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Well I've seen a couple of sites have started posting their early predictions for the 53 man roster. Now I know it is early, but I thought it might be fun to post our thoughts on the 53 and see how close we come. Having said that here is mine. I don't think it is too crazy, but who knows.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has both the blessing of a deep roster and the curse of whittling down a very competitive team to 53 players by the August 31 deadline.
Although there’s a long way to go until the full roster cutdown, New England’s three-day minicamp gave us a snapshot of where the team is headed in certain areas on their roster.
There’s a distinct group of young players that are pro talents but could find themselves either cut or traded if things don’t go their way this summer after a busy offseason.
After taking in three minicamp practices, the following cluster of recent high draft picks need to stand out this summer to solidify their spot on the team: Sony Michel, N’Keal Harry, Joejuan Williams, Chase Winovich, Jarrett Stidham, Anfernee Jennings, and Dalton Keene.
Stidham, Michel, Winovich, and Harry qualify as trade candidates rather than outright cuts. Still, it’s hard to envision a scenario where all eight of those players make the initial roster.
Here’s our second stab at an initial 53-man roster for New England following June’s minicamp:
Quarterbacks (3): Cam Newton, Mac Jones, Jarrett Stidham
Belicheck isn’t afraid to go with just 2 QBs, but I think he might opt for the extra cushion this year.
Running Backs (6): Damien Harris, Sony Michel, James White, Rhamondre Stevenson, Brandon Bolden, J.J. Taylor
The Patriots may try to slip Bolden by while placing another player on IR, but this comes with the risk he may be picked up by another team.
Tight Ends/Fullbacks (4): Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene
I don’t think they are ready to cut Keene and Asiasi has looked good so far. I see Keene’s role as being a hybrid TE/FB.
Wide Receivers (5): Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Isaiah Zuber/Tre Nixon, Gunner Olszewski
I can see the Patriots showcasing Harry with some plays specifically for him in the hopes of getting a decent trade. My problem now comes down to Isaiah Zuber or Tre Nixon, they have both shown plenty of straight line speed. Zuber has the advantage of a year
Offensive Line (8): Isaiah Wynn (OT), Trent Brown (OT), David Andrews (C), Shaq Mason (OG), Michael Onwenu (G/T), Ted Karras (IOL), Justin Herron (OT), William Sherman (G/T)
Not much to say here this looks like a solid OL.
Defensive Line (5): Lawrence Guy, Deatrich Wise, Davon Godchaux, Henry Anderson, Christian Barmore
The Defensive Line looks much improved over last year, but we will see.
EDGE Defender (3): Matt Judon, Anfernee Jennings, Ronnie Perkins
Going light here as I see the Patriots trying to trade Chase Winovich, and using some of the Hybrid players such as Dugger and others to fill this hole. This was by far my toughest position to fill.
Off-Ball/Hybrid Linebacker: (4): Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Josh Uche, Ja’Whaun Bentley
Nothing to see here, this looks as good as it will get.
Cornerback (5): Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Jalen Mills, Joejuan Williams
I think Gilmore returns, after this year we will see.
Safety (4): Devin McCourty, Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Myles Bryant
I see the Patriots possibly trying to slip Bledsoe onto the IR, who really knows what we have there.
Coverage specialists (3): Matthew Slater, Justin Bethel, Cody Davis
Maybe they can resign King after players have been IRed, who knows.
Specialists: Nick Folk, Jake Bailey, Joe Cardona
I think they can slip rookie kicker Quinn Nordin onto the practice squad, unless he has an unbelievable training camp, in that case they might keep him rather than Folk.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has both the blessing of a deep roster and the curse of whittling down a very competitive team to 53 players by the August 31 deadline.
Although there’s a long way to go until the full roster cutdown, New England’s three-day minicamp gave us a snapshot of where the team is headed in certain areas on their roster.
There’s a distinct group of young players that are pro talents but could find themselves either cut or traded if things don’t go their way this summer after a busy offseason.
After taking in three minicamp practices, the following cluster of recent high draft picks need to stand out this summer to solidify their spot on the team: Sony Michel, N’Keal Harry, Joejuan Williams, Chase Winovich, Jarrett Stidham, Anfernee Jennings, and Dalton Keene.
Stidham, Michel, Winovich, and Harry qualify as trade candidates rather than outright cuts. Still, it’s hard to envision a scenario where all eight of those players make the initial roster.
Here’s our second stab at an initial 53-man roster for New England following June’s minicamp:
Quarterbacks (3): Cam Newton, Mac Jones, Jarrett Stidham
Belicheck isn’t afraid to go with just 2 QBs, but I think he might opt for the extra cushion this year.
Running Backs (6): Damien Harris, Sony Michel, James White, Rhamondre Stevenson, Brandon Bolden, J.J. Taylor
The Patriots may try to slip Bolden by while placing another player on IR, but this comes with the risk he may be picked up by another team.
Tight Ends/Fullbacks (4): Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene
I don’t think they are ready to cut Keene and Asiasi has looked good so far. I see Keene’s role as being a hybrid TE/FB.
Wide Receivers (5): Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Isaiah Zuber/Tre Nixon, Gunner Olszewski
I can see the Patriots showcasing Harry with some plays specifically for him in the hopes of getting a decent trade. My problem now comes down to Isaiah Zuber or Tre Nixon, they have both shown plenty of straight line speed. Zuber has the advantage of a year
Offensive Line (8): Isaiah Wynn (OT), Trent Brown (OT), David Andrews (C), Shaq Mason (OG), Michael Onwenu (G/T), Ted Karras (IOL), Justin Herron (OT), William Sherman (G/T)
Not much to say here this looks like a solid OL.
Defensive Line (5): Lawrence Guy, Deatrich Wise, Davon Godchaux, Henry Anderson, Christian Barmore
The Defensive Line looks much improved over last year, but we will see.
EDGE Defender (3): Matt Judon, Anfernee Jennings, Ronnie Perkins
Going light here as I see the Patriots trying to trade Chase Winovich, and using some of the Hybrid players such as Dugger and others to fill this hole. This was by far my toughest position to fill.
Off-Ball/Hybrid Linebacker: (4): Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Josh Uche, Ja’Whaun Bentley
Nothing to see here, this looks as good as it will get.
Cornerback (5): Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Jalen Mills, Joejuan Williams
I think Gilmore returns, after this year we will see.
Safety (4): Devin McCourty, Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Myles Bryant
I see the Patriots possibly trying to slip Bledsoe onto the IR, who really knows what we have there.
Coverage specialists (3): Matthew Slater, Justin Bethel, Cody Davis
Maybe they can resign King after players have been IRed, who knows.
Specialists: Nick Folk, Jake Bailey, Joe Cardona
I think they can slip rookie kicker Quinn Nordin onto the practice squad, unless he has an unbelievable training camp, in that case they might keep him rather than Folk.