Way-Too-Early Roster Projections

[Hugepatsfan]

The bulk of free agency and the draft are done. Time to come up with INITIAL projections on the roster. Below is what I'd forecast as the top 53 heading into training camp, though obviously subject to change. To give a story of where I see us, I did all the math and accidently only had 52 players. I didn't exactly find it to be a super tough exercise to get down to 53, which isn't a great endorsement. But maybe I missed somone obvious that you guys will catch.

QB (3): Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye (R), Joe Milton (R)

Brissett begins the year as the starter while Maye is developed behind the scenes. Milton sticks as the developmental 3rd QB over a guy like Zappe who feels maxed out on his skills and is better served as a backup somewhere that doesn't have an established starter.

RB (3): Stevenson, Gibson, Harris
This feels like a spot that could really use another player, whether it's a FA signing or a camp breakout UDFA. Unless Harris really breaks out, there's not much behind Stevenson. Gibson is more of a receiving back specialist than backup every down guy, a role WAS tried to put him in but it never worked. As a former college WR though, he should add a new dimension to the offense we haven't had in a while.

WR (7): Kendrick Bourne, KJ Osborn, Ja'Lynn Polk (R), Demario Douglas, Jevon Baker (R) Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton
Deep group of players here. Pretty solid depth chart from #3-7, which is hidden by how light it is at #1 and #2. Bourne and Osborn. It's a lot of guys to keep, but I just didn't have enough tough cuts at other positions to justify letting either a great kick returner in Reagor or a recent high pick in Thornton go. Osborn is on a 1 year deal and Bourne's contract is structured in a way that makes him a cut candidate too. That made me prefer to keep Thornton just as a camp body for next year too. Keep giving all the young guys shots to break out. I'm assuming they'll bite the bullet and move on from Juju. Boutte was the toughest cut here, but between the gambling issue and him just not being good it is what it is.

TE (4): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Mitchell Wilcox, Jeheim Bell (R)
I was able to fit the rookie in here because we went with only 3 RBs and no FB. Not a spectacular group, but some solid players with NFL pedigree and a developmental YAC specialist.

OL (9): Chukwuma Okorafor, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Mike Onwenu, Caedan Wallace (R), Jake Andrews, Layden Robinson (R), Calvin Anderson
I have a LOT of questions about this group. Not in terms of roster spots... the top 8 feel pretty locked in when you factor in draft status. but what scheme will we use? How do players fit in that scheme? Antonio Mafi was a 4th rounder last year that I have cut because seems like a bad scheme fit (and he played pretty poorly). Many will want Wallace at LT since they tried to sell him as one, but that feels an aggressive rookie year projection. There are overall enough question marks with the group that I felt I needed to keep a 9th guy, so I went with Anderson as a guy who play LT the best of any of the rest.

DL (6): Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Keion White, Deatrich Wise, Armon Watts, Daniel Ekuale
Overall a good group, but feels a bit light on run stuffers. Barmore is better vs. the pass though becoming all around dominant. Godchaux is a run stuffer, but then White/Wise are more edge/inside sub rusher types and Watts/Ekuale seem to fare better as rushers vs. space eaters. Feels like the 6th guy here might be 1 too many with potential to be swapped out for some STs value, or maybe just more of a NT type if we do keep 6. Sam Roberts would be the last guy off the roster at this spot in my mock here.

LB (6): Matthew Judon, Ja/Whaun Bentley, Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche, Jahlani Tavai, Sione Takitaki
A good group with what feels like 6 real NFL players. All are guys you can see starting games. I don't have any designated STers in this group, so some of these guys will have to embrace playing there.

CB (6): Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Shaun Wade, Isaiah Bolden
If Alex Austin can build off of last year, this isn't a bad group. Shaun Wade will be the new Bryant as someone we all hate, but he's probably decent enough to stick on a roster. I kept Isaiah Bolden as I'm hoping he can emerge as a player. Guys like Shaun Wade (on roster here) and Marco Wilson (off roster) are probably good enough for the backend of a roster, but not anything more. Bolden at least has the unknown on his side, so hoping he can beat them out in camp.

S (5): Kyle Dugger, Jabril Peppers, Marte Mapu, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marcellas Dial
Mayo seemed really excited about Dial. I think he might project to a FS in their scheme, but could list him with the CBs too. Hawkins makes the team as a STer. Hopefully Mapu eventually becomes a coverage LB, as that seems to be his best bet to really break out, but Mayo said he's a safety for now so I left him here.

