Not A Bad Roster

[mgteich]

Patriots 53-man roster projection after first preseason game

Projecting the New England Patriots' 53-man roster after their 48-18 win over the Washington Commanders in the preseason opener.

patriotswire.usatoday.com

ISSUE FOR ME
Wallace is the one and only backup OG. I would prefer an additional backup OG instead of the 7th WR.

 

[Family]

ISSUE FOR ME
Wallace is the one and only backup OG.

That's my issue too.

But we disagree on the solution.

 

[Huckleberry1]

MSN

ISSUE FOR ME
Wallace is the one and only backup OG. I would prefer an additional backup OG instead of the 7th WR.

I agree, good roster.

 

[n1997y]

I agree, good roster.

Generally not bad. Would be better with a few changes to bottom of depth charts.

Can Jacobs play IOL? Or add another player there by Hollins as TE3 instead of Westover to open another slot.

 

[p8ryts]

MSN

ISSUE FOR ME
Wallace is the one and only backup OG. I would prefer an additional backup OG instead of the 7th WR.

Looking for replacements for the following: Caedan Wallace, Jahlani Tavai, Ben Brown, Brady Swinson, Dell Pettus.

 

[mgteich]

That's my issue too.

But we disagree on the solution.

yes

 

[mgteich]

Generally not bad. Would be better with a few changes to bottom of depth charts.

Can Jacobs play IOL? Or add another player there by Hollins as TE3 instead of Westover to open another slot.

Why cut Westover, our FB and perhaps sometime 3rd TE?

 

[mgteich]

MSN

ISSUE FOR ME
Wallace is the one and only backup OG. I would prefer an additional backup OG instead of the 7th WR.

Upon further review, I like this roster a lot, perhaps convinced some from reading comments from posters in the last couple of days.

If I count right, I agree with 51 of the 53 choices, making two changes.

ONE
STRANGE as backup OL instead of 7th WR Chism.

TWO
BATTLE over PETTUS as 11th DB and DB/ST.

 

[Family]

STRANGE as backup OL instead of 7th WR Chism.

Why not Chism over another developmental player like Swinson, (who has shown really nothing so far)?

Both probably will have little effect this year. Chism actually has a chance to do more with his special teams play.

Is it offense/defense balance or do you think Swinson has more upside?

Unless Swinson does something soon, he will slip through waivers.

 

[BobDigital]

Not very in depth on why they keep some guys over others....

Here is what i currently have. And keep in mind this also goes with the philosophy of who fits, who doesn't, who can slide through waivers and who can't and is the person your carrying really better than the guy on your PS.

QB (2) Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
- nuff said, wish we had a better back up. I will be hopeful and assume we just happened to see Dobbs on a really bad night.

RB (4) TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Lan Larison
-To keep 3 or 4 is the question. Well decent depth RBs are arguably plentiful Larison is the kind of do it all depth RB you don't want to risk walking. And with RBs often getting banged up I really prefer 4 deep.

TE (3) Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover
- You don't need to carry 3.... not every team does. But Westover has shown a lot of flexibility and plays STs. I think that is enough to keep him here for a year. Plus he was here last year so that may give him an edge.

WR (7) Stefon Diggs, Demario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, Efton Chism III, Javon Baker
- 5 6 or 7? It has as much to do with the rest of the roster than the guys on the tail end. There weren't a lot of guys i was frankly sad to let walk to keep the back end here. Chism is just too damn tempting with his upside. Baker apparently has show some potential and is well regarded as a STer. Sometime you look at a guy and think he just has it. I honestly think Chism just has something o develop and will be around long term. Baker can be a back end WR for a while... but unless he can develop as a WR this may be here last year here. But he seems to have done enough on STs and shown enough promise to get that 1 more year.

C (2) Garrett Bradbury, Ben Brown
- Nothing to add.

G (3) Mike Onwenu, Jared Wilson, Cole Strange
- Strange i guess is in the lead for the back up spot and no one behind him will not make the PS. This could be a look for a Vet or guy in the WW situation.

T (4) Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Marcus Bryant, Demontrey Jacobs
- i think these 4 are mostly locked in. No one else seems roster worthy.

DT (5) Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
- With Roy going down no more competition here. Tonga and Farmer look like locks going by practice reports and Pharms seems to be solidly holding on to his spot... too good to just cut.


EDGE (5) Harold Landry, Keion White, K'Lavon Chaisson, Truman Jones, Bradyn Swinson
- This to me is a question of upside, who slips through waivers and who doesn't. Ponder here is the hard cut. While he has shown a little something.. he hasn't shown like Jones who is now officially a can't cut. Maybe next week he can make more of a case. Swinson has had up and down practice reports but his talent and potential are just too high. I know he is a 5th rounder and even i have wondered if he may make it through to the PS... he was a 5th rounder... but i just don't think he does. So i'd rather have him be one of those guys you hold on to for a year and hope. I think they can have their cake and eat it too this way with keeping both Swinson and Ponder.

LB (4) Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai - Tavai is a core STer. You can't make the club from the tub, it's true. And he doesn't exactly fit the D... But his STs keep him around and having a guy a bit different isn't a bad thing.

CB (5) Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, D.J. James, Alex Austin, Marcus Jones - Usually you'd like to see 6 here. But for now there isn't a guy worth carrying imo. Battle or Bolden are the closest perhaps and will get a chance to further make their case next game. For now I don't see the need to carry either. It should also be mentioned Hawkins is playing the 5/6th DB a lot, making the need for a 6th CB less.

