This is my final Roster projection ahead of the 4:00 deadline today.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
2021 Final 53 Man Roster Projection<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0Roster \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Total\u00a0\u00a0 53\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8\/30\/2021<\/strong><\/p>\n Offense 23<\/strong><\/p>\n QUARTERBACK (2) <\/strong>Cam Newton, Mac Jones<\/p>\n Jones played well enough, demonstrated his understanding of the playbook, and showed the poise needed to be a starter.\u00a0 So much so, the Patriots can afford to go with just two QBs.\u00a0 Looking back at Tom Brady’s rookie season, he never showed the same poise in pre-season games or joint practices that Jones has.\u00a0 Granted, Brady didn’t get the opportunity Jones has had.\u00a0 In 2000, Brady was the 4th string QB on the opening roster behind Drew Bledsoe.\u00a0 Could the fact that Newton is not vaccinated be the deciding factor on who starts? \u00a0This was Newton\u2019s job as the starter.\u00a0 He earned it.\u00a0 However, can the Patriots run the risk that Newton will get sick again with COVID and not only miss time but become half the players he was after getting sick, just like last season?\u00a0 Hoyer\u2019s contract is guaranteed, whether he is on the active roster, Practice Squad, or cut.\u00a0 The Patriots are allowed two veteran players on the PS and would like to keep Hoyer around as an emergency QB, mentor to Jones, and scout team QB.\u00a0 This will be the beginning of Hoyer’s next career as he has coach written all over him.\u00a0 He has also permanently moved to the Boston area.<\/p>\n Stidham IR, Hoyer PS<\/p>\n RUNNING BACK (4) <\/strong>\u00a0 JJ Taylor, Damien Harris, James White, Rhamondre Stevenson,<\/p>\n Brandon Bolden will get cut, and despite being 31 yo, he will stick around and be added back to the roster due to his Special Teams play.\u00a0 Someone will go on IR and Bolden re-signed.\u00a0 Bolden is a veteran and therefore does not have to pass through waivers.\u00a0 He becomes a Free Agent and will wait to be re-signed.\u00a0 White can play WR if needed and that will save another spot there until they can get someone else on IR.\u00a0 Stevenson\u2019s development has been remarkable.\u00a0 He has gone from needing to improve on \u201cEverything\u201d to a viable option if needed to play.\u00a0 I originally had Michel traded.\u00a0 He played well last year but the emergence of Rhamondre Stevenson made Michel expendable.<\/p>\n FULLBACK (0<\/strong>) None<\/p>\n When the Patriots signed the double-headed monster of Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry it made the fullback position obsolete. Johnson will be cut and signed to the PS. \u00a0They will not keep his International Player exemption so that he could be activated if needed.<\/p>\n Jakub Johnson PS<\/p>\n WIDE RECEIVER (4) <\/strong>Jakobi Myers, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, N\u2019Keal Harry (to IR after 53 is established)<\/p>\n Harry is an enigma.\u00a0 He has played well in practice (Red Zone) but that hasn\u2019t translated to the pre-season games.\u00a0 He was only targeted once in the first game and twice in the 2nd <\/sup>before getting hurt.\u00a0 He should have caught the long pass in stride at the end of the 1st<\/sup> half.\u00a0 Instead, he dives, doesn\u2019t make the catch, and injures his shoulder.\u00a0 He can\u2019t be traded now.\u00a0 I think he makes the 53, then goes on IR (recall) and Bolden gets added back to the team. \u00a0Another thing going for Harry is the new mantra of coaches Mick Lombardi and Troy Brown, \u201cIf you don\u2019t block, you\u2019re not getting the rock\u201d.\u00a0 Harry is a very good blocker that can be used for a team that will predominantly run the ball.\u00a0 Gunner Olszewski hasn\u2019t progressed as a receiver as I had hoped.\u00a0 He drops too many passes.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think his Punt Return prowess will be enough to keep him on the roster.\u00a0 Taylor was the return man against NYG.<\/p>\n Kristian Wilkerson blew his opportunity to make the team by developing a case of the dropsies. \u00a0\u00a0He had a great game against the Giants but it won\u2019t be enough. \u00a0He is eligible for the Practice Squad, but I don\u2019t think he will take another turn with the Patriots.\u00a0 Tre Nixon played in the last pre-season game but hasn\u2019t shown much but would probably go to the PS because he was a draft choice.\u00a0 Isaiah Zuber played well against NYG with a TD on 4 catches in 5 targets.\u00a0 I was impressed with his downfield blocking. \u00a0Don\u2019t be surprised if the Pats make a trade or waiver claim on a WR.<\/p>\n Nixon and Zuber to PS<\/p>\n TIGHT END (4)<\/strong> Jonnu Smith, Devin Asiasi, Hunter Henry, Matt LaCosse<\/p>\n Matt LaCrosse was supposed to be the starter until COVID hit and he chose to sit out.