53-Man Roster Patriots Projection 8/6
Offense (24)
QB (2) Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
Cut: Ben Woolridge*
This is a no-brainer. Woolridge will pass through waivers and be an emergency call up if needed.
RB (4) Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Lan Larison, TreVeyon Henderson
Cut: Terrell Jennings
Jennings might be signed to the Practice Squad again this year.
TE (2) Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper
Cut: Jack Westover *, CJ Dippre *, Gee Scott*, Jaheim Bell, Tyler Davis, Cole Fotheringham
Bell won’t be asked to be on the Practice Squad. The other three will be emergency Game Day callups when they need a 3rd TE. That would be 9 potential call ups.
WR (7) Stefon Diggs, Demario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, Javon Baker, Efton Chism
Cut: Ja’Lynn Polk (trade), Kendrick Bourne, John Jiles *, Jeremiah Webb
The first 5 positions are solid. Baker has been making big plays recently and stacking practices. He makes the team because he is the gunner on the Punt Coverage Team and can be used as a Kickoff Returner. I expect Chism to make the team because the team doesn’t believe he would make it through waivers to the Practice Squad. He had 6 top 30 visits before the draft. Polk is playing better so I think he has some trade value. Bourne has no chance of making the team because he is 29.
C (2) Garrett Bradbury, Ben Brown
Cut: Cole Strange, Alec Lindstrom*
The Cole Strange era has come to an end. Strange is playing behind Ben Brown and is third string at Left Guard too!
G (3) Mike Onwenu, Jared Wilson, Caedan Wallace
Cut: Sidy Sow, Layden Robinson*, Tyrese Robinson * Mekhi Butler
Layden Robinson the 4th Round pick last year is so far down the depth chart he will be waived and hopefully make it to the PS. Same deal with Tyrese Robinson. The Robinson’s had their opportunity to win the LG job and failed. Sidy Sow has been used exclusively at RG. Caedan Wallace is the swing Guard and Ben Brown started playing some reps at LG in practice this week.
T (4) Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Demontrey Jacobs, Vederian Lowe
Cut: Marcus Bryant*, Jack Conely *
Vederian Lowe looked good in One on Ones yesterday according to Greg Bedard. Bryant has spindly legs and needs a year to get up to speed for the NFL. Conley is in the same boat of needing how to be an NFL player. Wouldn’t be surprised to see the Patriots trade for a Center/Guard or claim one on waivers at the cutdown.
Defense (25)
EDGE (5) Keion White, Milton Williams, Truman Jones, K’Lavon Chaisson, Bradyn Swinson
Cut: Elijah Ponder *
Ponder’s pass rush skills are very good. I don’t think he will pass through waivers. Truman Jones was an off-season award winner that served as one of the team captains for the in-stadium scrimmage.
DT (4) Christian Barmore, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Joshua Farmer, Khyiris Tonga
Cut: Isaiah Ito*, Jahvaree Ritzie, David Olajiga, Jaquelin Roy*
Both Williams and White can move inside, especially on passing downs
ILB (4) Robert Spillane, Jack Gibbens, Christian Elliss, Monty Rice
Cut: Jahlani Tavai
Rice has the ability to play ILB or OLB and was a 3rd round pick by Vrabel when he coached at Tennessee. Tavai just doesn’t fit this defense and may have some trade value.
OLB (2) Harold Landry, Kyle Dugger,
Cut: Anfernee Jennings
Jennings is outstanding at holding the edge, but that is it. K’Lavon Chaisson was playing the Edge in goal line defense over Jennings. He has no value as a pass rusher and cannot drop into coverage. I list Dugger here and I have been pushing for that. Dugger cannot play Free Safety. He was the Safety that was beat by Drake Maye when the passed on the run to Pop Douglas. Dugger has zero instincts for the position. If I can see this, why can’t the Patriots coaching staff see this.
CB (6) Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Alex Austin, Marcellas Dial Jr., Marcus Jones, D.J. James
Cut: Isaiah Bolden *, Miles Battle*, Kobee Minor, Brandon Crossley
Marcellus Dial’s injury may change this prediction. If Dial has a severe knee injury, then I think they keep Bolden because of his known Special Teams ability and 4.3 speed.
SS (2) Dell Pettus, Jabrill Peppers,
Cut: Jordan Polk
Pettus had a very good season for an UDFA in 2024 filling in for Peppers and Dugger. His 73.9 rating from PFF ranks him 25th in the league (out of 64 starting Safeties). Move Dugger to LB and don’t stifle the growth of Pettus.
FS (2) Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins
Cut: Josh Minkins, Marcus Epps
Cutting Epps is a tough cut. He is returning from knee surgery.
Special Teams (4)
ST (4) Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby, Brenden Schooler, Andres Borregales
Cut: John Parker Romo*
The only competition is the kicker battle which has been an outstanding competition. These guys are just not missing kicks. I give Borregales the nod because he was a draft pick and that’s the only reason. Romo has been just as good. Perhaps kickoffs in the pre-season games will make the difference.
Total Players: 53
* Candidates for the Practice Squad
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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.
