MORSE: A Look at My Patriots Roster Prediction Results

This is a review of my roster predictions, plusses, and minuses while providing some roster analysis. I have added a Special Teams designation (ST) next to the core Special Teams players but listed them with the position they could play if needed. The Practice Squad is unofficially forming and I report on those up until I submit the article. I also highlight some new players to the Patriots roster.

Quarterbacks (1) (++) (-)

Mac Jones

PUP: Jarrett Stidham (Minimum of 6 weeks)

Cut: Cam Newton, Brian Hoyer

The release of Cam Newton was a shocker. I believe, as I wrote last week the COVID protocol misunderstanding last week was the deciding factor in choosing Jones as the starter. Reports are circulating that some inside the organization were seething over the missed time by Newton. The door was opened and Jones came rushing through with an outstanding practice against the Giants starters. He also had an outstanding camp, grasping everything the coaching staff threw at him. He was 8 for 14 on drives that led to scores or opportunities for scores in the Pre-season. Pro Football Focus had Jones with the highest rookie QB ratings at 92.2. He was 36 of 52, 1 TD, no interceptions, and no fumbles. Overall passer rating of 97.3. He did have 5 sacks but two of those were against the Giants starting D while he had the backup offensive line, and another was the final play of the half where he chose to eat the ball rather than throw it up for a possible Interception. He admitted after the game that he held onto the ball a little too long. The Giants did him a big favor by trying some exotic blitzes.

Brian Hoyer was as I predicted correctly cut, but that came as a surprise when Cam Newton was also cut. Hoyer was supposed to be back on the roster when Harry is put on recall IR (minimum 3 weeks). However, that changed when the Patriots were awarded WR/RB/QB Malcolm Perry on waivers from Miami. Hoyer was signed to the Practice Squad. That will only be temporary. Perry right now is the backup QB!

Running backs (5) (-)

Damien Harris, James White, Rhamondre Stevenson, J.J. Taylor (ST), Brandon Bolden (ST)

Cut: None

I was surprised that Brandon Bolden wasn’t cut and brought back on Wednesday to hold a spot for another player (Jennings) to go on short-term IR. However, Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal was a guest on Sports hub 98.5 the Felger and Mazz show today and he alluded that Bolden was hurt. Bolden did not play in any pre-season games. Could he be an IR candidate?

Fullbacks (1) (-)

Jakob Johnson (ST)

Cut: None

Johnson was another player I did not have on my list. My thinking was that the new 2 TE sets would require 4 TEs on the roster. Also, not many teams employ a Fullback anymore so the chances of Johnson getting through waivers and onto the Practice Squad was high.

Wide receivers (6) (-) (+)

Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor, Gunner Olszewski (ST), Matthew Slater (ST), Malcolm Perry

IR: Marvin Hall, N’Keal Harry(s)

Cut: Tre Nixon, Kristian Wilkerson, Isaiah Zuber

The first three will play the majority of snaps. Gunner Olszewski was omitted from my projection because of his drops. Harry will go on short-term IR on Wednesday and be able to come off in 3 weeks. Don’t be surprised if another player is claimed. Olszewski’s position is not secure. WR/RB/QB Malcolm Perry from Navy was awarded to the Patriots. Perry had 304 yards vs Army in 2019 and followed that up with 213 vs Kansas in the Liberty Bowl. Perry holds the single-season FBS rushing title of 2,017 yards. This pre-season he was targeted 8 times with 6 catches.

Tight ends (3) (-)

Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Devin Asiasi

IR: Dalton Keene, Troy Fumagalli

Cut: Matt LaCosse

Surprised LaCosse didn’t make it. He was going to be the starter at TE before opting out for COVID. He was hurt in the Philly scrimmage by a cheap shot by Defensive End Derek Barnett which led to a concussion. By the way, that throw and injury were all on Cam Newton. He led LaCosse right into Barnett. Don’t be surprised if LaCosse makes his way back onto the roster at some point this season. Basically, it’s a trade of Johnson for LaCosse.

