Base Case - First 2026 53-Man Roster

[Ring 6]

Are you serious? Have you missed the many posts on here about expectations of a smashmouth running offense? Or are you just looking for a chance to argue?

We sign a top FB, a strong upgrade at G, and a solid blocking TE in FA, then draft another good blocking TE. Connect the dots.

Why would posters expectations be relevant. Are you implying the crowd mentality opinions on here are usually correct?

FB, LG and TE help the passing game as much as the running game.
Do you really think after our franchise Qb had an MVP caliber 2nd year and led the NFL in many areas, we are going to become 3 yards and a cloud of dust because we signed a FB?

 

[Ring 6]

- Jam is a better running back then Lan
- Swinson will take snaps at ILB in camp
- Douglas' future in the slot is not with the Patriots
- Nobody has ever seen Jack Gibbens and Chad Muma in the same room
- Crownover will be the primary backup at RT in 2026
- Williams will have less then 300 yards receiving in 2026 (if Boutte is on the team)

EDIT: these deep thoughts are what I believe will happen...not necessarily what I want to happen in all cases

You think crownover beats out Lomu?

 

[Zuma]

You think crownover beats out Lomu?

- Crownover was projected to go several rounds higher for months but dropped because he's older
- He has extensive RT experience starting 27 games in college. But he is a TE convert that still needs experience
- Lomu will need to learn the right side while Crownover "may" be more ready there in 2026

 

[Ring 6]

- Crownover was projected to go several rounds higher for months but dropped because he's older
- He has extensive RT experience starting 27 games in college. But he is a TE convert that still needs experience
- Lomu will need to learn the right side while Crownover "may" be more ready there in 2026

Lomu is a much better player. “Learning the right side” is not rocket science.
Lomu is going to be the RT this year if he bears out Moses or next year no matter what.
A 6th rounder isn’t getting in the way of that

 

[hornetfb85]

What if Lomu beats out Campb….

 

[Real fan 02]

What if Lomu beats out Campb….

Better chance of hitting a mass cash Ticket..

 

[borisman]

James Hudson will make this team over Marcus Bryant.
There, I said it.

 

[hornetfb85]

Better chance of hitting a mass cash Ticket..

So are those odds not good…I’m from Illinois

 

[BTTA]

Yes he’s a shoe in.

What then, is Hollins?

 

[Grogan14]

QB (2) Tommy DeVito, Drake Maye
RB (4) Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Reggie Gilliam, Lan Larison
TE (3) Hunter Henry, Julian Hill, Eli Raridon
WR (6) Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III, Demario Douglas
C (2) Jared Wilson, Ben Brown
G (3) Mike Onwenu, Jacob Rizy, Alijah Vera-Tucker
T (5) Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu, Dametrious Crownover, Caedan Wallace
DE (1) Dre’Mont Jones
DT (6) Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Leonard Taylor III, Cory Durden
ILB (4) Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, K.J. Britt, Chad Muma
OLB (3) Harold Landry, Gabe Jacas, Elijah Ponder
CB (6) Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Charles Woods, Marcus Jones, Karon Prunty, Kindle Vildor
SS (2) Dell Pettus, Mike Brown
FS (2) Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson
ST (4) Brenden Schooler, Bryce Baringer, Andy Borregales, Julian Ashby

Total Players: 53

Created with PatsPicker at PatsFans.com

6 defensive tackles? Holy jeez

 

[Wozzy]

James Hudson will make this team over Marcus Bryant.
There, I said it.

If James Hudson makes this 53 man roster something went terribly wrong.

 

[hornetfb85]

QB (2) Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito
RB (4) Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Reggie Gilliam, Lan Larison
TE (3) Hunter Henry, Julian Hill, Eli Raridon
WR (6) Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III, Demario Douglas
C (2) Jared Wilson, Ben Brown
G (2) Mike Onwenu, Alijah Vera-Tucker
T (5) Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu, Dametrious Crownover, Caedan Wallace
DE (1) Dre’Mont Jones
DT (6) Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Joshua Farmer, Cory Durden, Eric Gregory, Leonard Taylor III
ILB (5) Robert Spillane, K.J. Britt, Christian Elliss, Namdi Obiazor, Chad Muma
OLB (4) Harold Landry, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Gabe Jacas
CB (5) Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Charles Woods, Marcellas Dial Jr.
SS (2) Dell Pettus, Mike Brown
FS (2) Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson
ST (4) Brenden Schooler, Bryce Baringer, Andy Borregales, Julian Ashby

Total Players: 53

If Brown happens he’s in
Douglas is a training camp trade.
S depth is still a concern

 

[Real fan 02]

So are those odds not good…I’m from Illinois

Oh.. in that case.. the fireball...

 

[40yrpatsfan]

Looking at the net differences since our January run (just the significant ones):

Edge: Jones via FA, Jacas via draft, Landry from IR; no Chaisson = big upgrade
Safety: Byard via FA; no Hawkins = upgrade
Tackle: Lomu & Crownover via draft, healthier Campbell; no Lowe & Mumford = upgrade
Center: moved Wilson to C, no Bradbury = upgrade
Guard: Vera-Tucker via FA, instead of Wilson = big upgrade
TE: Hill via FA, Raridon via draft; no Hooper = big upgrade
RB: Jam Miller via draft, Gilliam via FA, Larison from IR = big upgrade
WR: Doubs via FA; no Diggs = upgrade (+ possible AJ Brown)
DT: lost Tonga = slight downgrade
ILB: slight downgrade
QB, CB, ST's = about the same

 

[Ring 6]

What then, is Hollins?

A 33 year old who has a hard time getting open who has played on 5 teams I the past 5 years.

 

[Ring 6]

Looking at the net differences since our January run (just the significant ones):

Edge: Jones via FA, Jacas via draft, Landry from IR; no Chaisson = big upgrade
Safety: Byard via FA; no Hawkins = upgrade
Tackle: Lomu & Crownover via draft, healthier Campbell; no Lowe & Mumford = upgrade
Center: moved Wilson to C, no Bradbury = upgrade
Guard: Vera-Tucker via FA, instead of Wilson = big upgrade
TE: Hill via FA, Raridon via draft; no Hooper = big upgrade
RB: Jam Miller via draft, Gilliam via FA, Larison from IR = big upgrade
WR: Doubs via FA; no Diggs = upgrade (+ possible AJ Brown)
DT: lost Tonga = slight downgrade
ILB: slight downgrade
QB, CB, ST's = about the same

We’ve improved the talent but how the pieces fit together and play as a unit is always more important.