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

Base Case - First 2026 53-Man Roster

I said as much in my depth chart post, they likely won’t carry 7 WR’s. Even with a Boutte trade we might see another WR get traded or cut outright if one of the undrafted guys looks great.

Some of these WR’s are two way players and can contribute on special teams, we’ll see how it plays out. But they will probably roster 6 WR’s and carry another DB or ILB who can tackle and play special teams.

I don’t recall any team in history rostering two FB’s, they can easily slide a Westover or someone else to the PS.
pretty safe to assume that the ST players w/b Marcus returning punts and the 3rd RB returning kick off's? (Larison, Miller, Montgomery or Jennings)
I don't see a WR at gunner over Schooler, Pettus or some of the other DB's
Do you?
 
pretty safe to assume that the ST players w/b Marcus returning punts and the 3rd RB returning kick off's? (Larison, Miller, Montgomery or Jennings)
I don't see a WR at gunner over Schooler, Pettus or some of the other DB's
Do you?
There’s 11 guys on the field at all times. There’s no rule saying you need to be a defensive player to play special teams, block or tackle.

I was also very clear in my summation below my depth chart I thought it unlikely they carry that many WR’s and believed any number of guys listed as practice squad players could make the 53 instead.
 
I'm interested in seeing what our depth is (even beyond the 53 man roster) for RB

The Globe takes a look at this today, questioning who the best running back is after Stevenson (who is getting close to the Patriots' all time RB record if he plays out his contract) and Henderson

I'd say the answer is clear as Drake Maye averages nearly as many yards as our RBs! With Gilliam on the team though and other needs I would think we'd be looking at one additional RB who will be a ST player - after that, stash who we can on the PS and call them up if we hit an injury bump

I'd think they also may pull someone from the other team cuts, though again, limited room on the roster

 
I'm interested in seeing what our depth is (even beyond the 53 man roster) for RB

The Globe takes a look at this today, questioning who the best running back is after Stevenson (who is getting close to the Patriots' all time RB record if he plays out his contract) and Henderson

I'd say the answer is clear as Drake Maye averages nearly as many yards as our RBs! With Gilliam on the team though and other needs I would think we'd be looking at one additional RB who will be a ST player - after that, stash who we can on the PS and call them up if we hit an injury bump

I'd think they also may pull someone from the other team cuts, though again, limited room on the roster

I don't think the issue in improving our running stats is about our #3 RB. More important are
1) 2nd year in the system behind an improving QB in his 2nd year in the system.
2) an upgrade at FB
3) a great improvement at LG, and
4) The improved OL in their 2nd year in the system, especially Campbell
 
I don't think the issue in improving our running stats is about our #3 RB. More important are
1) 2nd year in the system behind an improving QB in his 2nd year in the system.
2) an upgrade at FB
3) a great improvement at LG, and
4) The improved OL in their 2nd year in the system, especially Campbell
yeah I am thinking the question maybe should not be who is the teams 3rd best running back.
Perhaps the question should be who will be the teams 3rd best RB come November? For next year?
It may also be who is the RB that is best at returning KO's?
Or who is the RB that catches the ball out of the backfield the best? Or blocks the best?

I still lean Larison as the best option for all these questions, other than KO return where I lean Miller

Will be an interesting competition, I hope, over the summer
 
yeah I am thinking the question maybe should not be who is the teams 3rd best running back.
Perhaps the question should be who will be the teams 3rd best RB come November? For next year?
It may also be who is the RB that is best at returning KO's?
Or who is the RB that catches the ball out of the backfield the best? Or blocks the best?

I still lean Larison as the best option for all these questions, other than KO return where I lean Miller

Will be an interesting competition, I hope, over the summer
I don't think that Larison would even be active. He would be on the roster for the future. Personally, I'm always fine with one or two players being on the roster and expected to be inactive all year. Developmental players are sometimes worth more than a 3rd or 4th stringer.

On the other hand, as you say, Miller would be returning kicks.
 
I don't think that Larison would even be active. He would be on the roster for the future. Personally, I'm always fine with one or two players being on the roster and expected to be inactive all year. Developmental players are sometimes worth more than a 3rd or 4th stringer.

On the other hand, as you say, Miller would be returning kicks.
I agree a 3rd back need not be on the game day active, unless they were a ST staple
I would have Larison returning KO's (I prefer a RB in that spot), so I would have him active
safe to assume the best 3rd RB today is Jennings? but the others most likely surpass him pretty quick?
 