STs (4): Bryce Baringer, Chad Ryland, Joe Cardona, Brenden Schooler
Not projecting any changes. Hopefully Ryland figures it out. He missed a lot of kicks last year, but did feel his attempts were slanted more towards deep attempts to be fair. Schooler needs to cool out with the penalties or he might not be worth keeping anymore, tbh. But I went light on STers above so need to keep him and he has an overall good track record obviously.
​

 

[Pape]

We gonna get an UDFA making the final 53 this year?

 

[Hugepatsfan]

We gonna get an UDFA making the final 53 this year?

I didn't include any in my projections. None really jumped off the page at me to call that upfront, but you never know.

There's definitely room for another RB if the one we signed (DeShaun Fenwick, Oregon State) is good. That's a spot ripe for someone to push someone else off the roster.

The blocking TE we signed (Jacob Warren, Tennessee) could push Wilcox off my roster and/or Bell if he just clearly outplays him.

The defensive backs we signed could knock off some of the backend guys I have here (Shaun Wade, Isaiah Bolden, Jaylin Hawkins, Marcellas Dial). Probably depends a lot on STs value for them.

The LBs we signed could vie for a spot but probably based on STs. We have a good group of contributors on defense that will be tough to crack, especially considering that we have 3 Safeties who could be dime LBs In Dugger/Peppers/Mapu). I noted that I felt I might have kept an extra DT though, so could reallocate that spot to a LB.

The OTs seems to have a tough battle because we have so much competition there (though unfortunately we also have a lack of clear cut options too). The interior OL UDFA from LSU might have a good practice squad case.

 

[Username]

If we can get a couple of late round picks in 2025 for TT and Zappe, I'd be all over that

 

[Scotty]

Don't think so this year.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

If we can get a couple of late round picks in 2025 for TT and Zappe, I'd be all over that

Every team in the NFL could have claimed Zappe for free last year. They didn't. I don't think he did anything to really elevate himself last year when he got to play. Feels unlikely anyone is jumping to trade picks for him.

Maybe on TT someone takes a flier. But IDK, at that cost I'd rather just keep clinging to hope lol. I kept 7 WRs in this, which seems like a lot, but I didn't feel like I was really squeezed out of anyone I wanted to keep so I just didn't see the point in moving on.

 

[Scotty]

The bulk of free agency and the draft are done. Time to come up with INITIAL projections on the roster. Below is what I'd forecast as the top 53 heading into training camp, though obviously subject to change. To give a story of where I see us, I did all the math and accidently only had 52 players. I didn't exactly find it to be a super tough exercise to get down to 53, which isn't a great endorsement. But maybe I missed somone obvious that you guys will catch.

QB (3): Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye (R), Joe Milton (R)

Brissett begins the year as the starter while Maye is developed behind the scenes. Milton sticks as the developmental 3rd QB over a guy like Zappe who feels maxed out on his skills and is better served as a backup somewhere that doesn't have an established starter.

RB (3): Stevenson, Gibson, Harris
This feels like a spot that could really use another player, whether it's a FA signing or a camp breakout UDFA. Unless Harris really breaks out, there's not much behind Stevenson. Gibson is more of a receiving back specialist than backup every down guy, a role WAS tried to put him in but it never worked. As a former college WR though, he should add a new dimension to the offense we haven't had in a while.

WR (7): Kendrick Bourne, KJ Osborn, Ja'Lynn Polk (R), Demario Douglas, Jevon Baker (R) Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton
Deep group of players here. Pretty solid depth chart from #3-7, which is hidden by how light it is at #1 and #2. Bourne and Osborn. It's a lot of guys to keep, but I just didn't have enough tough cuts at other positions to justify letting either a great kick returner in Reagor or a recent high pick in Thornton go. Osborn is on a 1 year deal and Bourne's contract is structured in a way that makes him a cut candidate too. That made me prefer to keep Thornton just as a camp body for next year too. Keep giving all the young guys shots to break out. I'm assuming they'll bite the bullet and move on from Juju. Boutte was the toughest cut here, but between the gambling issue and him just not being good it is what it is.

TE (4): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Mitchell Wilcox, Jeheim Bell (R)
I was able to fit the rookie in here because we went with only 3 RBs and no FB. Not a spectacular group, but some solid players with NFL pedigree and a developmental YAC specialist.

