Minimum/Maximum Players By Position - Final Roster Composition

QB: min 2; max 4
OL: min 7; max 10
RB: min 4; max 6
TE: min 2; max 4
WR: min 5; max 7
DL: min 7; max 10
LB; min 5; max 8
S; min 3; max 5
CB; min 4; max 7
Specialists; exactly 3

Total Minimum: 42 (base from which to add 11 more)
Total Maximum: 64 (base from which to cut 11 more)

When I see projected 53-man rosters or last 5 to make roster or last 5 cut from roster, I don't know enough yet to participate, but it does get me thinking about roster composition and scheme.

If we play more 3-4 this year, we'll need extra LBs. If we stick with 4-3 or even 4-2-5 we'll need more DL and CB.

Offensive scheme looks like throws to RB will be way up this year assuming Vereen remains healthy and given the addition of James White and working out Develin lined up as a TE.

3 draft picks on the O-line could mean we carry extra players there for developmental reasons.

If I had to guess at roster composition this year, it would be something like this:
QB=3;OL=9;RB=5,TE=2;WR=6;DL=9;LB=6;S=4;CB=6;Spec=3

Though I could be convinced to go with 3 safeties and 7 corners and 5 linebackes and 10 defensive lineman and 2 QBs and 10 offensive linemen. And so on.

Interesting way to look at roster composition.

Some of the numbers may apply to NFL teams in general, but not necessarily to the patriots in 2014. For example, while some NFL teams might consider keeping four quarterbacks on their roster, for this year's Pats team the question is either two or three.

If we're talking about NFL teams in general, one number I would increase is offensive linemen. Unless there is a player or two that is listed at another position that can also play on the OL, seven seems to me to be too few; I would think that the minimum would be eight. Also, keep in mind that occasionally there is a team that has two kickers: one for kickoffs and long field goals, and another that is more accurate but does not have the leg, for shorter field goals and PATs. In that case, specialists could be three or four.

I believe that teams, including the patriots, have started with 4 WR's on the 53. The "minimum" is still 42 for me, since I agree with Jim that no team should start with only 7 offensive linemen.

In some sense, 42 is the "core" team, with the last 11 positions being variable. However, I would note that almost all teams keep an additional special teams specialist. So, my "core" roster would have 43 players, including the additional special teamer.

I think in my head I was projecting onto the Patriots and not NFL teams in general. I also admit that I counted Matthew Slater as a WR in my head as opposed to just calling him our 4th specialist, but he is more accurately deemed a 4th specialist.

I haven't started filling in names against the targeted number of player per position. I feel most of the annual surprises come in areas where our team is weak. Belichick will keep closer to the minimum and cut that position to the bone and then down the road pick up different players that are released from other teams. So, for example, let's say we we don't have a lot of talent at TE. He might go with just Gronk and Hooman and cut everybody else. Then pickup a few TE's either for the practice squad or claim one from another team like Mulligan last year.

I really can't wait for this season as I think enough pieces are in place for a really special year.