MORSE: Updated 53-Man Patriots Roster Projection after 12 Practices

As the team gets set for its first joint practice of the year against the Colts and the club’s first preseason game, here’s an updated New England Patriots 53-man roster projection after 12 practices:

QB (3) Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito, Behren Morton

DeVito looked good in the scrimmage and Morton is having a good camp. I expect Morton to shine in the Pre-Season games making it difficult to try and get him through to the Practice Squad.

RB (4) Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Reggie Gilliam, Lan Larison

Terrell Jennings has been getting reps ahead of Larison because of a fumbling issue. I believe that Larison has had two fumbles. I still like Larison ahead of Jennings. The competition for the Kickoff Return job and who excels in the other phases of Special Teams will be the deciding factor on who gets the job.

TE (3) Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon, Tanner Arkin

If they need an extra spot on the roster at another position they could waive Arkin, who is unlikely to get claimed off waivers.

WR (7) A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III, Demario Douglas, Mack Hollins

Kyle Williams isn’t going anywhere unless another team makes an outrageous offer. Boutte I don’t think gets traded, and Efton Chism will never make it through waivers. I could see a scenario where Mack Hollins gets waived, with a wink and a nod. Because he is a vested veteran, he does not have to go through waivers and immediately becomes a Free Agent. He never cleans out his locker and is resigned before the game in Seattle.

C (2) Jared Wilson, Ben Brown

Brown has me worried and we will find out more about Wilson’s progress with the Joint Practice on Tuesday.

G (2) Mike Onwenu, Alijah Vera-Tucker

Brown and Lomu are the backup Guards. I sure would feel better with a veteran backup.

Jun 9, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tackle Caleb Lomu (74) looks on at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images — **(PHOTO: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)**

T (5) Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu, Marcus Bryant, Dametrious Crownover

Lomu has had a difficult transition to the NFL overall. This was expected. The Joint practice will show just how bad the situation is. Campbell has shown improvement but has an elbow injury that will probably require the brace all season. Marcus Bryant has been a surprise in camp, and again we will find out when they go up against the Colts D line and EDGE players just how good they are. Crownover is just a massive human being and needs work. He will probably be a red-shirt inactive player unless there is an injury. You don’t waive young OTs until they prove they can’t play. Lets pray that Moses makes it through the entire season.

EDGE (1) Dre’Mont Jones

Jones is the only pure EDGE player.

(PUP) Harold Landry (4 weeks) – Don’t be surprised if Landry never plays again. He tried pushing a sled with head Performance Guru Frank Piraino this week at practice and reports were that Landry was noticeably limping afterwards. He has a guaranteed $16M this year (a terrible contract) and he will collect and the Patriots can’t get out of it. However, they don’t have to use a roster spot on him.

DT (5) Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory

The 1^st four are locks with Durden and Farmer having very good Training Camps. I keep Gregory because he is a little bit stouter on the line, to replace Tonga in short-yardage situations. I hope they can slide Leonard Taylor to the Practice Squad.

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots safety Dell Pettus (24) and linebacker Chad Muma (49) celebrate after a play against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images — **(PHOTO: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)**

ILB (3) Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Chad Muma

Muma has jumped ahead of KJ Britt as the Jack Gibbens type player. Khalil Jacobs has pushed Britt off the team.

OLB (4) Gabe Jacas, Elijah Ponder, Khalil Jacobs, Bradyn Swinson

Xavier Holmes is a possibility here as well. Swinson has really made the year two leap. He has lost weight and come to camp in great shape and it has showed on the field. Jacas is going to be a stud. I expect Elijah Ponder to replace DreMont Jones on 3^rd down.

CB (6) Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, Charles Woods, Karon Prunty, Kobee Minor, Kindle Vildor

Jun 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III (7) makes a catch during minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images — **(PHOTO: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)**

Carlton Davis Recallable IR

Davis has a hamstring injury, and we saw last year how long it took Christian Gonzalez to come back from it. This is the hardest position to predict. The first 5 are easy. I think they keep both Minor and Vildor because of the Davis injury. Davis may start the season on recallable IR. Channing Canada has size and speed. His contract is guaranteed for the amount a Practice Squad player would make if he were on the PS for the season. He could get waived and hopefully get through waivers onto the PS.

SS (2) Dell Pettus, Mike Brown

Curious the team would bring in a UDFA S in the second week of practice. Are they unhappy with Brown? Watch carefully who ends up as the personal protector for the punter. That could be a giveaway about who is getting a roster spot.

FS (2) Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson

I am a little concerned about the number of times Kevin Byard has been beat over the top in Training Camp. Has he lost a step covering the pass? Something to watch.

ST (4) Brenden Schooler, Bryce Baringer, Andy Borregales, Julian Ashby

Im not worried about Schooler’s injury. Borregales has been having a great camp in his second year. Hopefully this leads to an improved FG % and greater accuracy from distance. Reports have Baringer getting great hang times and accuracy in his directional punts.

Total Players: 53

Created with PatsPicker at PatsFans.com

Practice Squad (16) Dorner, Rupcich, Hudson, Holmes, Obiazor, Hutchins, Jennings, Montgomery, Miller, Wallace, Manuma, Saunders, Taylor, Pharms, Iton, Dixon

New Gillette field

Per Mike Reiss, a new artificial turf playing field is being installed at Gillette Stadium this week, and here are key points as to why it is happening now:

The Patriots needed to install natural grass fields for the World Cup. They tore up the existing artificial surface for the installation of grass. Once the World Cup concluded, the natural grass field required by FIFA was replaced with an artificial turf surface. According to Reiss, “The artificial turf surface installed was vetted by the Patriots and the New England Revolution and passed all NFL and MLS field tests, per chief operating officer Jim Nolan. However, the field was deemed noncompliant by the NFL.”

“The field we’re installing is the latest version of the field we took out in January,” Nolan said. “From a player perspective, it will be incredibly consistent with what they played on last year.” The Patriots host the Indianapolis Colts in the preseason opener Thursday.

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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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