Offensive linemen (9) (+) (-)

Isaiah Wynn, Mike Onwenu, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Trent Brown, Justin Herron, Ted Karras, Yodny Cajuste, Yasir Durant

Injured reserve: Marcus Martin

Cut: Will Sherman, Alex Redmond, James Ferentz, Korey Cunningham

The offensive line is a strength of this team and running the ball (while protecting the rookie QB) will be a priority. The starters are a Top 5 unit. Ted Karras was a starter and Captain for Miami last year. I bet they wish they had him back. Yodny Cajuste quietly had a great Pre-season and emerged as the player he was expected to be when drafted. It is a great story that he was drafted hurt, sat out his 1^st year, got hurt again in year two pre-season, and sat out the 2^nd year. Justin Herron is a fine swing tackle. I predicted nine (9) O linemen but didn’t see the trade coming for Yasir Durant. The OG had 33 starts for Missouri at LT in the SEC. He is big, at 6’6”, 330 lbs, for a Guard. He played one game for KC Chiefs at RT and didn’t play well. He gave up a sack and a couple of pressures. In fairness, he is an RG, not a tackle. Alex Redmond was cut but has been re-signed to the Practice Squad.

Defensive linemen (6) (+)

Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy, Christian Barmore, Deatrich Wise, Henry Anderson, Carl Davis

PUP: Byron Cowart

Cut: Akeem Spence, Montravius Adams, Bill Murray, Nick Thurman

Had this group correct. We lost Montravious Adams as he signed with the NO Saints.

Edge (4) (+)

Matt Judon, Josh Uche, Chase Winovich, Ronnie Perkins

Cut: Tashawn Bower

Patriots signed Tashawn Bower to PS. This unit is going to be fun to watch.

Inside linebackers (5) (- -)

Kyle Van Noy, Dont’a Hightower, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Harvey Langi (ST), Brandon King (ST)

PUP: Terez Hall

NFI: Cam McGrone

IR: Raekwon McMillan, Anfernee Jennings

Cut: None

The Patriots could have used Brandon King as one of those temporary cuts to get to 53. I am surprised they didn’t. Anfernee Jenning must be hurt a lot more than anyone is letting on, to go on the IR for the season. If Jennings had any chance to come back this year, they could have cut King with the wink and a nod, then bring him the next day when they add Jennings to IR. I also didn’t have Langi making the cut.

Cornerbacks (6) (- – – -)

J.C. Jackson, Jon Jones, Jalen Mills, Justin Bethel, Shaun Wade, Joejuan Williams

PUP: Stephon Gilmore

Cut: D’Angelo Ross, Michael Jackson, Dee Virgin

I think they are a little thin here in the secondary with Gilmore going on IR for 6 weeks.

Thought it was the end of the line for Williams. Gilmore out for 6 weeks (minimum) hurts. I had Ross making the team. Glad to see he is on the Practice Squad. Dee Virgin has signed with SF PS.

Safeties (4) (+)

Devin McCourty (ST), Kyle Dugger (ST), Adrian Phillips, Cody Davis (ST)

NFI: Josh Bledsoe

Cut: Myles Bryant, Adrian Colbert

A little thin here too! However, both Mills, Williams, and Davis can play Safety. Davis was a terrific college Safety for Texas Tech. He started as a true freshman and played in 49 games over 4 seasons. He wracked up 362 tackles with 101 coming in his senior season.

Both Bryant and Colbert have been signed to the PS.

Specialists (3) (- )

Kicker Quinn Nordin, punter Jake Bailey, long snapper Joe Cardona (-)

Cut: Kicker Nick Folk

No question Nordin has a big leg. However, I never expected the Patriots to keep the streak alive for the 18^th consecutive season by keeping an UnDrafted Free Agent on the 53 man roster. Nordin was the only UDFA on the roster and he was far too inconsistent.

Greg Bedard had an interesting observation on Felger and Mazz that Folk looked a little “doughy” and not in good shape. He compared him to former Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski, late in his career. Folk already had a bad back and that wasn’t going to get much better for a player that will turn 37 in November. Folk had the guaranteed money whether or not he made the team.

Practice Squad (as of this writing)

Bill Murray

Tre Nixon

Myles Bryant

Matt LaCosse

Alex Redmond

Kristian Wilkerson

Brian Hoyer

D’Angelo Ross

Jahlani Tavai (DET) LB Hawaii 2020 2^nd rd pick (#43)

Tashawn Bowers

Ben Mason

Mason was a 5^th Rd pick (184 overall) (BAL) FB Michigan – He has Patriots written all over him. One of my Draft Binkies this year and a player I selected in almost every mock draft I did. He blew up players in the Senior Bowl practices. Special Teams beast and can play some TE or ILB. He is 6’ 2.6”, 246 lbs runs 4.77, ran a spectacular 6.89 3-cone, 37 ½ Vertical, and is strong benching 29 reps at 225#. His mother has ties to West Roxbury. His size/speed numbers would have been #3 for ILBs. He hits like a train. I have heard that Mason will be elevated quickly to the 53 man roster.

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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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