In this article, I will project a 53-man roster as we await the start of Training Camp in July.<\/p>\n
Offense <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Offensive Line <\/strong><\/p>\n This is the Number 1 problem on the Patriots team, especially at Tackle.\u00a0 I was appalled at the condition that Trent Brown<\/strong> showed up in for the mandatory Mini-Camp.\u00a0 Brown half-heartedly did his stretching \/ warm-up drills then only did one rep of a lineman drill before being whisked away by the training staff to work on his conditioning on the lower field.\u00a0 He showed up a day late because a hailstorm canceled his flight to Boston.\u00a0 Brown also did not participate in any of the off-season programs or Organized Team Activities.\u00a0 That is a pretty poor showing for the 3rd highest-paid player on the team ($12.5M).\u00a0\u00a0 His play last year was lackadaisical at best.\u00a0 Last year he appeared like he did not want to be there.\u00a0 It was his worst season as a professional with 13 penalties (worst in the league) and 8 sacks (T-5th<\/sup>).\u00a0 The players report on July 25th<\/sup> and must complete a fitness test before they are allowed on the field.\u00a0 I cannot see Brown passing that grueling run.\u00a0 One poster in the Patriots Forum even stated that Brown would be a transaction on the 26th<\/sup> announcing his retirement.\u00a0 The Patriots should cut bait with him and release him before the conditioning test.\u00a0 Don\u2019t allow him to pull up with an injury and lock the Patriots into that salary for the year.\u00a0 Make the cut and use the savings ($10) toward signing Free Agents DeAndre Hopkins and Dalvin Cook.<\/p>\n The other two veteran Tackles signed this offseason, Reilly Reiff and Calvin Alexander, were having difficulty handling Matt Judon and Josh Uche in the open media practices.\u00a0 Granted, Judon and Uche gave a lot of NFL Tackles problems last season with 17 and 12 sacks respectively.\u00a0 This doesn\u2019t give me a lot of confidence.\u00a0 Journeyman Connor McDermott finished last season as the starting RT.\u00a0 Rookie 4th<\/sup> round pick (#117 overall) Sidy Sow is being given a look at Right Tackle.<\/p>\n The guard position will be manned by second-year starter Cole Strange.\u00a0 Many felt that Strange was a reach as a 1st<\/sup> round pick last year, and he struggled to start the season.\u00a0 Strange improved as the season progressed and I expect a continuation of that upward progression.\u00a0 Michael Owenu is recovering from off-season ankle surgery and didn\u2019t participate in any off-season activities.\u00a0 This is a contract year for Owenu and he is in line for a big raise.\u00a0 Owenu is clearly the best offensive lineman the Patriots have.<\/p>\n In 2023 the Patriots drafted three interior offensive linemen.\u00a0 Center Jake Andrews was taken in the 4th<\/sup> round (# 107 overall) and is a bigger than usual (327 lbs) Center for the Patriots.\u00a0 He is expected to make the team and serve as a backup to David Andrews while gaining experience in the Pro game.\u00a0 The third O-lineman drafted is Antonio Mafi.\u00a0 He saw some playing time with the first unit during the OTAs.\u00a0 Mafi was a 5th-round pick (#144 overall).\u00a0 Another bigger-than-usual interior lineman at 339 lbs.\u00a0 He was recruited to play at UCLA as a Nose Tackle and played there for two years, starting for the Bruins as a true freshman.\u00a0 He weighed 401 lbs when he entered UCLA.\u00a0 In 2021 he switched to offense and started all 13 games in 2022. \u00a0Patriots O-line coach Adrian Klemm has quite the project to work with in Mafi.\u00a0 He only has two years of experience and managed to make the 2nd<\/sup> team All-Pac 10 in 2022.<\/p>\n 2021 Draft picks Andrew Stueber (OT), Chase Hines (G), and Kody Russey (C) are long shots to make the roster.\u00a0 Veteran James Ferentz may be coming to the end of the line in his career.\u00a0 He just turned 34 and is undersized (6\u20192\u201d 300 lbs).\u00a0 He has been on the Patriots fringe roster for years now and we thank him for his service but this may be it for the journeyman player.<\/p>\n C\u00a0 (2) J.Andrews, D.Andrews<\/p>\n G\u00a0 (4) M.Onwenu, C.Strange, A.Mafi, S.Sow<\/p>\n T\u00a0 (3) R.Reiff, C.McDermott, C.Anderson<\/p>\n Lots of questions about the line that will be worked out during training camp.\u00a0 This is the number one question mark heading into Training Camp.