MORSE: 2021 Way Too Early Patriots 53 Man Roster Projection

While waiting for the Rookie Camp this weekend, I thought I would put out an early roster projection. Note the Patriots will control all info coming out of rookie camp since their own reporters are the only ones allowed in.

2021 Way Too Early Patriots 53 Man Roster Projection

Roster: Total 53 – 5/10/2021

Offense 24

QUARTERBACK (3) Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham, Mac Jones

Newton will start and play until his performance forces BB to go to Jones, or Jones has a phenomenal grasp of the playbook early in the season.

RUNNING BACK (5) JJ Taylor, Sony Michel, Damien Harris, James White, Rhamondre Stevenson

Brandon Bolden is 31 and has had a great career. Stevenson does everything Bolden can do on ST and he is a very good pass blocker and receiver.

FULLBACK (0) Jakob Johnson*

Dan Vitale cut. I don’t know how long the International Player Pathway Program* exemption for Johnson lasts. If he counts against the 53, he will be cut and signed to the PS.

WIDE RECEIVER (5) Jakobi Myers, Gunner Olszewski, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, TBD

Harry traded or cut. Tre Nixon, Kristian Wilkerson, and Isaiah Zuber fight for one remaining spot. Can any of these players play Special Teams which could make the difference? I am interested to see if Olszewski can play in the slot.

TIGHT END (3) Jonnu Smith, Devin Asiasi, Hunter Henry

Dalton Keene and Matt LaCrosse are cut. Keene could come back as PS. Keene showed me nothing last year, a huge disappointment. Asiasi could be the fullback. Disappointed they did not draft Ben Mason.

OFFENSIVE LINE (8), Michael Owenu, Shaq Mason, Justin Herron, Isaiah Wynn, Trent Brown, Ted Karras, David Andrews, Will Sherman

Marcus Martin, Korey Cunningham Najee Toran, Jodny Cajuste are cut and Cajuste is brought back via PS. This could be a fight between Cajuste and Sherman for the last spot on the roster. We haven’t seen anything from Cajuste, and don’t know if he can play?

Defense 25

DEFENSIVE TACKLE (5), Davon Godchaux, Henry Anderson, Montavious Adams, Lawrence Guy, Christian Barmore

I gave Montavious Adams the nod because he is more of an NT. Byron Cowart, Akeem Spence, Bill Murray, Nick Thurman Carl Davis are cut with Cowart, Murray, Thurman, and Spence coming back via the PS. Davis has a history of concussions.

DEFENSIVE END (3) Chase Winowich, Detrick Wise, Ronnie Perkins

Cut Rashod Berry and Tashon Bowers, with both eligible for the PS. Wise can slip into DT on passing downs.

LINEBACKER (6) Josh Uche, Donta Hightower, Matt Judon, Afernee Jennings, Kyle Van Noy, Raekwon McMillan,

Cut Laroy Reynolds, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Terez Hall. Harvey Langi is just a camp body.

PUP Cameron McGrone

A tough cut of Bentley, but he is just too slow. I keep McMillan over Bentley.

CORNERBACK (7) Stephon Gilmore, JC Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Jojuan Williams, Myles Bryant, Justin Bethel, Jalen Mills

Cut Dee Virgin, Michael Jackson, and DeAngelo Ross. All are eligible for PS

SAFETY (4) Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger, Cody Davis

Cut Joshua Bledsoe, Retired – Patrick Chung. Bledsoe is eligible for PS

Special Teams (4)

K Roberto Aguayo, Nick Folk Quinn Norbin (3), P Jake Bailey(1), LS Joe Cardona (1), Matthew Slater, Brandon King, (2)

Its Folk’s job to lose (1), Bailey is an All-Pro (1), Cardona is solid *1) Slater may someday end up in the hall of fame (1)

Aguayo, Norbin, and King get cut. Norbin if he shows anything could be kept on PS

Morse’s Morsels

Safety Patrick Chung’s retirement is not official yet. Looks like they are holding off until June for cap reasons.

The signing of former Patriots UDFA LB Harvey Langi might be something we will see more of to fill the remaining open slots on the roster. Bring in veteran Free Agents rather than college free agents.

I was hoping the Patriots signed Mississippi St QB KJ Costello for their mini-camp this weekend. Costello announced he is attending the LA Chargers mini-camp on a tryout basis.

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About Mark Morse

Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.

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