MORSE: Thoughts on Patriots’ Initial 53-Man Roster
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Listing the 23 players that remain to be cut Monday, I made a mistake. Teams no longer need to cut a player to protect an injured player so that the injured player can be put on recallable IR. NFL Teams are granted two recallable IR spots. So, Jahlani Tavai was put on recallable IR. That means a player such as Morgan Moses does not need to be cut and re-signed the next day.
I was a bit surprised that Kyle Peko was released over the weekend. I had him making the 53-man roster because of the injury to Isaiah Iton. One wrong!
My five roster cuts I got wrong were Bradyn Swinson, Marcus Epps, Kyle Peko, Truman Jones and John Parker-Romo.
Those that made the initial 53-man roster were Vederian Lowe, Javon Baker, Andres Borregales and Jack Westover. Borregales “won” the kicking competition only because he was a draft pick and the Front Office didn’t want to look bad. Lowe and Westover’s spot on the roster are tenuous at best. They could be cut to add player from the waiver wire or sign a vested veteran Free Agent.
Anfernee Jennings, Kyle Dugger and Kendrick Bourne are still candidates to be traded or cut. Jakobi Meyers may be available. Could a combination of Bourne, Dugger and a draft pick for Meyers be enough? I was shocked that all three players made the initial roster.
Marcus Epps asked to be released.
Rookie 5th Round Draft Pick DE Bradyn Swinson was a huge disappointment. One of the reasons he lasted until the 5h round of the 2025 draft was that his production in college was limited to his final year. Come to find out that Swinson has no pass rush moves. He would only bull rush. This allowed Elijah Ponder, a player I hyped as soon as they signed him as a UDFA to make the team. Mike Smith sang his praises last week as the best UDFA he has ever coached.
Javon Baker made the team because of his Special Teams prowess. We should count him as a Special Teams only player and not under the WR position, similar to Matthew Slater. It was quite interesting that Baker deleted all his social media involvement with the Patriots.
Ja’Lynn Polk went straight to IR and will be out for the season. Jahlani Tavai went to recallable IR (after 4 weeks).
The end of the Cole Strange era. What a draft bust and thank you Bill Belichick the GM!
Wednesday noon will bring the first wave of Waiver Claims. The Patriots have the 4th waiver priority and should be very active with at least three claims awarded. FB Jakub Johnson played for McDaniel on the Raiders. Wouldn’t be surprised if he is added and Westover waived (possible Practice Squad player).
Hendon Hooker QB DET
Esa Pole OT KC
Conner McDermott OT HOU a former Patriots OT is a Vested Vet and Unrestricted Free Agent.
Jalyn Armour-Davis CB BAL
The Ravens released Davis, a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Armour-Davis has been impacted by injuries since entering the league having played just 19 games in three seasons. And New England is not in dire need of cornerback talent with Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis headlining the group alongside Marcus Jones, Alex Austin and training camp riser DJ James. But there’s still potential in the 26-year-old who played for the Crimson Tide.
Greg Dulcich, TE NYG caught two TDs versus the Patriots, and I think he is better than Jack Westover.
Elijah Chatman DT NYG played Fullback versus the Patriots. He is massive and knocks the snot out of players. A 2023 UDFA out of SMU stands 6’ 291-pounds and ran a 4.9 40-yard dash.
Jakub Johnson FB HOU played for Josh McDaniel on the Raiders.
Tommy DeVito QB NYG played in 12 games and started 8 games. He had 65.3 Comp %, with 8 TDs to 3 INTs. A waiver claim is possible if not the Practice Squad.
Seth McLaughlin C (Ohio State) rookie was a consensus All-American before his injury last season.
Luke Lachey TE (Iowa) HOU
Kendrick Green G BUF
Joshua Gray G (San Diego State) ATL
Max Scharping G PIT
Trent Brown OT HOU Free Agent -would the Patriots bring him back for a third time?
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Love the potential pickups listed in: Jakob Johnson. He only left as the pats went to a 1 RB zone running game. Johnson had improved a ton and bulked up here in his 3 years. He commanded decent money as a FB when he left for LAR. Getting the NT/FB from the NYG – yea add him too. Why not? The Ravens using a NT Ricard at 311 lbs was very impactful. Seth McLaughlin (Center), add him to practice squad or injury list if that’s where he’s at, and he’s a prospective center a year from now. Long term investment.… Read more »