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Quarterback <\/strong><\/p>\n Mac Jones<\/strong> appears to be very comfortable in Bill O\u2019Brien\u2019s offensive system that has taken elements from his Alabama days.\u00a0 That gives Jones a leg up on Bailey Zappe<\/strong> because he is unfamiliar with that system.\u00a0\u00a0 By all reports from the limited time reporters saw the players practice, Jones completed nearly 80% of his passes while the players were in shorts.\u00a0 Jones appeared confident and loose during the practices, re-gaining some of that swagger he had in his rookie season.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Zappe wasn\u2019t as accurate but he will be an adequate backup.\u00a0 There is no quarterback competition.\u00a0 It\u2019s Mac Jones’s job.\u00a0 The concern will be if the Offensive line can give them time to pass or keep them injury free!\u00a0 Trace McSorley experienced a lot of difficulty with the 3rd<\/sup> team players and is destined for the Practice Squad.<\/p>\n QB (2) M.Jones, B.Zappe<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Running Back<\/strong><\/p>\n The big story coming out of spring practice in the backfield is the release of Running Back James Robinson<\/strong>. \u00a0Robinson was trying to complete a comeback from a torn Achilles he suffered in 2020 while playing for Jacksonville.\u00a0 It just wasn\u2019t happening.\u00a0 The Patriots had several Out clauses in the contract because of Robinson\u2019s injury history.\u00a0\u00a0 Rhamondre Stevenson<\/strong> has looked like a top 6 Running Back in the league (if the line can block).\u00a0 He was also targeted 88 times out of the backfield last season.\u00a0 I expect the number of touches will go down.\u00a0 His 270 overall touches were due to Damien Harris and Ty Montgomery\u2019s<\/strong> injuries. \u00a0Montgomery looked great in the spring (as he did last year before he got hurt).\u00a0 Expect Montgomery to steal some of those 3rd<\/sup> down catches from Stevenson and contribute at WR as well.\u00a0 Second-year player Kevin Harris<\/strong> will serve as the big back when short yardage is required.\u00a0 His fellow second-year player Pierre Strong<\/strong> should be the back that spells Stevenson.\u00a0 I anticipate that Stevenson\u2019s workload will be reduced.\u00a0\u00a0 Rumors have run rampant that the Patriots were interested in Free Agent Dalvin Cook as a package with DeAndre Hopkins.\u00a0 Leonard Fournette and Kareem Hunt are also available.\u00a0 Looks like this will be the end of the line for undersized JJ Taylor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n RB (4) P.Strong, T.Montgomery, K.Harris, R.Stevenson<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tight End <\/strong><\/p>\n Bill O\u2019Brien\u2019s two Tight End offense will rely on heavy contributions from Hunter Henry<\/strong> and Mike Gesicki<\/strong>.\u00a0 All Spring these two have been Mac Jones’s favorite targets.\u00a0\u00a0 The 12 formation where both are on the field at the same time is a favorite of O\u2019Brien.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Back when Obrien was first here in New England he had Gronk and Hernandez as his dynamic duo.\u00a0 I would not be surprised if the Patriots keep three TEs because of the reliance on the two-TE system.\u00a0 Yes, they can recall someone from the Practice Squad on an emergency basis, but I think the position is too valuable to take the risk of losing a player from poaching the Practice Squad.\u00a0 Scotty Washington<\/strong> is a former WR turned TE.\u00a0 The big (6\u20195\u201d) target runs an estimated 4.6 40-yard dash.\u00a0 Anthony Frisker<\/strong> is a six-year veteran TE the Patriots signed as a Free Agent.\u00a0 He played for Atlanta last season.\u00a0 The Harvard grad played for the Jets, Chiefs, and Titans.\u00a0 A bit on the shorter size, he stands only 6\u20192\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 Either of these players will make the team.\u00a0 Matt Sokol<\/strong> and Undrafted player Johnny Lumpkin<\/strong> are candidates for the Practice Squad.\u00a0 Both players are more traditional, in-line blocking TEs.<\/p>\n TE (3) H.Henry, S.Washington, M.Gesicki<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wide Receiver <\/strong><\/p>\n With the extension of DeVante Parker<\/strong> it would appear that his position as the number one receiver seems safe.\u00a0 Parker was clearly uncomfortable with questions about Deandre Hopkins possibly signing with the Patriots.