OL (9): Chukwuma Okorafor, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Mike Onwenu, Caedan Wallace (R), Jake Andrews, Layden Robinson (R), Calvin Anderson
I have a LOT of questions about this group. Not in terms of roster spots... the top 8 feel pretty locked in when you factor in draft status. but what scheme will we use? How do players fit in that scheme? Antonio Mafi was a 4th rounder last year that I have cut because seems like a bad scheme fit (and he played pretty poorly). Many will want Wallace at LT since they tried to sell him as one, but that feels an aggressive rookie year projection. There are overall enough question marks with the group that I felt I needed to keep a 9th guy, so I went with Anderson as a guy who play LT the best of any of the rest.

DL (6): Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Keion White, Deatrich Wise, Armon Watts, Daniel Ekuale
Overall a good group, but feels a bit light on run stuffers. Barmore is better vs. the pass though becoming all around dominant. Godchaux is a run stuffer, but then White/Wise are more edge/inside sub rusher types and Watts/Ekuale seem to fare better as rushers vs. space eaters. Feels like the 6th guy here might be 1 too many with potential to be swapped out for some STs value, or maybe just more of a NT type if we do keep 6. Sam Roberts would be the last guy off the roster at this spot in my mock here.

LB (6): Matthew Judon, Ja/Whaun Bentley, Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche, Jahlani Tavai, Sione Takitaki
A good group with what feels like 6 real NFL players. All are guys you can see starting games. I don't have any designated STers in this group, so some of these guys will have to embrace playing there.

CB (6): Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Shaun Wade, Isaiah Bolden
If Alex Austin can build off of last year, this isn't a bad group. Shaun Wade will be the new Bryant as someone we all hate, but he's probably decent enough to stick on a roster. I kept Isaiah Bolden as I'm hoping he can emerge as a player. Guys like Shaun Wade (on roster here) and Marco Wilson (off roster) are probably good enough for the backend of a roster, but not anything more. Bolden at least has the unknown on his side, so hoping he can beat them out in camp.

S (5): Kyle Dugger, Jabril Peppers, Marte Mapu, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marcellas Dial
Mayo seemed really excited about Dial. I think he might project to a FS in their scheme, but could list him with the CBs too. Hawkins makes the team as a STer. Hopefully Mapu eventually becomes a coverage LB, as that seems to be his best bet to really break out, but Mayo said he's a safety for now so I left him here.

STs (4): Bryce Baringer, Chad Ryland, Joe Cardona, Brenden Schooler
Not projecting any changes. Hopefully Ryland figures it out. He missed a lot of kicks last year, but did feel his attempts were slanted more towards deep attempts to be fair. Schooler needs to cool out with the penalties or he might not be worth keeping anymore, tbh. But I went light on STers above so need to keep him and he has an overall good track record obviously.
​

Never too early , its always good to check back and see how players have progressed or regressed over the year from this perspective.

 

[NashuaPats]

We need another running back.

 

[jboston19]

If we can get a couple of late round picks in 2025 for TT and Zappe, I'd be all over that

I’d guess TT may bring back another bust, kind of the like bethel Johnson for Johnathan Sullivan all of those years ago.

I don’t see any team giving up much of anything for either Zappe or TT.

 

[mgteich]

The bulk of free agency and the draft are done. Time to come up with INITIAL projections on the roster. Below is what I'd forecast as the top 53 heading into training camp, though obviously subject to change. To give a story of where I see us, I did all the math and accidently only had 52 players. I didn't exactly find it to be a super tough exercise to get down to 53, which isn't a great endorsement. But maybe I missed somone obvious that you guys will catch.

QB (3): Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye (R), Joe Milton (R)

Brissett begins the year as the starter while Maye is developed behind the scenes. Milton sticks as the developmental 3rd QB over a guy like Zappe who feels maxed out on his skills and is better served as a backup somewhere that doesn't have an established starter.

RB (3): Stevenson, Gibson, Harris
This feels like a spot that could really use another player, whether it's a FA signing or a camp breakout UDFA. Unless Harris really breaks out, there's not much behind Stevenson. Gibson is more of a receiving back specialist than backup every down guy, a role WAS tried to put him in but it never worked. As a former college WR though, he should add a new dimension to the offense we haven't had in a while.