\u00a0 By all indications, he has had a fine camp until getting lit up in the Philadelphia joint practice (concussion). \u00a0With so much emphasis on 2 TE sets, I think they carry 4.\u00a0 Asiasi could be the fullback if needed. Dalton Keene has gone to IR and cannot be recalled all year.\u00a0 They must think a lot of the former 3rd<\/sup> round draft choice to keep him on the roster all year.\u00a0 LaCosse could be a post 53 man roster IR.<\/p>\n OFFENSIVE LINE (9)<\/strong>, Michael Owenu, Shaq Mason, Justin Herron, Isaiah Wynn, Trent Brown, Ted Karras, David Andrews, Yodny Cajuste, Alex Redmond.<\/p>\n I just don\u2019t think Sherman is big enough for Tackle.\u00a0 Will Sherman, Korey Cunningham, and Ferentz are cut.\u00a0 Ferentz and Sherman are brought back via PS. \u00a0Cajuste was awesome against Philly and solidified a spot.\u00a0 Marcus Martin played well but he went to IR to get down to 80.\u00a0 Ferentz was an ironman in the 1st<\/sup> Pre-season game and is awarded one of the two veteran spots on the PS.\u00a0 Redmond is a nasty run blocker and his NFL experience with the Bengals (24 starts ar RG) goes a long way to him making the team.<\/p>\n IR Marcus Martin,<\/p>\n Defense 25<\/strong><\/p>\n DEFENSIVE TACKLE (6)<\/strong>, Davon Godchaux, Henry Anderson, Carl Davis, Lawrence Guy, Christian Barmore, Detrick Wise,<\/p>\n Montavious Adams played a lot vs NYG and Davis didn\u2019t.\u00a0 Usually, if you don\u2019t play, you have made the team.\u00a0 Byron Cowart, Akeem Spence, Bill Murray, Nick Thurman, and Adams are cut with Murray, Thurman, and Spence coming back via the PS.\u00a0 Davis has a history of concussions.\u00a0 Look for the Patriots to trade some of their D-Line depth before the cut-down deadline of 4:00 Tuesday.\u00a0 This per Albert Breer, SI MMQB.\u00a0 Cowart won’t make it through waivers.<\/p>\n EDGE (4) <\/strong>Josh Uche, Matt Judon, Chase Winowich, Ronnie Perkins<\/p>\n Cut Tashon Bowers, PS.<\/p>\n LINEBACKER (3) <\/strong>\u00a0 Donta Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, J\u2019Whaun Bentley<\/p>\n This is a really good group of linebackers.\u00a0 Hall is on PUP and can be moved to Reserve PUP and out a minimum of 6 weeks.\u00a0 Anfernee Jennings ends up on IR.\u00a0 I think Langi is cut and comes back after someone goes on IR.\u00a0 McMillan was having a terrific camp and would have made the team as a Special Teams player.\u00a0 McMillan is on IR.\u00a0 McGrone was drafted knowing he was hurt and would need a red-shirt year on IR.<\/p>\n IR Cameron McGrone, Raekwon McMillan<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CORNERBACK (7)\u00a0 <\/strong>Stephon Gilmore, JC Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Justin Bethel, Jalen Mills, Shaun Wade, DeAngelo Ross.<\/p>\n Gilmore goes on IR after making the original 53.\u00a0 Bethel had a good camp at CB, a position he has not really played well in his career.\u00a0 He had a big pass breakup that led to an interception against Philly.\u00a0 Jojuan Williams has been a huge disappointment and looked awful against NYG.\u00a0 Time to cut Williams, another failed 2nd<\/sup> round DB drafted by Belichick.\u00a0 Cut Dee Virgin, Michael Jackson, and All are eligible for PS<\/p>\n SAFETY (5) <\/strong>Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger, Cody Davis, Myles Bryant<\/p>\n Joshua Bledsoe is on NFI, Adrian Colbert will be is cut.\u00a0 Myles Bryant should go to IR.\u00a0 Bryant\u2019s size is working against him.\u00a0 Phillips played the Big Nickel LB which is why I only go with three true LBs.<\/p>\n Special Teams (5)<\/strong><\/p>\n K <\/strong>\u00a0Nick Folk (1),\u00a0 \u00a0P<\/strong> Jake Bailey(1), LS <\/strong>Joe Cardona (1), Matthew Slater, Brandon King (2)<\/p>\n Quinn Norbin is cut.\u00a0 Norbin has a big leg but is inconsistent.\u00a0 King is another veteran ST player that is well respected by his teammates.\u00a0 Bailey is an All-Pro, Cardona is solid and Slater may someday end up in the hall of fame.\u00a0 Norbin if he shows anything could be kept on PS<\/p>\n Practice Squad<\/strong> \u2013 Hoyer and Ferentz are the two veteran slots.\u00a0 Zuber, Nixon, J. Johnson (without exemption) Sherman, Murray, Bowers, M. Jackson, Colbert, Nordin \u2026 look for 5 more to be added from other teams after Sept 1 to reach the 16 man Practice Squad limit.\u00a0 The Patriots are known for overpaying their Practice Squad players to keep their loyalty and prevent other teams from poaching them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This is my final Roster projection ahead of the 4:00 deadline today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":37607,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_pfeai_meta_description":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news"],"yoast_head":"\n