The Patriots are just over a week away from roster cuts with one more preseason game to go.
Before the Patriots take on the Giants in their preseason finale, let’s take another crack at a 53-man roster projection.
QUARTERBACK (2)
Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
Ben Wooldridge has shown promise throughout the summer, but it seems unlikely that another team would claim him if the Patriots elect to waive him at roster cuts. Maye is the unquestioned starter. It would still be worth checking the waiver wire to see if another quarterback shakes free who could compete with Dobbs for the backup role.
RUNNING BACK (3)
Antonio Gibson, TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson
JaMycal Hasty is a fine reserve running back, but he’s unneeded, barring injury, behind Stevenson, Henderson and Gibson.
WIDE RECEIVER (7)
Javon Baker, Kayshon Boutte, Efton Chism, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams
Consider Boutte, Chism, Diggs, Douglas, Hollins and Williams as locks. That leaves Baker, Kendrick Bourne and Ja’Lynn Polk to compete for a potential seventh spot. Bourne and Polk are both currently injured, so it’s possible that they could even begin the season on injured reserve, under new rules instituted by the NFL last season. Baker has been better in practice than in preseason games. He’s also contributing more on special teams.
TIGHT END (3)
Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover
The Patriots have two intriguing rookie tight ends in Gee Scott and CJ Dippre, but it appears Westover is competing with Cole Fotheringham for the third tight end/fullback role. Westover is currently above Fotheringham on the depth chart and offers more athleticism.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Garrett Bradbury, Ben Brown, Marcus Bryant, Will Campbell, Vederian Lowe, Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu, Cole Strange, Jared Wilson
Since our last 53-man roster projection, we’ve replaced Demontrey Jacobs with Lowe and Caedan Wallace with Strange based on Saturday’s lineup substitutions. Sidy Sow is still in the mix with Wallace and Strange as a backup guard.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5)
Christian Barmore, Joshua Farmer, Jeremiah Pharms, Khyiris Tonga, Milton Williams
Iton suffered an injury in Saturday’s preseason game, leaving open the possibility that he could begin the season on injured reserve. He was a surprise riser in training camp. It’s possible that he could replace Pharms on the 53-man roster, if healthy. We just don’t know enough yet about his injury, so he’ll be left off for now.
EDGE DEFENDERS (6)
Truman Jones, Keion White, K’Lavon Chaisson, Anfernee Jennings, Harold Landry, Bradyn Swinson
We’re keeping Jennings despite him being low on the depth chart. He’s continued to show optimal effort in practice and the preseason despite seeing scout-team and third-team reps. That should impress the Patriots new coaching staff.
LINEBACKER (4)
Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Robert Spillane, Jahlani Tavai
We still haven’t seen enough from Marte Mapu, Monty Rice, Cam Riley or R.J. Moten to put them on the roster. Tavai has barely practiced this summer despite passing a physical ahead of training camp.
CORNERBACK (6)
Alex Austin, Carlton Davis III, Christian Gonzalez, DJ James, Marcus Jones, Kobee Minor
Minor sneaks onto the roster. He’s improved as the summer has worn on. He’s shown an edge at times in practice, which is something that could be valued by head coach Mike Vrabel.
SAFETY (5)
Marcus Epps, Jaylinn Hawkins, Jabrill Peppers, Brenden Schooler, Craig Woodson
Kyle Dugger is noticeably absent from here. It feels hard to put him on the 53-man roster when he’s obviously below Peppers, Hawkins, Woodson, Epps and Schooler on the depth chart. The Patriots could keep Dugger as a sixth safety; his salary is guaranteed anyway. But there’s clearly a reason why he’s playing so deep into preseason games. Perhaps the Patriots could still trade him if they’re willing to eat salary.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
K Parker Romo, P Bryce Baringer, LS Julian Ashby
The kicker competition is still too close to call. We’re basing this off the fact that Romo hit a 57-yard field goal outdoors in Week 1 of the preseason and Borregales shanked one indoors on Saturday. But things can still change.
Last in: Baker, Strange, Jennings, Minor
Last out: Dugger, Wallace, Elijah Ponder