WR (7): Kendrick Bourne, KJ Osborn, Ja'Lynn Polk (R), Demario Douglas, Jevon Baker (R) Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton
Deep group of players here. Pretty solid depth chart from #3-7, which is hidden by how light it is at #1 and #2. Bourne and Osborn. It's a lot of guys to keep, but I just didn't have enough tough cuts at other positions to justify letting either a great kick returner in Reagor or a recent high pick in Thornton go. Osborn is on a 1 year deal and Bourne's contract is structured in a way that makes him a cut candidate too. That made me prefer to keep Thornton just as a camp body for next year too. Keep giving all the young guys shots to break out. I'm assuming they'll bite the bullet and move on from Juju. Boutte was the toughest cut here, but between the gambling issue and him just not being good it is what it is.

TE (4): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Mitchell Wilcox, Jeheim Bell (R)
I was able to fit the rookie in here because we went with only 3 RBs and no FB. Not a spectacular group, but some solid players with NFL pedigree and a developmental YAC specialist.

OL (9): Chukwuma Okorafor, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Mike Onwenu, Caedan Wallace (R), Jake Andrews, Layden Robinson (R), Calvin Anderson
I have a LOT of questions about this group. Not in terms of roster spots... the top 8 feel pretty locked in when you factor in draft status. but what scheme will we use? How do players fit in that scheme? Antonio Mafi was a 4th rounder last year that I have cut because seems like a bad scheme fit (and he played pretty poorly). Many will want Wallace at LT since they tried to sell him as one, but that feels an aggressive rookie year projection. There are overall enough question marks with the group that I felt I needed to keep a 9th guy, so I went with Anderson as a guy who play LT the best of any of the rest.

DL (6): Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Keion White, Deatrich Wise, Armon Watts, Daniel Ekuale
Overall a good group, but feels a bit light on run stuffers. Barmore is better vs. the pass though becoming all around dominant. Godchaux is a run stuffer, but then White/Wise are more edge/inside sub rusher types and Watts/Ekuale seem to fare better as rushers vs. space eaters. Feels like the 6th guy here might be 1 too many with potential to be swapped out for some STs value, or maybe just more of a NT type if we do keep 6. Sam Roberts would be the last guy off the roster at this spot in my mock here.

LB (6): Matthew Judon, Ja/Whaun Bentley, Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche, Jahlani Tavai, Sione Takitaki
A good group with what feels like 6 real NFL players. All are guys you can see starting games. I don't have any designated STers in this group, so some of these guys will have to embrace playing there.

CB (6): Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Shaun Wade, Isaiah Bolden
If Alex Austin can build off of last year, this isn't a bad group. Shaun Wade will be the new Bryant as someone we all hate, but he's probably decent enough to stick on a roster. I kept Isaiah Bolden as I'm hoping he can emerge as a player. Guys like Shaun Wade (on roster here) and Marco Wilson (off roster) are probably good enough for the backend of a roster, but not anything more. Bolden at least has the unknown on his side, so hoping he can beat them out in camp.

S (5): Kyle Dugger, Jabril Peppers, Marte Mapu, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marcellas Dial
Mayo seemed really excited about Dial. I think he might project to a FS in their scheme, but could list him with the CBs too. Hawkins makes the team as a STer. Hopefully Mapu eventually becomes a coverage LB, as that seems to be his best bet to really break out, but Mayo said he's a safety for now so I left him here.

STs (4): Bryce Baringer, Chad Ryland, Joe Cardona, Brenden Schooler
Not projecting any changes. Hopefully Ryland figures it out. He missed a lot of kicks last year, but did feel his attempts were slanted more towards deep attempts to be fair. Schooler needs to cool out with the penalties or he might not be worth keeping anymore, tbh. But I went light on STers above so need to keep him and he has an overall good track record obviously.
​

BOTTOM LINE
It is way too early to agree on 48 players.
I would add QB Rourke (over Milton), a free agent RB, DL Roberts and ST/LB Ellis.
Basically, I wouldn't keep the last 3 draftees and would cut WR6 and WR7.
===========================
OFFENSE (24)
1) Rourke will quite likely beat out Milton.
2) We need another RB or two.
3) I would carry 5 WR's
4) 4 TE is one too many.
5) So, I would rather have two more player on Defense (so one fewer TE, two fewer WR's and one more RB).

DEFENSE (24)
6) 12 defensive front players is not enough
7) I'd add Roberts (DL).
8) I expect that one of the corners will be replaced on the roster by Gilmore or Jackson.
9) Bledsoe or free agent instead of Dial

SPECIAL TEAMS (5)
10) I'd add Ellis

 

[Real fan 02]

The bulk of free agency and the draft are done. Time to come up with INITIAL projections on the roster. Below is what I'd forecast as the top 53 heading into training camp, though obviously subject to change. To give a story of where I see us, I did all the math and accidently only had 52 players. I didn't exactly find it to be a super tough exercise to get down to 53, which isn't a great endorsement. But maybe I missed somone obvious that you guys will catch.

