Post-Draft 53-man projection

[rookBoston]

Although a lot will change between now and opening day, here's a starting point for the 53-man:

QB (2) - Brady, Cassell
RB (5) - Moroney, Faulk, Morris, Evans, Mills
WR (6) - Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Washington, Gaffney, Brown
TE (3) - Watson, Thomas, Brady
OT (4) - Light, Kaczur, O'Callaghan, Britt
OG (3) - Mankins, Neal, Yates
OC (2) - Koppen, Hochstein

NT (2) - Wilfork, Wright
DE (4) - Warren, Seymour, Green, Brown
LB(8) - Colvin, Thomas, Bruschi, Vrabel, Woods, Alexander, Izzo, UFA/Lua
CB (5) - Samuel, Hobbs, Gay, Scott, James
S (6) - Harrison, Wilson, Meriweather, Hawkins, Sanders, Mitchell

ST (3) - Gostkowski, Miller, Paxton

Competition - well, lets start at WR. I have Caldwell being released, and Washington and Gaffney riding the pine. I have never seen this kind of depth or athleticism at the WR position, ever. I am dumbstruck.

QB - I've only listed two players. BB had a roster with two guys for a portion of the season, last year, until some of the skill guys started going to IR and he could add a 3rd QB back in. With no rookie coming out of the draft, I'm ready to expect the same this year.

OT - the addition of a handful of rookies, plus the stable of young talent already on the roster has me thinking that players like Kaczur and O'Callaghan and Britt may be offered in trade to teams in need during TC for late round picks in 2008. That's what happened last year, when the Pats converted their extra OL talent, guys like Gorin, into trade bait. Belichick has a history of developing linemen, dating back to his Cleveland days. For this 53-man, I've listed the veterans. I'll be surprised if at least one of them doesn't start for another team in 2007. That should make space for one or two of the kids, like Oldenburg, if they're too good for the PS.

At DE, there's some legitimate competition for Marquise Hill in the form of Miami rookie Kareem Brown. Similar size, but you wonder which of the two had more upside in the eyes of the coaching staff.

The addition of Thomas at OLB does not solve any questions related to depth at the position. Adding Seau and using Vrabel in rotation at OLB makes a lot of sense to me. This roster still has space for one or even two veteran LBs. Alexander does not make me feel warm inside in the regular D. And the loss of Don Davis to retirement needs to be addressed on ST.

I've listed 11 DBs and only 8 LBs. This is entirely an expression of the current depth of talent. The assumption is that our ST unit would be staffed heavily with nominal safeties, like Mitchell, Sanders and Hawkins. ST will also be the entree for guys like Morris, Mills and Mays, if they're going to make the team.

We've been expecting competition for Miller at punter, but it will have to come from the street. Assuming Miller is healthy, this wont be much of a competition, really. Expect BB/SP to sign a veteran kicker to tool around camp with Gost, and then get cut.

This team looks explosive. On offense, there is very little to be wished for. I feel good saying that every single guy on the roster on O truly deserves to be there. LB is the only legitimate concern, and adding Seau would go a long way to making me feel better about the D.

5 day one picks next year...

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

Looks like a fantastic roster, however, some things to consider re: your 53 man roster projection:

Obviously depending on how the rooks, UDFA and any post June 1 cuts or vets brought in, I don't think Chad Scott, Hawkins or one of Woods/Mays sees the final roster.

 

[upstater1]

Chad Scott played fantastically for us last year. I'd be shocked if he's not on the team.

 

[patchick]

Obviously depending on how the rooks, UDFA and any post June 1 cuts or vets brought in, I don't think Chad Scott, Hawkins or one of Woods/Mays sees the final roster.

FWIW, I don't agree on Scott...that's not a deep position and he's a solid, versatile vet. As for the LBs I think Mays is already out of this projection...while Woods is currently your #5 or #6 LB! So not even on the bubble barring major moves.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

Really?? You really think that he brought something? I don't know, maybe I am just trying to be too hard on him and am hoping the best for the Notre Dame CB we drafted.

 

[g-fresh]

Who makes the practice squad?

 

[DarrylS]

When you look at this, it is apparent that their needs as was many of ours, was to seriously upgrade the receiving corps.. the days of picking up a player not on a roster seem to be over. But injuries are the equalizer, BB & crew seem to have made a subtle change in their philosophy, not everyone will fit this system.. develop depth at these positions.

 

[Clonamery]

FWIW, I don't agree on Scott...that's not a deep position and he's a solid, versatile vet. As for the LBs I think Mays is already out of this projection...while Woods is currently your #5 or #6 LB! So not even on the bubble barring major moves.

Scott was good, bye-bye to Hawkins please.....

 

[rookBoston]

Hawkins is our #5 S in this scheme... not bad depth, considering the guy has been a reliable starter for us.

For now, the 53-man really isn't very hard to put together. There is no real motivation to drop him or Scott, because there isn't much pressure among the guys getting cut. Caldwell is the best of them.

I expect that BB will sign a few more veteran FAs in the Mel Mitchell mold, somewhat unknown, versatile players who will factor in the kicking game, for camp. That's when we're going to have to make a call between depth and ST's play. And that's when the tradeoffs will have to be considered.

