Patriots News And Notes 5-5, Early 53-Man Roster Projection
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Good morning. Here are your Patriots news and notes for May 5. And a happy Cinco de Mayo (My-O), not the head coach (May-O)… Okay, bad pun.
Bad pun #2: MAYE THE FIFTH season, sans Tom Brady, be fruitful for the Patriots.
Remember that the curoster currently constructed is still fluid. The players here now will probably differ in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season and definitely be different at the close of the season. But with thatn mind, I constructed an early 53-man roster projection based on who is here right now.
I am looking forward to the Tom Brady roast tonight, live on Netflix at 8 p.m. It should be great with Drew Bledsoe, Bill Belichick, Julian Edelman, and Rob Gronkowski, among others.
Speaking of Belichick, I’ve been seeing some conversations on Twitter/”X.” Where the Patriots would not have kept Onwenu, Dugger, and Barmore had Belichick still been the Coach/GM.
I will disagree with that one. With all of the money in cap space, I doubt Belichick would have let them walk with all the cash available. Would they have played a little more hardball? Yes, I think so, but I still think all three would have stayed.
But like so many other things, we’ll never know the answer.
Javon Baker: The Patriots’ rookie wide receiver certainly has no lack of confidence. On the day he was drafted, he proclaimed, “I make people in wheelchairs stand up.” Give him high marks for that one.
The other day, Baker wasn’t done. He said he was already a Top 10 receiver in the NFL.
“No way in (expletive) America 10 receivers better than me,” Baker said on Instagram. “Out of your (expletive) mind. … You ain’t gonna outwork me, though. Tell you that much. I don’t give a (expletive) how hard I’m breathing. I’m gonna go again.”
People are split on whether he should be humble or continue to vent. I’m hoping he continues to vent both on and off the field for being the 110th pick in the draft. I’m all for it if he uses that as motivation to elevate his game (a la #199). Whatever works to make him a better WR, then go for it. He’s not disrespecting anyone or calling out people.
He and Ja’Lynn Polk, who are working with Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissette, are going to be fun to watch this spring/summer. Are you ready…?
Joey Slye: The Patriots’ decision to include camp competition for Chad Ryland this year wasn’t surprising. It was totally expected. Ryland did not have a good or even decent rookie season, making just 16 of 25 field goals (64 percent). However, he did pay dividends because one of his misses allowed the Patriots the luxury of getting the #3 pick, who turned out to be Drake Maye.
Slye has been in the league for five years and has a wealth of experience, having played in 78 games in his career. He has a career average of 82.3 percent on his field goal attempts—not exactly All-Pro stats, but better than Ryland’s.
The Patriots believe that Ryland can straighten out his game, but now he’ll have to watch over his shoulder and compete.
Matthew Judon: After an injury sidelined him after only four games last season, Judon seems poised to return, and in a big way, in 2024. He appeared on The Money Down podcast and is itching to get back on the field.
“I’m out for a vendetta,” he said. “I got s**t to prove, and I got stuff I want to get done in my career. Personally, I’m on all B.S. all year. I’m about to turn the dial back.” More below.
Matthew Judon Pt. 2: Judon heard rookie Javon Baker’s quotes and sent the rookie a message on the podcast, encouraging him to keep on showing his confidence/cockiness.
“Don’t do that for the public… and then come in here with your backpack on, having your head down. Man! You just told people in a wheelchair to stand up… Be that… cause if you can’t be comfortable at your job… it’s just gon’ get awkward, and you gon’ stop liking the game,” said Judon.
New Jersey Numbers: The Patriots did away with the Bill Belichick-era signs “Do Your Job,” etc., and now have done away with Belichick’s decision to issue rookies odd jersey numbers that didn’t correspond with their positions.
Several veterans have switched jersey numbers, and a few rookies have been given their jersey numbers. The remainder of the team will be issued jersey numbers soon, and it may already have been done.
The Patriots released this list a few days ago via a video on the team’s website. So, for those of you keeping score at home, here are some of the new numbers.