QB (3): Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye (R), Joe Milton (R)

Brissett begins the year as the starter while Maye is developed behind the scenes. Milton sticks as the developmental 3rd QB over a guy like Zappe who feels maxed out on his skills and is better served as a backup somewhere that doesn't have an established starter.

RB (3): Stevenson, Gibson, Harris
This feels like a spot that could really use another player, whether it's a FA signing or a camp breakout UDFA. Unless Harris really breaks out, there's not much behind Stevenson. Gibson is more of a receiving back specialist than backup every down guy, a role WAS tried to put him in but it never worked. As a former college WR though, he should add a new dimension to the offense we haven't had in a while.

WR (7): Kendrick Bourne, KJ Osborn, Ja'Lynn Polk (R), Demario Douglas, Jevon Baker (R) Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton
Deep group of players here. Pretty solid depth chart from #3-7, which is hidden by how light it is at #1 and #2. Bourne and Osborn. It's a lot of guys to keep, but I just didn't have enough tough cuts at other positions to justify letting either a great kick returner in Reagor or a recent high pick in Thornton go. Osborn is on a 1 year deal and Bourne's contract is structured in a way that makes him a cut candidate too. That made me prefer to keep Thornton just as a camp body for next year too. Keep giving all the young guys shots to break out. I'm assuming they'll bite the bullet and move on from Juju. Boutte was the toughest cut here, but between the gambling issue and him just not being good it is what it is.

TE (4): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Mitchell Wilcox, Jeheim Bell (R)
I was able to fit the rookie in here because we went with only 3 RBs and no FB. Not a spectacular group, but some solid players with NFL pedigree and a developmental YAC specialist.

OL (9): Chukwuma Okorafor, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Mike Onwenu, Caedan Wallace (R), Jake Andrews, Layden Robinson (R), Calvin Anderson
I have a LOT of questions about this group. Not in terms of roster spots... the top 8 feel pretty locked in when you factor in draft status. but what scheme will we use? How do players fit in that scheme? Antonio Mafi was a 4th rounder last year that I have cut because seems like a bad scheme fit (and he played pretty poorly). Many will want Wallace at LT since they tried to sell him as one, but that feels an aggressive rookie year projection. There are overall enough question marks with the group that I felt I needed to keep a 9th guy, so I went with Anderson as a guy who play LT the best of any of the rest.

DL (6): Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Keion White, Deatrich Wise, Armon Watts, Daniel Ekuale
Overall a good group, but feels a bit light on run stuffers. Barmore is better vs. the pass though becoming all around dominant. Godchaux is a run stuffer, but then White/Wise are more edge/inside sub rusher types and Watts/Ekuale seem to fare better as rushers vs. space eaters. Feels like the 6th guy here might be 1 too many with potential to be swapped out for some STs value, or maybe just more of a NT type if we do keep 6. Sam Roberts would be the last guy off the roster at this spot in my mock here.

LB (6): Matthew Judon, Ja/Whaun Bentley, Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche, Jahlani Tavai, Sione Takitaki
A good group with what feels like 6 real NFL players. All are guys you can see starting games. I don't have any designated STers in this group, so some of these guys will have to embrace playing there.

CB (6): Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Shaun Wade, Isaiah Bolden
If Alex Austin can build off of last year, this isn't a bad group. Shaun Wade will be the new Bryant as someone we all hate, but he's probably decent enough to stick on a roster. I kept Isaiah Bolden as I'm hoping he can emerge as a player. Guys like Shaun Wade (on roster here) and Marco Wilson (off roster) are probably good enough for the backend of a roster, but not anything more. Bolden at least has the unknown on his side, so hoping he can beat them out in camp.

S (5): Kyle Dugger, Jabril Peppers, Marte Mapu, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marcellas Dial
Mayo seemed really excited about Dial. I think he might project to a FS in their scheme, but could list him with the CBs too. Hawkins makes the team as a STer. Hopefully Mapu eventually becomes a coverage LB, as that seems to be his best bet to really break out, but Mayo said he's a safety for now so I left him here.

