PatsFans.com Menu
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans
New England Patriots > Patriots Blog

Patriots 53 Man Roster Projection 2.0

Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri on Twitter
Aug 22, 2012 at 1:38pm ET

With the New England Patriots having played in two preseason games against the Saints and Eagles, there is now plenty of film for the coaches to look at in determining who stays and who goes toward the final roster

Based on observations through the first two games, this how we see the 53 Man Roster panning out today:

QB (3) Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
No surprises here, Hoyer remains the #2 QB, OL play has made it difficult to get a true feel for the play of QBs as they have little time to look for the deep/intermediate routes.

RB (5) Stevan Ridley, Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen, Jeff Demps, Brandon Bolden
Top three remain entrenched here, Bolden makes the squad over FBs Larsen and Kettani. Larsen hasn’t been on the field and Kettani hasn’t done anything to generate much justification to stay. Demps makes the team before suiting up….

WR (6) Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney, Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater, Deion Branch
Branch is healthy and leap frogs Stallworth for the final WR slot. Still two games to go, some things may change again.

TE (3) Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Daniel Fells
Fells is finally back on the field and he gets the nod over Shiancoe who hasn’t been there since the first days of camp.

OL (9) Dan Connolly, Logan Mankins, Brian Waters, Donald Thomas, Nick McDonald, Ryan Wendell, Nate Solder, Marcus Cannon, Sebastian Vollmer
I still believe Brian Waters comes back and so he gets a slot. The team needs another tackle so this unit may very well change again. Koppen doesn’t justify a slot because he is no longer the best center on the team and has no versatility to play another position. Markus Zusecics is an intriguing prospect but will likely be placed on PUP.

DE (5) Rob Ninkovich, Chandler Jones, Trevor Scott, Jake Bequette, Jermaine Cunningham
No major surprises nor changes here. This group has been solid and presents a lot of bodies that can mix, match and provide fresh legs all game.

DT (4) Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, Brandon Deaderick, Ron Brace
With Fanene being cut, it opens the door for Brace who is finally starting to play up to his potential. Pryor opens the season on PUP and may well end up on IR or cut loose. Justin Francis is a great candidate for the practice squad, ditto for Forston.

ILB(3) Brandon Spikes, Niko Koutouvides, Jeff Tarpinian

Once Dane Fletcher went down with an ACL injury it opened the door for some competition. Rivera seems slow to react especially in the passing game so Koutouvides and Tarpinian get the nod because of ST skills. Tracy White is one of the better STs players but hasn’t seen the field in awhile

OLB(3) Jerod Mayo, Donta Hightower, Bobby Carpenter
No changes, solid group here. Carpenter gives the group a good subpackage cover linebacker who can move around and play where needed.

CB (4) Devin McCourty, Ras-I Dowling, Kyle Arrington, Sterling Moore
Moore is getting the nod here, but just barely over either Cole or Allen. Moore’s play hasn’t been stellar in the preseason games. The last two games will tell the tale here. Alfonzo Denard hasn’t been on the field since the second day of camp, goes to IR

SS (3) Patrick Chung, James Ihedigbo, Nate Ebner
Ebner makes a late charge and is developing a nose for the ball, something that is needed, Chung is hurt again (sigh), Barrett and Brown don’t make the cut.

FS (2) Steve Gregory, Tavon Wilson
So far so good, these two players have to be considered pleasant surprises in camp. Gregory wasn’t highly regarded coming from SD and Wilson was considered a reach for the 2nd round. But both have played very well. Considering where the position was last season, it is a night and day situation.

ST (3) Stephen Gostkowski, Zoltan Mesko, Danny Aiken
No changes here, by far the easiest positions to pick on the roster

Total players: 53

Created with Pats Picker: http://patspicker.patsfans.com Feel free to click on the link and create your own 53 Man Pats roster, courtesy of PatsFans.com

Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG


More News Headlines:

Patriots News 4-28, Draft Notes On Every Draft Pick

Patriots News 4-28, Draft Notes On Every Draft Pick

By: Steve Balestrieri
"You can see the passion come through when you watch them on film. Two guys that will help our team going forward. " Jerod Mayo
19 hours ago
MORSE: A Closer Look at the Patriots Undrafted Free Agents

MORSE: A Closer Look at the Patriots Undrafted Free Agents

By: Mark Morse
The following 10 players have been reported as signed by the Patriots to UDFA contracts.
19 hours ago
Five Thoughts on the Patriots Draft Picks: Overall, Wolf Played it Safe

Five Thoughts on the Patriots Draft Picks: Overall, Wolf Played it Safe

By: Ian Logue
Some thoughts coming off of an interesting 2024 New England Patriots draft.
20 hours ago
2024 Patriots Undrafted Free Agents – FULL LIST

2024 Patriots Undrafted Free Agents – FULL LIST

By: Ian Logue
With the 2024 Patriots Draft now in the rearview, it's time to keep an eye on undrafted free agents who will try and make an…
1 day ago
MORSE: Thoughts on Patriots Day 3 Draft Results

MORSE: Thoughts on Patriots Day 3 Draft Results

By: Mark Morse
I was watching the CLNS Media You Tube Live broadcast with Taylor Kyles and his guests Mike Kadlick and John Zannis on CLNS Draft Central…
1 day ago

Search For Links: - CLOSE
For searches with multiple players
add commas (Ex: "Bill Belichick, Devin McCourty")