MORSE: Final Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection
Kassidy Hill / USA TODAY NETWORK
Final Patriots Projected Roster
It’s cut down day and there is no getting around it. The Turk has come a calling with the 1st known cut being DT Carl Davis. He is a free agent now and can sign with whoever he wants. However, he could just hang around Foxboro and possibly be re-signed when they put another player that made the final 53, on Injured Reserve. A very surprising trade of Pierre Strong to Cleveland for an unheralded OT that’s has never played a down in the NFL.
Note: word has already filtered through social media that Quandre Mosley has been cut.
Offense (23)
QB (2) M.Jones, B.Zappe
Malik Cunnigham cannot play Wide Receiver. He has terrible hands and runs his pass routes very poorly. The Patriots are going to roll the dice and waive him and try to get him through to the Practice Squad. Hus value is to mimic the opposing QB’s on the scout team. Perhaps in time he could be a QB but let’s end the thought of Cunningham playing WR.
Cut: Trace McSorley, M.Cunningham (PS)
RB (3) R.Stevenson, E.Elliott, Ty Montgomery
Pierre Strong was traded to the Cleveland Brown for nothing which meant that he was getting cut and Cleveland, who needed a running back swooped in. The compensation was nothing. Tyrome Wheatley Jr played TE at Michigan and wasn’t involved in the offense. He transferred twice and only converted to OT at Morgan St. He is 6’6” 320 and has been on three NFL teams Practice Squads. Ty Montgomery came back to practice as a full participant, but just can’t stay healthy. Montgomery didn’t play in the Pre-season game which indicated that he Made the team. JJ Taylor may be brought back as one of the two players go on IR.
Cut: K.Harris (PS), JJ Taylor (PS), CJ Marable, Pierre Strong (Traded)
WR (6) D.Parker, J.SmithSchuster, P.Douglas, K.Boutte, K.Bourne, T.Thornton
Kayshon Boutte not playing in the Tennessee game is an indication that he had made the team. Douglas had a strong camp as well. The Patriots will IR Tyquan Thornton – he will make the Final 53 only to be placed on IR and be eligible to be recalled after 6 weeks.
Cut: Raleigh Webb, and Thyrick Pitts (PS), Tre Nixon passed through waivers and was added to the Patriots IR. He is out for the season and cannot be recalled.
TE (2) H.Henry, M.Gesicki
Gesicki’s injury shows the need for a 3rd TE. Sokol is better blocker than either of these two players. Sokol was instrumental with his block that got Stephenson into the end zone vs the Packers 1st team Goal Line unit. This could be just two players with a liberal call up of the TEs from Practice Squad.
Cut: Firkser (PS), Sokol (PS) Washington (PS), Lumpkin
C (2) J.Andrews, D.Andrews
No change from my previous projection.
Cut: Ferentz, Russey (PS)
G (4) M.Onwenu, C.Strange, A.Mafi, C. Hines
Owenu was activated off the PUP list this week. The one practice we saw had him playing Right Guard. I hope he goes to RT. Hines has done good work with the 3rd team OL but has never really seen any work with the 2nd group, so this could be a stretch. I would like to see Mafi next to Owenu, those two would be quite the road graders on the right side.
Cut Vanterpool
T (3) Tre.Brown, S.Sow, R.Reiff, Wheatley
I was very disappointed that the Patriots couldn’t swing a trade for Josh Jones. It only cost Houston a 5th rd pick and they got a 7th back in return. The trade of Pierre Strong for Tyrome Wheatley Jr is a joke. Wheatley played one year at OT for his father at Morgan State. He has been on three Practice Squads but never a down in the NFL. McDermott just played himself off the team. He is injured and will probably need an injury settlement. Sow has struggled and Reiff is hurt. Trent Brown has hardly played or practiced. What a nightmare the OT position is. Reiff will probably go on IR after the 53-man roster is established.
Cut: C. McDermott
NFI: C. Anderson
Defense (25)
Edge (4) K.White, M.Judon, J.Uche, A.Jennings
White is an exciting rookie who can play standing up on the edge or with his hand in the dirt as a 3-4 DT. Uche once strictly a pass rush specialist has learned to play the edge against the run. Jennings has had a very good Spring and Pre-season so far. Judon is a handful for opposing D-lineman and can really set the edge.
Cut: R. Perkins Can’t stay healthy. He played exceptionally well in the last preseason game and will get claimed if cut.
PUP: T. Flowers
DT (5) C.Barmore, D.Godchaux, D.Ekuale, D.Wise, S. Roberts
Ekuale played his way onto this team, and he played at Nose Tackle to start the game Friday night. Davis was a big body backup and short yardage specialist and a surprise cut.
Cut: L. Guy, C. Davis, J. Pharms, Ju Tavai, – Guy is a veteran and will become a free agent immediately. He is being cut with a wink and a nod. He will resign as soon as they can put the (3) players on IR. I think they keep Roberts who played very well in the last preseason game and would likely be claimed off waivers if released. White can play the DT role with his hand in the dirt.
LB (5) J.Bentley, J.Tavai, C. Munson, C.Board, M.Mapu
Munson showed he could play, but the fact that he played so much in the final preseason game is an indicator he will get cut. Both Board and Munson are key contributor on Special Teams. Marte makes Wilson expendable.
Cut: D. Fagot, C. Wells (PS), Wilson (PS)
CB (7) C.Gonzalez, Ma.Jones, Ja.Jones, M.Bryant, S.Wade, Jon.Jones, I. Bolden
I have 7 here because of the uncertainty of the Jack Jones situation and the concussion of Isaiah Bolden. I think Bolden makes the 53-man roster then gets put on IR to be eligible to come back after 6 games. Wade has had a pretty good camp and is insurance should Jack Jones be suspended. We will know more after Jack Jones September 15th Probable Cause hearing. As of right now Jack Jones is your starting Right Cornerback. I was surprised he played so much in the pre-season game on Friday. Perhaps he might be a surprise cut?
Cut Q. Mosley (PS), R, Randle (PS) They have both done enough to earn spots on the PS.
SS (2) K.Dugger, A.Phillips Strong Safety is the strongest position on the team. They have 5 players that could play here. Marte and Peppers will play some Free Safety. I am concerned there is not enough speed at the FS position, including Jalen Mills. Bledsoe just hasn’t done enough to make the team.
Cut: Joshuah Bledsoe (PS)
FS (2) J.Peppers, J.Mills
Peppers is really another SS but this is how the Pats Picker has him categorized. I really don’t like Mills at Free Safety. I think he is too slow. I would rather see Jon Jones there and play Marcus Jones at Slot Corner. Schooler is a ST player that can play a little FS if needed.
Cut: Brad Hawkins (PS)
Special Teams (5)
ST (5) C.Ryland, B.Baringer, J.Cardona, M.Slater, B.Schooler
Cut: N. Folk, C. Waitman. A. Speed (PS)
Ryland is the highest drafted Special Teams player in Patriots history. He won’t get cut. Baringer has a great leg and has been great in preseason. His punts are a real weapon the way he can change the field position. Speed just hasn’t done anything special. Schooler has been great on Special Teams and he is relentless in his pursuit of the returner. Folk might be traded or they could possibly keep two kickers (unlikely).
Total players: 53
Post 53 man roster – Bolden, Reiff and Thornton to IR and JJ Taylor, and L Guy resigned. Look for the team to be active claiming players on the waiver wire. There is one position open. Wheatley might be a cut to claim a player on waivers. Wheatley could then be added back as the third player after the three go on IR.
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