Christian Gonzalez: 0
Ja’Lynn Polk: 1
K.J. Osborn: 2
Demario Douglas: 3
Drake Maye: 10
Jacoby Brissette: 14
Sione Takitaki: 16
Antonio Gibson: 21
Jaylinn Hawkins: 32
Nick Leverette: 51
Michael Jordan: 74
Chukwuma Okarafor: 77
Austin Hooper: 81
Javon Baker: 86
Armon Watts: 94
Patriots 4th & 2 Podcast: This past week, we discussed the latest news from Foxboro in our PatsFans.com podcast.
Derek Havens and I did three podcasts: our normal weekly podcast, one immediately after Round 1, and a third on Sunday going over each of the Patriots’ draft picks. For the record, I really liked what they did overall.
Russ Francis/Chuck Fairbanks: The former Patriot tight end and head coach should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame, and the fact that Francis isn’t in is an absolute travesty. Francis and the Raiders’ Dave Casper changed the game with how teams used the tight end position. This will be discussed in our Sunday posts until it happens. Casper is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Francis’ numbers stand up well against Casper’s, yet he isn’t even in the team’s HOF.
The Patriots addressed their needs in the draft, and now it is up to the players selected and the coaches to fill those needs. Whether you loved or hated the picks, we won’t know how these guys will fare until they hit the field.
The Patriots have assembled their initial 90-man roster with free agency, and the 2024 NFL Draft is complete. Although it is really early, I’ll attempt to put together an initial 53-man roster. The caveat here is that I expect the team to add some veteran players before training camp.
I also think that eight offensive linemen may be a little on the light side, given the injuries they suffered there a year ago. But I’m sure the PS will have their share of linemen there.
The Patriots still have $50 million (not counting their draft picks) to spend in free agency, so they can try to sign some free agents or make a trade and pay a premium player.
But one thing is for sure. Eliot Wolf has assembled a very young roster, something he said back in the winter he would do, aka “The Packer Way,” of drafting, developing, and playing younger players.
Currently, only six players are 30+ years old on the roster. During the Brady/Belichick years, the team was always one of the oldest, with Belichick relying on veterans to provide production and leadership.
Quarterback: (3)
Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Milton
Out: Bailey Zappe, Nathan Rourke
Unless Milton flames out badly, I think he’ll make the roster. Nathan Rourke will be on the practice squad, and Zappe will be traded or released after June 1.
Running back: (3)
Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris
Out: Ja’Mycal Hasty, Ke’Shawn Vaughn, DeShaun Fenwick
Stevenson and Gibson are the clear 1-2 in terms of carries, with Harris contributing as he has before. They need to have a fourth for depth, especially since Alex Van Pelt wants to run the ball. Fenwick is an intriguing option because of his size and production. He, Vaughn, and Hasty will battle it out for a spot.
Wide receiver: (5)
Ja’Lynn Polk, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Javon Baker,
Out: JuJu Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, Jalen Reagor,T.J. Luther, Kawaan Baker
Unless Smith-Schuster arrives at camp fully healthy and showing signs of his old self, I think he’d be a post-June 1st cut. Reagor, who contributes little as a receiver, could make the team as a kick returner. With so many WRs, reps are going to be hard to come by. The two draft picks need to work to integrate into the offense. They are the future.
Boutte is facing a trial for illegal gambling charges, which may influence his place on the roster. Thornton has supposedly bulked up, and he needs a very impressive spring/summer to stay in 2024.
Tight End: (4)
Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell, Mitchell Wilcox
Out: La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren
Bell, even though he’s a seventh-round pick, has the makings of an H-back/Flex tight end who makes big plays with the ball in his hands. But this may also be an area where another practice squad addition takes place. Wilcox is a very good blocker.
Offensive Line: (8)
LT Chukwuma Okorafor, LG Nick Leverett, C David Andrews, RG Sidy Sow, RT Mike Onwenu, OT Caedan Wallace, G Layden Robinson, OT Calvin Anderson
Out: OT Vederian Lowe, OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr., G Antonio Mafi, C/G Jake Andrews, G Michael Jordan, OT Andrew Stueber, C Charles Turner, OT Zuri Henry
PUP: Cole Strange
The offensive line is still a big, big question mark for me. Cole Strange suffered his season-ending injury late in the season and may not be ready to start. He could start training camp on PUP.
Although he’s an UDFA, Henry is intriguing because of his size. A couple of players could also end up on the practice squad.