\u00a0 The extension was a way to calm Parker while gaining some Salary Cap space.\u00a0 Reports are that the final year is not guaranteed and that nearly half of the reported $33 million is tied up in incentives. Mike Reiss reported that half the contract value is roster bonuses and incentives.\u00a0 Miguel Benzan reports his deal has $14M guaranteed with tiered incentives up to $33M.\u00a0 $11M in new money.\u00a0 This also includes a $4.6M in signing bonus.\u00a0 The Patriots are still the favorite to sign Hopkins, but nothing is certain there until he decides who he wants to play for.\u00a0 I would love to see Kendrick Bourne <\/strong>get a larger role with the offense.\u00a0 He is a player that can get open and run after the catch.\u00a0 Tyquan Thornton<\/strong> appears to have put on some weight, but I am afraid he is always going to be a slight player.\u00a0 He was hurt on the first big hit he took as a rookie and missed time this spring due to a leg injury.\u00a0 Juju Smith-Schuster<\/strong> was signed as a replacement for leading pass catcher Jakobi Meyers.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t participate much in off-season practices due to a lingering knee injury.\u00a0 Rookie draft picks Demario Douglas<\/strong> and Kayson Boutte<\/strong> along with longshot Un-Drafted Free Agent (UDFA), former Louisville QB Malik Cunningham<\/strong> will fight for what is the final roster spot if Hopkins doesn\u2019t sign here.\u00a0 Cunningham is hoping to make the transition to WR the same as Julian Edelman.\u00a0 All three will be candidates for the Practice Squad.\u00a0 Tre Nixon<\/strong>, Ed Lee,<\/strong> and Raleigh Webb<\/strong> are just camp fodder \/ Practice Squad candidates.\u00a0 Webb has special teams value, but there are a lot of those types of players on the team.\u00a0 With the rules changes put in place by the league, there is a de-emphasis throughout the league on Special Teams only type of players.<\/p>\n WR (5) D.Parker, J.Smith-Schuster, T.Thornton, D.Douglas, K.Bourne<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Defense <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Defensive Line <\/strong><\/p>\n Lawrence Guy<\/strong> held himself out of off-season workouts and the mandatory mini-camp over what was described as a contract holdout.\u00a0 Guy is a 33-year-old DT. \u00a0In my first mock draft, I didn\u2019t have Guy making the team because of his age.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think he has done himself any favors by holding out.<\/p>\n Davon Godchaux<\/strong> had a solid year at Nose Tackle and Bill Belichick lauded his performance.\u00a0 I am excited to see what rookie Keion White<\/strong> can do at DT in the 3-4 alignment.\u00a0 Spring practice without pads won\u2019t show much, but once the pads are on I expect big things from him.\u00a0 Deatrich Wise<\/strong> is a leader on the team and for the De-line.\u00a0 Last season was the best of his career with the Pats.\u00a0 Carl Davis<\/strong> and Daniel Ekuale<\/strong> were solid contributors last year.\u00a0 Ekuale had a knack of putting pressure on the QB and Davis and his size were a rock in short-yardage situations and spelling Godchaux.\u00a0 Christian Barmore<\/strong> fought injuries all season and we didn\u2019t see as much of a progression as we expected.\u00a0 That doesn\u2019t mean that he won\u2019t shine this year.\u00a0 Looking forward to what he can bring.\u00a0\u00a0 Sam Roberts<\/strong> made the team out of camp but there doesn\u2019t seem to be a place for him on the team, barring injuries.\u00a0 He is a candidate for the Practice Squad.\u00a0 Jeremiah Pharms<\/strong> was a mid-season replacement and provided a big body.\u00a0 Not much chance of him making the team.\u00a0 Justus Tavai<\/strong> is an undersized rookie DT and is pretty much a camp body.<\/p>\n DE (2) D.Wise, K.White<\/p>\n DT (4) C.Barmore, C.Davis, D.Ekuale, D.Godchaux<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Linebacker \/ Edge <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You start the linebacker position with Matt Judon<\/strong>.\u00a0 The 4 x Pro Bowl player is the highest-paid player on the Patriots and clearly a team leader.\u00a0 Judon is also very good with the media and in trying to recruit other Free Agents to sign with the Patriots.\u00a0\u00a0 Last season he didn\u2019t have the fall-off he did the year before.\u00a0 He finished with 15.5 sacks, his career high.