The preseason is over, and the Patriots have just two days until they must trim their roster down to 53 players.
The Patriots already made 14 roster cuts on Friday after Thursday night’s preseason finale. Here’s our final attempt at a 53-man roster projection with two more practices to go until cuts.
Quarterback (2)
Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
The Patriots should look for a third quarterback on the waiver wire on Wednesday morning. Did the Patriots see enough from Giants QB Tommy “Cutlets” DeVito in Thursday’s preseason game to put in a claim if he gets released? DeVito could potentially keep some pressure on Dobbs to maintain his role as the backup.
Running back (3)
Antonio Gibson, TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson
JaMycal Hasty is a decent depth running back, but he seems like a more likely practice squad candidate, considering he was still available as a free agent in August.
Wide receiver (7)
Javon Baker, Kayshon Boutte, Efton Chism, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams
Injured reserve: Kendrick Bourne
New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III snares a pass during practice at the team's training camp, Thursday, July 24 in Foxboro. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III snares a pass during practice at the team's training camp, Thursday, July 24 in Foxboro. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Baker is one of the last players we’re keeping on the team, meaning he could make an initial 53-man roster but not last until Wednesday when more players are cut for waiver claims. Baker did very little this preseason as a wide receiver. But he was receiving top reps opposite Brenden Schooler as a gunner and looked like a natural in the role despite little special teams experience. Bourne has been injured since the second week of training camp. A placement on injured reserve gives him four more weeks to get healthy and adds some more wide receiver depth if needed. Jeremiah Webb had some nice moments in training camp and the preseason and really seemed to improve by Thursday’s preseason finale. He’s a much better practice squad candidate, however.
Tight end (3)
Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper
None of the young tight ends brought in as depth behind Henry and Hooper stood out this summer. Jack Westover has the best chance to make the roster since he has the versatility to play fullback. We think the Patriots can ultimately find a better tight end or fullback on the waiver wire after cuts.
Offensive line (9)
Garrett Bradbury, Ben Brown, Marcus Bryant, Will Campbell, Vederian Lowe, Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu, Caedan Wallace, Jared Wilson
Lowe and Wallace are two of the last additions to the 53-man roster and might not see Week 1 if the Patriots believe they can find better tackle and guard depth from roster cuts. Consider Bradbury, Brown, Bryant, Campbell, Moses, Onwenu and Wilson locked in, however.
Defensive line (5)
Christian Barmore, Joshua Farmer, Jeremiah Pharms, Khyiris Tonga, Milton Williams
Isaiah Iton looked primed for a roster spot before injuring his hip in the preseason. The Patriots brought in veteran Kyle Peko but released him on Friday. It would be surprising if the Patriots kept a sixth defensive tackle. Pharms isn’t necessarily guaranteed a roster spot if the Patriots believe they can get better depth off waivers.
Edge defenders (7)
Truman Jones, Keion White, K’Lavon Chaisson, Anfernee Jennings, Harold Landry, Bradyn Swinson, Elijah Ponder
This feels like too many players, especially since Williams can also line up on the edge. But Chaisson and Landry are starters, White, Swinson and Ponder would all be very surprising roster cuts, Jones is a coach’s favorite, and Jennings is still a useful NFL player. It’s possible that Jones lands on the practice squad and Jennings gets traded, but we’ll keep all seven for now.
Linebacker (4)
Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Robert Spillane, Jahlani Tavai
Tavai seems like he could be another injured reserve candidate, since he’s essentially been out all summer. If Tavai goes on IR, then Marte Mapu could still make the team. Mapu switched from safety to linebacker this summer and showed some flashes in the final preseason game.
Cornerback (5)
Alex Austin, Carlton Davis III, Christian Gonzalez, DJ James, Marcus Jones
Look for the Patriots to scour the waiver wire here. There were times during the summer when Kobee Minor, Miles Battle and Jordan Polk all looked like they might be able to sneak onto the roster. All three players really struggled in Thursday’s preseason game, creating a poor last impression.
Safety (6)
Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins, Jabrill Peppers, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler, Craig Woodson
This is the toughest position to trim, because the Patriots have seven roster-worthy players, including Marcus Epps. Peppers, Hawkins and Woodson will be the team’s top safeties, and Schooler isn’t going anywhere as a special-teams maven. The Patriots will either need to pay Dugger and keep him on the roster or pay him to play for someone else, assuming they can’t find anyone in a trade to take on his $10 million salary. It makes sense to keep him for depth, given the options. Pettus is just a solid player who provided special teams value last season.
Special teams (3)
K Parker Romo, P Bryce Baringer, LS Julian Ashby
We’re keeping Romo over sixth-round pick Andres Borregales. When it came down to it, Romo had a better summer.
Last four in: Baker, Lowe, Wallace, Truman Jones
Last four out: G/C Cole Strange, LB Marte Mapu, S Marcus Epps, K Andres Borregales