Defensive Line: (4)
DT Christian Barmore, DT Davon Godchaux, DT Daniel Ekuale, DT Armon Watts
Out: DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr., DT Sam Roberts, DT Trysten Hill
This is a very good group. The only change is Watts replacing Lawrence Guy, who was released. Pharms and Roberts may stick around on the PS.
Edge Players: (6)
Matthew Judon, Deatrich Wise Jr., Anfernee Jennings, Joshua Uche, Keion White, Oshane Ximines
Out: William Bradley-King, John Morgan
The team brought back Uche and Jennings in free agency and got Judon back from his season-ending injury, which should immediately pay dividends. White had a good rookie season, and we’ll be watching for a big Year 2 jump.
Linebacker: (6)
Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Sione Takitaki, Raekwon McMillan, Marte Mapu, Christian Elliss
Out: Joe Giles-Harris, Jontrey Hunter
The team has relied heavily on Bentley and Tavai, which won’t change. Takitaki replaces Mack Wilson. Eliss is purely a special teamer. But the wildcard remains McMillan. He’s been impressive when he’s on the field, which is why the defensive coaches like him. However, he’s seemingly always hurt. If he’s hurt again, that could open the door for either Hunter or Giles-Harris.
I think Mapu is best served (and the team as well) if he plays linebacker and not at safety. But he’s a bit of a “tweener” and may be carried in other roster projections as a safety. Either way, he’s going to contribute
Cornerback: (7)
Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Marcellas Dial, Isaiah Bolden, Shaun Wade
Out: Marco Wilson, Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor, Kaleb Ford Dement
Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, and Marcus Jones are locks for the roster. However, after that, it is wide open for competition. I like Dial’s length and speed. I told Derek Havens on our post-draft podcast last Sunday that I believe a move to free safety could be in the cards for him.
Bolden was playing well until a bad concussion ended his season before it even began. Austin played well after coming over from Houston, but I’m still waiting for Stephon Gilmore’s return.
Safety: (3)
Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins
Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, Dell Pettus
I think the team needs to keep four safeties, especially if the team can entice Justin Simmons to come to New England. Hawkins is both an experienced safety and special teamer. Bledsoe goes back to the PS, so the depth is there.
Special Teams: (4)
K Chad Ryland, P Bryce Baringer, LS Joe Cardona, Gunner Brenden Schooler
No surprises here unless Ryland gets beaten out by Joey Slye who was signed on Thursday. He played for the Commanders, 49ers, Texans, and Panthers. Ryland had a very shaky rookie season, while Baringer was mostly good in his first season. Cardona has been steady for a decade. Schooler needs to cut down on his penalties, but with Matthew Slater retired, he will be looked on as a leader.
The Bills signed three veteran players to one year contracts late last week, WR Chase Claypool, LB Deion Jones, and DE Dawuane Smoot. While all three are well known vets, who have had success in the NFL, none of them are a sure thing when it comes to making the roster or having an impact.
Claypool had two good years in Pittsburgh when he entered the NFL. Since then, he’s trended downward. Last year with Miami, he had just four catches for 26 yards in nine games. Jones was a very talented Pro Bowl player but he’s getting a bit long in the tooth. Of the three, he probably has the most upside at this juncture of his career. Smoot is a talented pass rusher but has only been a semi-starter. But his numbers fell off a year ago, and would be a depth piece now.
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“”I know it’s not gonna be the same, and we’re not gonna be the same Patriots,” Judon said. “It’s gonna look different. It’s gonna feel different. But we’re not laying down for nobody. We’re not trying to rebuild.
“It’s not a post-apocalypse. We just got a new coach, and [Bill Belichick] was there for a long time and he was a great coach. He was great for the organization. He did everything in his power to win championships. But now it’s Mayo time to do the exact same thing.”
Patriots edge rusher Matthew Judon when discussing the 2024 Patriots and their path back to competing under a new coaching regime.
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“Talent sets the floor; Character sets the ceiling.” Bill Belichick
Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at [email protected]
Listen to our Patriots 4th and 2 podcasts on Apple and YouTube as Russ Goldman, Derek Havens, and myself from PatsFans.com discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis.
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3-14 with a big jump in 2025. It’s going to take some time to get the new offense running and to get the young players some experience,.