The other factor is, who among the rookies and UFAs, will be this year's Randall Gay or Mike Wright or Pierre Woods? Someone is going to impress beyond their draft status, and make the team. BB takes special pleasure in making role models out of those guys.

 

[Clonamery]

Hawkins is our #5 S in this scheme... not bad depth, considering the guy has been a reliable starter for us.

For now, the 53-man really isn't very hard to put together. There is no real motivation to drop him or Scott, because there isn't much pressure among the guys getting cut. Caldwell is the best of them.

I expect that BB will sign a few more veteran FAs in the Mel Mitchell mold, somewhat unknown, versatile players who will factor in the kicking game, for camp. That's when we're going to have to make a call between depth and ST's play. And that's when the tradeoffs will have to be considered.

The other factor is, who among the rookies and UFAs, will be this year's Randall Gay or Mike Wright or Pierre Woods? Someone is going to impress beyond their draft status, and make the team. BB takes special pleasure in making role models out of those guys.

Hawkins, fine as long as he's not covering Dallas Clark. Can't do it.

 

[mgteich]

I agree that your roster is the 53 man roster as of now. I would add Jackson and Jackson to the PUP. I would not be surprised if we were to sign an additional running back to take the position of Mills or of Brown. I don't think we will trade an OT. I'd settle with us having three healthy and add one of the rooks. If all four are healthy, then the rooks can fight it out for a Practice Squad spot. Finally, I expect two LB signings with the loss of one of the defensive backs. My guess that it is Gay to the IR.

Although a lot will change between now and opening day, here's a starting point for the 53-man:

QB (2) - Brady, Cassell
RB (5) - Moroney, Faulk, Morris, Evans, Mills
WR (6) - Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Washington, Gaffney, Brown
TE (3) - Watson, Thomas, Brady
OT (4) - Light, Kaczur, O'Callaghan, Britt
OG (3) - Mankins, Neal, Yates
OC (2) - Koppen, Hochstein

NT (2) - Wilfork, Wright
DE (4) - Warren, Seymour, Green, Brown
LB(8) - Colvin, Thomas, Bruschi, Vrabel, Woods, Alexander, Izzo, UFA/Lua
CB (5) - Samuel, Hobbs, Gay, Scott, James
S (6) - Harrison, Wilson, Meriweather, Hawkins, Sanders, Mitchell

ST (3) - Gostkowski, Miller, Paxton

Competition - well, lets start at WR. I have Caldwell being released, and Washington and Gaffney riding the pine. I have never seen this kind of depth or athleticism at the WR position, ever. I am dumbstruck.

QB - I've only listed two players. BB had a roster with two guys for a portion of the season, last year, until some of the skill guys started going to IR and he could add a 3rd QB back in. With no rookie coming out of the draft, I'm ready to expect the same this year.

OT - the addition of a handful of rookies, plus the stable of young talent already on the roster has me thinking that players like Kaczur and O'Callaghan and Britt may be offered in trade to teams in need during TC for late round picks in 2008. That's what happened last year, when the Pats converted their extra OL talent, guys like Gorin, into trade bait. Belichick has a history of developing linemen, dating back to his Cleveland days. For this 53-man, I've listed the veterans. I'll be surprised if at least one of them doesn't start for another team in 2007. That should make space for one or two of the kids, like Oldenburg, if they're too good for the PS.

At DE, there's some legitimate competition for Marquise Hill in the form of Miami rookie Kareem Brown. Similar size, but you wonder which of the two had more upside in the eyes of the coaching staff.

The addition of Thomas at OLB does not solve any questions related to depth at the position. Adding Seau and using Vrabel in rotation at OLB makes a lot of sense to me. This roster still has space for one or even two veteran LBs. Alexander does not make me feel warm inside in the regular D. And the loss of Don Davis to retirement needs to be addressed on ST.

I've listed 11 DBs and only 8 LBs. This is entirely an expression of the current depth of talent. The assumption is that our ST unit would be staffed heavily with nominal safeties, like Mitchell, Sanders and Hawkins. ST will also be the entree for guys like Morris, Mills and Mays, if they're going to make the team.

We've been expecting competition for Miller at punter, but it will have to come from the street. Assuming Miller is healthy, this wont be much of a competition, really. Expect BB/SP to sign a veteran kicker to tool around camp with Gost, and then get cut.

This team looks explosive. On offense, there is very little to be wished for. I feel good saying that every single guy on the roster on O truly deserves to be there. LB is the only legitimate concern, and adding Seau would go a long way to making me feel better about the D.

5 day one picks next year...

 

[Mainefan]

I think we still have some additions coming--LBs in particular, maybe an RB. I would not be surprised (but I would be highly gratified) to see us pick up Ed Hartwell. And I still have some thoughts about Lance Briggs. Maybe Randy's willingness to take a cut will have an effect on him.

 

[zippo59]

The most difficult positions to predict now are WR, LB, and OL.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Day 2 of this draft was to re-stock the PS with developmental players who have graduated to the 53.

Three guys to groom for Dante's O-line school; and Gutierez as PS QB. Add a LB for the PS too: Lua, Mays, Rogers, Warren etc. Add a DB Rchardson, Andrews, Rashad. Add a P to back up octogenearian Josh Miller, and the better P probably Malone and the PS is about refilled. And a WR Kight, Bam.

Two FA signings for expereinced vet LBs. Sign an old pro QB and we are ready for kickoff...