With the start of training camp seemingly right around the corner, it seems like a good time to take a stab at creating a 53-man roster. With a cutdown or no preseason to judge several rookie UDFAs, it will be tough for the rookies to show enough for them to crack the roster.
And remember, at cutdown time, the roster still has to be at 53 players, the teams can elevate two practice squad members to the active roster, (but not two weeks in a row), ah the NFL and their rules…but we digress.
So, let’s not waste any time and get right to it. As always, the roster cutdown will make some intriguing decisions for Bill Belichick and company. Injuries will also play a factor.
QUARTERBACK (3):
Jarrett Stidham, Cam Newton, Brian Hoyer
CUT: J’Mar Smith, Brian Lewerke
I still believe that Stidham will be the Week 1 starter, but we’ll reserve judgment on that until the players take the field. I also think that Smith makes it to the practice squad.
RUNNING BACK (5):
James White, Damien Harris, Sony Michel, FB Danny Vitale, Brandon Bolden
CUT: Rex Burkhead, FB Jakob Johnson, J.J. Taylor
The first big domino to fall is Burkhead with Newton in the fold. His cap hit, and the emergence (that we project) of Harris makes him the odd man out. Taylor is a very intriguing kid, his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield could make him at least a PS candidate. If Sony Michel isn’t ready to go after his offseason surgery, then this may change.
WIDE RECEIVER (6):
Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers, Mohamed Sanu, Matthew Slater, Jeff Thomas
CUT: Quincy Adeboyejo, Damiere Byrd, Marqise Lee, Gunner Olszewski, Devin Ross, Will Hastings, Sean Riley, Isaiah Zuber
Byrd is getting a lot of hype this spring as an intriguing addition but we have a feeling that the light is going to come on for Thomas to realize his potential as the next NE slot receiver. There will be a ton of competition for the final two spots here.
TIGHT END (3):
Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene, Matt LaCosse
CUT: Ryan Izzo, Rashod Berry, Jake Burt
The two 3rd round rookies are roster locks by virtue of their draft positioning, so that leaves just one spot and here…LaCosse beats out Ryan Izzo for the final one.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10):
David Andrews, Marcus Cannon, Shaq Mason, Joe Thuney, Isaiah Wynn, Yodny Cajuste, Hjalte Froholdt, Korey Cunningham, Dustin Woodard, Michael Onwenu
CUT: Jermaine Eluemunor, Justin Herron, Najee Toran
This one is a very tough one to project without seeing the players on the field, so here, we opted for an extra player than we’d carry. With the injuries and uncertainty here, this area will definitely be one to watch in camp. Could they add another player during the summer here? We think it is a possibility.
DEFENSIVE LINE (4):
Beau Allen, Adam Butler, Lawrence Guy, Byron Cowart
CUT: Nick Thurman, Deatrich Wise, Bill Murray, Nick Coe, Courtney Wallace
Wise and Coe are the tough cuts here. But Wise has seen his snaps steadily decline the past few years. Murray and/or Coe could end up on the PS.
EDGE/LINEBACKER (8):
John Simon, Chase Winovich, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Dont’a Hightower, Anfernee Jennings, Cassh Maluia, Josh Uche, Brandon Copeland,
CUT: Brandon King, Tashawn Bower, Shilique Calhoun, De’Jon Harris, Derek Rivers, Terez Hall, Kyahva Tezino
Maluia beats out the veteran King and Harris. The clock runs out for Calhoun and Rivers
CORNERBACK (6):
Stephon Gilmore, JC Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Jason McCourty, Joejuan Williams, Justin Bethel
CUT: D’Angelo Ross, Lenzy Pipkins, Myles Bryant
No surprises here as this part of the roster is deep and talented. We really liked Ross last year in training camp but he is just the victim of really deep numbers. He’ll get picked up somewhere.
SAFETY (5):
Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger, Cody Davis
CUT: Terrence Brooks, Malik Gant, Adarius Pickett
Brooks is the victim of the numbers here as the team is forced to make a tough cut.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3):
P Jake Bailey, LS Joe Cardona, K Justin Rohrwasser
No cuts here as the three main players have no camp competition.
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
Brandon King is a tough one to swallow.