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(PHOTO: Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports) With training camp somewhat underway…the team has suffered eight players deciding to opt-out of the 2020 season. That combined with the team releasing nine players but bringing two back makes for some big changes in what our initial roster projection looked like.
Dont’a Hightower, Marcus Cannon, Pat Chung, Danny Vitale were all expected to be starters or play a big role in the team in 2020. Brandon Bolden is a core special teams’ ace while Matt LaCosse was expected (here) to make the roster at tight end.
So, with all that in mind, it seems like a good time to take a second look at creating a 53-man roster. As always, the roster cutdown will make some intriguing decisions for Bill Belichick and his coaching staff. Injuries will also play a factor.
Jarrett Stidham, Cam Newton, Brian Hoyer
CUT: Brian Lewerke
No changes here, although he was cut, the team brought back Michigan State UDFA QB Lewerke, who should be a practice squad candidate.
Rex Burkhead, James White, Damien Harris, Sony Michel, FB Jakob Johnson
CUT: J.J. Taylor
Opt-Out: FB Danny Vitale, Brandon Bolden
The loss of Bolden and Vitale hurts their depth and their plans for 2020. With Sony Michel opening the season on PUP, don’t close any doors on Taylor making a push for a roster spot.
Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers, Mohamed Sanu, Matthew Slater, Jeff Thomas
CUT: Quincy Adeboyejo, Damiere Byrd, Gunner Olszewski, Devin Ross, Will Hastings,
Opt-Out: Marqise Lee
No changes here. We didn’t have Lee making the cut earlier
Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene, Ryan Izzo
CUT: Rashod Berry, Jake Burt
Opt-Out: Matt LaCosse
LaCosse opts-out… Good news for Ryan Izzo for the final spot.
David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Joe Thuney, Isaiah Wynn, Yodny Cajuste, Hjalte Froholdt, Korey Cunningham, Dustin Woodard, Michael Onwenu
CUT: Jermaine Eluemunor, Justin Herron,
Opt-Out: Marcus Cannon, Najee Toran
With Marcus Cannon opting out, it really hurts their depth at tackle. Could they add another player during the summer here? We think it went from a possibility to a near sure thing
Beau Allen, Adam Butler, Lawrence Guy, Byron Cowart, Bill Murray
CUT: Nick Thurman, Deatrich Wise, Nick Coe, Courtney Wallace
Wise and Coe are the tough cuts here and that could conceivably change with Hightower opting out. With a dearth now of inside linebackers, could the Patriots use more of a 4-3 look? That may open the door for Wise to remain. And in this crazy year, that could happen.
John Simon, Chase Winovich, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Anfernee Jennings, Cassh Maluia, Josh Uche, Brandon Copeland, Brandon King
CUT: Tashawn Bower, Shilique Calhoun, De’Jon Harris, Derek Rivers, Terez Hall, Kyahva Tezino
Opt-Out: Dont’a Hightower,
The depth at linebacker has taken a huge hit this year, all three starters from 2019 (Hightower, Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy) are gone along with top sub Elandon Roberts. Inside backers now look to be Bentley, Copeland, and Maluia. King who begins camp on PUP is by no means a lock, he’ll get pushed by Calhoun, Harris, and Rivers.
Stephon Gilmore, JC Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Jason McCourty, Joejuan Williams, Justin Bethel
CUT: D’Angelo Ross, Myles Bryant
No changes here as this part of the roster is deep and talented. Ross and Bryant are just victims of bad timing…the depth here is off the charts.
Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger, Cody Davis, Terrence Brooks
CUT: none
Opt-out: Patrick Chung
Chung opting out opens the door for Brooks.
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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You have Kyahva Tezino being cut, but he is with Carolina, he was cut when they went to 80 players on July 26.
Could be a strong roster by playoff time.
I am going to take a random stab in the dark that Hoyer gets cut and Luwerke makes the team. Hoyer is flat out not good anymore and has a 1MM cap hit. He won’t make the field and even if he does, it means they are having a terrible season.