With the uncertainty surrounding the impact of Covid 19 on the business of pro football and subsequently on the salary cap, I don’t expect cut down to be kind to higher salaried fringe veterans. Younger and cheaper players will be the benefactors of this. So, if you have young players who you want to develop, you will need to keep those players rather than risk them to waivers. My 53 projection reflects this along with my belief that the Patriots want to get younger overall anyway.
QB (2)- Stidham, Hoyer- I like Brian Lewerke to make the PS
RB (6)- White, Michel, Burkhead, Vitale, Harris, Taylor- Taylor is a good 3rd down back prospect who the Pats will want to keep with both White and Burkhead in the final year of their contracts. Brandon Bolden is a tough cut who ends up in Tampa getting 3rd down snaps with his good friend, Mr. Split-Britches.
TE (2) - Asiasi, Keene - Vitale adds some depth here with Burt, Berry and Izzo PS possibilities. If this was a normal offseason, I’d have no problem leaving Lacosse off, but it’s hard to go with just 2 rookies. This is one position where I’d have a veteran sitting on the PS ready to go.....maybe, Lacosse?
OL (8)- Wynn, Thuney, Andrews, Mason, Eluemunor, Cajuste, Froholdt, Ocwenu- Cannon is my pick for the annual veteran OLineman who retires before camp. Or, he takes the year off being a cancer survivor in a Covid virus world. I think this possibility is the reason Jermaine Eluemunor and his $2.1 million salary are still around. Kory Cunningham was on the 53 man roster all last season but was only active when Marshall Newhouse was starting in place of Wynn. Cunningham is eligible for the PS now that you can have up to 4 players on it with two fully accrued seasons. But, why bother? They thought Newhouse was better last year so just sign Newhouse to the PS, and activate him if needed. That ought to be enough to give some of you nightmares.
WR (5) - Edelman, Harry, Meyers, Lee, Zuber- If Sanu doesn’t beat out Harry, Lee or Meyers to be one of the 3 starters, do you keep him at $6.5 million? Sanu was a panic buy last fall. He was not worth a 4th much less a 2nd, but they could fit his salary under their tight cap unlike Emmanuel Sanders. Lee’s every bit as good if healthy and much cheaper. I think Isaiah Zuber will prove to be a steal as an UDFA and could be a future quality #2 or 3 receiver, but it’s going to be real hard for any rookie receiver to contribute early this season. I’m not impressed with Jeff Thomas. He’s not fast or quick enough considering his lack of size. Sean Riley, though even smaller than Thomas, is a more explosive player. I’ve found very little in the way of video for Will Hastings so far to have an opinion.
STs (6) - Slater, Bethel, Cardona, Bailey, Rohrwasser, Davis
DT (5)- Guy, Allen, Butler, Cowart, Murray - Bill Murray is athletic for a man his size. The easy comparison is Mike Wright who was a darn good player. Guy and Butler are UFAs after this season, so the need is there to restock.
DE/OLB ( 5) - Simon, Winovich, Jennings, Calhoun, Coe - Dietrich Wise is a perfect example of the fringe veteran player I mentioned earlier.. He’s not bad, but do you keep him on his last year before free agency at $2.1 million when you can keep Coe who’s potentially a better player for $610,000 and have him around for another 3 seasons?
ILB (4) - Hightower, Uche, Bentley, Maluia - Cassh Maluia keeps impressing me more and more as I watch video of him. He always seems to be around the ball and is athletic and instinctive enough to be a good coverage backer. Frankly, I don’t see it in De’Jon Harris. I even like Kyahva Tezino more as a run defender than Harris.
CB (6) Gilmore, Jones, Jackson, McCourty, Williams, Ross - You can never have enough corners. Even last year. Injuries to Jones and McCourty at the end of the season might have cost them the Dolphins game. Ross was having a good TC and preseason when he was hurt last year. I think he makes the team as a backup slot corner.
S (4) - McCourty, Chung, Phillip, Dugger - Terrance Brooks was used and abused in coverage against the Titans. Joe Juan Williams will eventually end up at S if they want him to be more than just another disappointing 2nd round DB selection.