S (5) Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus - Top 4 are set and solid. Pettus was a core STer last year and will be one this year i believe. So he makes it.

ST (4) Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby, Andres Borregales, Brenden Schooler - I give the edge to the rookie kicker. I hope they can trade Romo or Borregales and get some value back.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Why not Chism over another developmental player like Swinson, (who has shown really nothing so far)?

Both probably will have little effect this year. Chism actually has a chance to do more with his special teams play.

Is it offense/defense balance or do you think Swinson has more upside?

Unless Swinson does something soon, he will slip through waivers.

Larison went on IR today so there will be room for all of the binkies with 1 or 2 more injuries. Happens every year.

Vrabel rests veterans to help them last as long as possible, so we can not judge the final picture based on reps and playing time. Moses is hobbled by a long term knee issue for example. There is a strong similar argument that Vrabel is resting Strange because Pantella injuries can repeat so frequently (Strange insight provided by @signbabybrady). Having said that, Mapu and Jennings appear fighting for a spot.

 

[Clonamery]

Larison went on IR today so there will be room for all of the binkies with 1 or 2 more injuries. Happens every year.

Vrabel rests veterans to help them last as long as possible, so we can not judge the final picture based on reps and playing time. Moses is hobbled by a long term knee issue for example. There is a strong similar argument that Vrabel is resting Strange because Pantella injuries can repeat so frequently (Strange insight provided by @signbabybrady). Having said that, Mapu and Jennings appear fighting for a spot.

@signbabybrady does have strange insight.

 

[mosi's man]

I'm counting the potential of 13 rookies who might be contributors by year 2: Ashby, Borregales, Bryant, Campbell, Chism, Farmer, Ponder, Williams, Henderson, Jones, Larison, Wilson, and Jones. Not including Swinson, Wooldridge, Lampe, or Conley. It's a little crazy.

 

[JoeSixPat]

QB (2) Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
- nuff said, wish we had a better back up. I will be hopeful and assume we just happened to see Dobbs on a really bad night.

At least for this stage of his development, they clearly made the decision that they don't want him looking over his shoulders.

They didn't want Milton breathing down his neck let alone a veteran with a track record of success.

As such I think the team and probably fans are zen with the notion that if Maye goes down this season we'll be looking at a high draft pick - probably by design.

 

[Love The Drake]

At least for this stage of his development, they clearly made the decision that they don't want him looking over his shoulders.

They didn't want Milton breathing down his neck let alone a veteran with a track record of success.

As such I think the team and probably fans are zen with the notion that if Maye goes down this season we'll be looking at a high draft pick - probably by design.

I think we would still give teams hard time, with whoever is behind QB,
Teams will know they were in a dog fight anytime they play us.
That’s the culture Vrabs is building.

 

[n1997y]

I think we would still give teams hard time, with whoever is behind QB,
Teams will know they were in a dog fight anytime they play us.
That’s the culture Vrabs is building.

I agree. I think (definitely hope) that Vrabes would have a quick hook if Maye goes down and Dobbs struggles. I liked what I saw from Wooldridge Friday night. I think whoever is backup needs to be accurate most of all. Josh can compensate for a lot of other things but if the QB can’t put the ball on target none of the rest will matter.

 

[The Gr8est]

I'm counting the potential of 13 rookies who might be contributors by year 2: Ashby, Borregales, Bryant, Campbell, Chism, Farmer, Ponder, Williams, Henderson, Jones, Larison, Wilson, and Jones. Not including Swinson, Wooldridge, Lampe, or Conley. It's a little crazy.

And you left off Woodson.

 

[mgteich]

Why not Chism over another developmental player like Swinson, (who has shown really nothing so far)?

Both probably will have little effect this year. Chism actually has a chance to do more with his special teams play.

Is it offense/defense balance or do you think Swinson has more upside?

Unless Swinson does something soon, he will slip through waivers.

1) I think that Chism isn't worth a roster spot, considering that we have 6 WR's that can be here for a couple of years and perhaps beyond. We also have a couple of receiving RB's and a couple of receiving TE's.

2) I do like 5th rounder Swinson but will understand if he doesn't make the 53. His roster spot could go to another on the roster or to an acquisition. So, perhaps there are better prospects than Swinson. There are several DE's, OLB's and STers who might be better uses if a roster spot.

 

[mosi's man]

Sorry for the omission. Woodson looks solid, I think. I know it's early, but this draft looks like it could be foundational.. Several of the potential contributors will not make the roster but may help by year two. I had Larison in that category and wouldn't doubt that he's been "stored" for a year. He's never really had a strength program and Gibson is very serviceable. I'd hope several players made it through wavers to the Practice squad, like Woodridge. He looks like he could be a cheap serviceable backup, as might Conley. And I disagree mgteich. I think Chism will stick.

 

[signbabybrady]

Larison went on IR today so there will be room for all of the binkies with 1 or 2 more injuries. Happens every year.

Vrabel rests veterans to help them last as long as possible, so we can not judge the final picture based on reps and playing time. Moses is hobbled by a long term knee issue for example. There is a strong similar argument that Vrabel is resting Strange because Pantella injuries can repeat so frequently (Strange insight provided by @signbabybrady). Having said that, Mapu and Jennings appear fighting for a spot.

Not so much insight just was wondering out loud.

@signbabybrady does have strange insight.