great one minute, woeful the next. Of late, he’s kept the woeful to a minimum and has given himself a better chance to make the team with a role on special teams.
Undrafted rookie Chism has also upped his game. He was the top pass catcher against the Commanders Friday night. It’s just tough seeing them keep seven at this stage, but you never know.
Bourne (ankle) is hurt, and wasn’t doing much when he was healthy. Polk got dinged up against the Commanders, and injured or not, is being outclassed by both Baker and Chism.
Tight End (3)
IN: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Gus Scott Jr
OUT: Jaheim Bell, C.J. Dippre, Jack Westover
After Henry and Hooper, the No. 3 spot is up for grabs. The Patriots need a third tight end, given how much Josh McDaniels relies on the position in his offense.
At this stage, Ohio State product Gee has been the best of an uninspiring lot.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
IN: Garrett Bradbury (C), Ben Brown (C) Marcus Bryant (OT), Will Campbell (OT), Demontrey Jacobs (OT) Morgan Moses (OT), Mike Onwenu (G), Caedan Wallace (G/T), Jared Wilson (G/C)
OUT: Mekhi Butler (G), Jack Conley (G), Vederian Lowe (OT), Layden Robinson (G), Tyrese Robinson (T), Sidy Sow (G), Cole Strange (G/C)
They could go with less than nine, stashing a few bodies on the practice squad and elevate as needed on game days.
But given injuries and uncertainty, particularly when it comes to Morgan Moses, who has been a limited participant throughout, the Patriots might want a surplus of tackles on the active roster.
Assuming everyone’s healthy at the outset, Campbell, Wilson, Bradbury, Onwenu and Moses are the starters.
Rookie Marcus Bryant has gotten a lot of quality time at right tackle with the absence of Moses.
Defensive Tackles (5)
IN: Christian Barmore, Joshua Farmer, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Khyiris Tonga, Milton Williams
OUT: Isaiah Iton, Bryce Ganious, David Olajiga, Jahvaree Ritzie
With the scheme change, the tone will be set by the players up front.
Barmore, Williams, Tonga etc. have to get after it, collapse the pocket and get after the quarterback.
Rookie Farmer lands a spot, as does Pharms. Not much surprise who stays and who goes from this group.
Edge Defenders (7)
IN: K’Lavon Chaisson, Anfernee Jennings, Truman Jones, Harold Landry, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Keion White.
OUT: Anfernee Jennings
Why the surplus?
Ponder and Jones have gotten quality reps and also have a presence on special teams. That boosts their status.
Chaisson has been hurt, but has looked like a menace when healthy.
Landry and White are givens.
Rookie Swinson makes it for now, but has started slow.
As for Jennings, he’s a good player. He just doesn’t fit Vrabel’s scheme, and it’s obvious given his usage on the second and third unit. The writing, as they say, is on the wall.
Linebackers (4)
IN: Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Robert Spillane, Jahlani Tavai
OUT: Marte Mapu, R.J. Moten, Monty Rice, Cam Riley
Spillane has been the tone setter for the group. Elliss has seen the most time next to Spillane, followed by Gibbens.
Vrabel wants faster, lighter linebackers, and this trio fit the bill.
Tavai, who’s hurt, doesn’t exactly measure up, but still sticks for now. Mapu might ultimately make it over Tavai given he’s closer to the profile.
He just hasn’t done much to this point.
Cornerbacks (5)
IN: Alex Austin, Carlton Davis, Christian Gonzalez, D.J. James, Marcus Jones
OUT: Tre Avery, Miles Battle, Isaiah Bolden, Brandon Crossley, Kobee Minor, Jordan Polk
Given the injury status of Gonzalez and Davis, it’s possible the Patriots will keep more than five.
Based on the intel, however, their two lockdown stars should be ready to go for Week 1.
In their absence, both Austin and James have fared well which is a good sign.
Jones will handle the slot. The Patriots don’t have a lot of depth there. Marcellus Dial would have been the backup slot, but he’s now out for the season with a torn ACL.
Just waiting for someone to emerge to tack on a sixth for the group.
Safeties (6)
IN: Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins, Jabrill Peppers, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler, Craig Woodson
OUT: Marcus Epps, Josh Minkins
There’s been some noise around Dugger. Perhaps they’ll deal him, or release him, as speculation suggests. But given the guaranteed money he received ($32.5 million) with the extension he signed last year, it’s hard to imagine the Patriots letting him go.
Peppers and Hawkins are a given. Ditto rookie Woodson, who has gotten reps in a number of spots.
Schooler is a special teams lock. For now, Pettus is in. Epps is out.
Special Teams (3)
IN: Julian Ashby (LS), Bryce Baringer (P), Parker Romo (K)
OUT: Andres Borregalas
In practice, in scrimmages, in joint practices, in games, Romo has yet to miss a kick.
How does he not make the team with a perfect slate?
After a rough first day, Borregalas has also been perfect. And it’s a sure bet the Patriots didn’t draft him, to cut him.
But to this point, he’s losing a fierce competition.
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