STs (4): Bryce Baringer, Chad Ryland, Joe Cardona, Brenden Schooler
Not projecting any changes. Hopefully Ryland figures it out. He missed a lot of kicks last year, but did feel his attempts were slanted more towards deep attempts to be fair. Schooler needs to cool out with the penalties or he might not be worth keeping anymore, tbh. But I went light on STers above so need to keep him and he has an overall good track record obviously.
​

Great stuff, thanks for putting this together. Great roster projection. I believe your pretty spot on.. I'm sure there will be tweaks here and there.. but that to me looks like the possible roster projection heading into week 1...

 

[Family]

The thing about roster projections is that with all the new rules the last few spots are murky.

As an example, I am not saying Jalen Reagor won't play a role this year, but he's more likely to be the player on the original practice squad who is elevated because he's not a player another team will likely pickup when they have their own young players to protect.

In other words he will be around the team and perhaps by the end of the year a solid contributor, but early I expect him up and down.

 

[mgteich]

There are teams waiting until after the comp deadline later this week to make their best offers to free agents.

So, I think that it is likely that we will sign a player or two in the next couple of weeks. I look for a CB, S, STer and/or a RB.

 

[TheRainMaker]

QB: I hope Maye plays at some point which I think he will because Brissett will be too conservatives and lose games within reach.
RB: I could see Gibson being cut. He has James Robison vibes. Need another RB.
WR: Bourne could be cut if any of the two rookie WR's show something in camp. Douglas playing the slot is already a reason to cut him. Pats are stuck with Schuster.
CB: Need a veteran outside CB to compliment Gonzalez. Jon Jones needs to return to the slot exclusively.
S: I think Mapu gets switched to back to his natural MLB position for several reasons: it's crowded at SS and he's not quick enough in changing direction or diagnosing plays. He was very Chris Carter esque at S last season.

 

[Bill Lee]

QB (3): Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye (R), Joe Milton (R)

Brissett begins the year as the starter while Maye is developed behind the scenes. Milton sticks as the developmental 3rd QB over a guy like Zappe who feels maxed out on his skills and is better served as a backup somewhere that doesn't have an established starter.​

I think Milton's a goner, or a PS guy.

I think you need Zappe (or some other NFL vet) around as injury protection till you are confident Maye can start.

I think Maye will get a lot of the coaching staff's attention, so not much will be left for Milton.

 

[ralmat55]

As always, injuries will have a significant impact on the composition of the initial 53. Beginning this year, 2 players can be placed on the IR as part of getting down to 53 and still be eligible to be activated during the season which gives you 55 players who won’t have to be released or face waivers in getting down to the in-season roster.

Whether you can go with just Brissett, Maye and Milton on the 53 before you would want to throw Maye into a game, they would likely have a 4th QB on the practice squad be it Zappe, Roark, or some other veteran who could be elevated from the PS to start if Brissett was injured and couldn’t play. If Brissett couldn’t finish a game, both Maye and Milton are athletic enough to compete with a stripped-down, limited game plan to finish the game without compromising their development. Think Brisset’s first start in 2016 against the Texans.

I know we needlessly wring our hands about TC standouts making it through waivers to go to the PC because they usually do. But, Milton might be the exception because of his enormous athleticism and throwing skills. I want to see if the Patriots can develop some value there, plus I think it will very helpful to Maye’s development to be the 3rd overall pick in the draft but not be the most athletic or have the strongest arm in his QB room. Competition is a beautiful thing.

 

[Bruins_Fanatic]

BOTTOM LINE
It is way too early to agree on 48 players.
I would add QB Rourke (over Milton), a free agent RB, DL Roberts and ST/LB Ellis.
Basically, I wouldn't keep the last 3 draftees and would cut WR6 and WR7.
===========================
OFFENSE (24)
1) Rourke will quite likely beat out Milton.
2) We need another RB or two.
3) I would carry 5 WR's
4) 4 TE is one too many.
5) So, I would rather have two more player on Defense (so one fewer TE, two fewer WR's and one more RB).

Have a look at Rourke's pre-season footage with the Jaguars last year, plus his time in the CFL. Rourke may surprise a few people. No one has seen him play in a Patriots uniform yet. He had a lot of Jags fans wondering why he wasn't named the backup to Trevor Lawrence after his pre-season.

 

[hornetfb85]

Remove Thornton add a RB

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

Is Bourne fully healed? He could start on IR designated to return.

With the number of WRs there is no sense se to rush him unless he is 100%.

 

[JohnJH]

We need another running back.

Yes. And a high quality one. I'm disappointed that they didn't draft Braelon Allen or Issac Guerendo. I suspect we'll regret that.