I don't think the issue in improving our running stats is about our #3 RB. More important are
1) 2nd year in the system behind an improving QB in his 2nd year in the system.
2) an upgrade at FB
3) a great improvement at LG, and
4) The improved OL in their 2nd year in the system, especially Campbell
Completely agree - although we needed the RB depth last year after Gibson went down and Henderson hit a rookie wall.

He'll be better prepared for a long season this year.

Stevenson, despite his drops, was a great receiving release valve last year and I'd expect the same.

FB can't be underemphasized as we know Josh will demand they establish the run throughout the game and is prone to call a run over and over and over at the goal line whether its working or not - I'm confident that with Gilliam (and an improved OL) in front of them they'll be able to punch those through on the 2nd try rather than not at all
 
They'll be given their opportunities, don't worry about that: Gonzo, Marcus J & Carlton Davis are going to kept under bubble-wrap for the entire preseason... As for Britt, he kinda sucks, so I hope he's not a lock by any means... Obiazor, on the other hand, is a Near-Lock as the only drafted LB in the building.
Agreed there... well Obiazor is intriguing he could end up being the version of Marty marpu that can actually stay on the feild.
 
Agreed there... well Obiazor is intriguing he could end up being the version of Marty marpu that can actually stay on the feild.
Unless they are ST specialists, 6th round draft picks are never locks or even better than 50-50 going into training camp.

Of course, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be intrigued with our 5th, 6th and 7th round choices, as well as our UDFA;s.
 
Last edited:

I didn't think he was going to make the roster anyways - they did right by him by waiving him and giving him a chance in another camp. If he doesn't make it there who knows, maybe back on PS - the guy is big, but that's about all you can say about him

I know no one likes to get cut but they did him a favor doing it now - that doesn't just apply to undrafted rookies but even veterans. Players in the NFL realize this and appreciate a coach and GM who doesn't string them along and lets them have a chance elsewhere
 
Agreed there... well Obiazor is intriguing he could end up being the version of Marty marpu that can actually stay on the feild.

Different style of player than McPoo... I'm hoping he becomes a stouter, more nimble & more consistent version of Elandon Roberts.
 
And once again we're left with Eric Gregory as the only 0/1-Tech in the building... Sign somebody like Foley Fatukasi, Daquan Jones or Greg Gaines already.
I'm not saying we need a high - draft pick Vince Wilfork type....but I do think having 1 350 LB MF'er is better then having none with the 4-5 redundant backup DL's we have.
 
Unless they are ST specialists, 6th round draft picks are never locks or even better than 50-50 going into training camp.

Of course, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be intrigued with our 5th, 6th and 7th round choices, as well as our UDFA;s.
Are you sure....

 

PatsFans.com LinkHub

📰
📰 Article
Steam Community :: PapaPupp
Gaming
steamcommunity.com · by 1960Pats
2d
𝕏 / Tweet
X.com
twitter.com · by ctpatsfan77
6d
📰 Article
Forged in Foxboro Season 2 Episode 1: Building on the Identity
Patriots Videos
youtube.com · by mayoclinic
9d
📰
📰 Article
Enhancing Fan Engagement: A Guide for Football App and Website Owners
Uncategorized
sportmonks.com · by Ian
11d
𝕏 / Tweet
X.com
twitter.com · by mayoclinic
12d
Sean Payton's second chance: Inside the Denver Broncos' Super Bowl quest
Interesting Article (Sports)
espn.com · by Ian
13d
𝕏 / Tweet
twitter.com: Wilfork Highlight Reel
Patriots Videos
twitter.com · by ctpatsfan77
14d
Patriots News 07-19, A Big Summer For Williams, Boutte
MORSE: Patriots Position Analysis – 2026 Coaching Staff
MORSE: Patriots Positional Analysis – Secondary
Patriots News 07-12, Pre-Training Camp 53-Man Roster Projection
MORSE: Patriots Position Analysis – Linebackers and Special Teams
MORSE: Patriots Position Analysis: Defensive Line
Patriots News 07-05, Positions That Still Need More Depth
MORSE: Patriots Position Breakdown, QBs and Tight Ends
Patriots News 06-28: Romeo Doubs The Patriots X Factor?
MORSE: Patriots Position Breakdown – RB
Back
Top