\u00a0 His running mate Josh Uche<\/strong> had his career-best with 11.5 sacks.\u00a0 It was interesting that Uche had more sacks on pure pass rush than Judon, who relied on blitz schemes more.\u00a0 I will add that Uche rarely faced double teams or chips from the TE or RB as Judon did.\u00a0 It will be interesting to see if Uche gets more playing time rather than a pass-rush specialist.\u00a0 JuWhuan Bentley<\/strong> received a well-deserved contract extension.\u00a0 A team captain, Bentley is the rock in the middle of the defense.\u00a0 He is not the fastest and is more like an old-school middle linebacker.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t cover well.\u00a0 But as a downhill, run-stuffing defender there are few like him.\u00a0\u00a0 Anfernee Jennings<\/strong> showed flashes of ability last year and with the lack of depth at Linebacker I think he will stay.\u00a0 Rookie third-round pick Marte Mapu<\/strong> was a surprise.\u00a0 Since I do a lot of research on the draft, I knew of Mapu and that he was rising up draft boards.\u00a0 However, I was as surprised as any that he was taken in the 3rd<\/sup> round.\u00a0 When he was taken the Patriots called him a LB.\u00a0 He played a similar position to what Kyle Dugger plays (LB Hybrid Safety).\u00a0 All spring he was running with the 1st<\/sup> team at both positions despite wearing a red non-contact jersey.\u00a0 He has surprised the coaches with his grasp of the defense as well as his ability.\u00a0 \u00a0I expect big things from him this year\u00a0\u00a0 Jahlani Tavai<\/strong> was a 2nd<\/sup> round pick of the Detroit Lions, who let him go at the cut-down date in 2021.\u00a0 The Patriots signed him to the Practice Squad and eventually elevated him to the 53-man roster.\u00a0 He has been a staple on Special Teams as well as a serviceable backup linebacker.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0He is the older brother of Justus Tavai.\u00a0 Chris Board<\/strong> was signed as a Special Teams ace.\u00a0 \u00a0Calvin Munson, Mack Wilson, Olakunle Fatukasi, Terez Hall are camp bodies.\u00a0 Jourdan Heilig<\/strong> is a UDFA from Appalachian State and worked extensively with Matt Slater this spring as a gunner on special teams.\u00a0 It will be interesting to see how he has progressed. \u00a0He never worked out for Pro Scouts and with another year of college eligibility available applied for the transfer portal.\u00a0 He received no offers but was contacted by Patriots scouts to sign as a UDFA. \u00a0Raekwon McMillan<\/strong> tore his ACL in Spring practice and is on IR for the year.<\/p>\n ILB(4) J.Bentley, M.Mapu, C.Board, J.Tavai<\/p>\n OLB(3) M.Judon, J.Uche, A.Jennings<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cornerback <\/strong><\/p>\n The arrest of second-year Cornerback Jack Jones<\/strong> may have thrown a monkey wrench into the Patriots’ defense\u2019s plans for the 2023 season.\u00a0 J. Jones played outstanding during Spring practices and was all around the ball according to media reports.\u00a0 He was playing as the starting Right Cornerback.\u00a0 He has a probable cause hearing on August 18th<\/sup>, the day before the Green Bay pre-season game.\u00a0\u00a0 First-round selection, Christian Gonzalez<\/strong> was a steal in the draft, after trading with Pittsburgh, at number 17.\u00a0 He is the big corner the team has been looking for and is just 21, the 3rd<\/sup> youngest player in this past draft.\u00a0 Reports are that he has looked as fluid and athletic as advertised.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After re-signing with the Patriots, Jonathan Jones<\/strong> has been freed up to play the slot corner.\u00a0 Marcus Jones<\/strong> looked special as the All-Pro Punt Returner.\u00a0\u00a0 The Patriots drafted two Special Teams cornerbacks Ameer Speed<\/strong> and Isaiah Bolden<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0 Bolden was the only player that played at a Historically Black College or University.\u00a0 With some practice, Bolden may have the ability to play CB in the league.\u00a0 Both players are very athletic with outstanding 4.3 speed.\u00a0 Myles Bryant<\/strong> seems to be a favorite of fans to be cut every year.\u00a0 He is not the biggest player and that works against him, but he is a valuable member of the secondary and can play safety if needed.\u00a0\u00a0 I think this may be the end of the Shaun Wade<\/strong> experiment, depending upon the Jack Jones outcome.\u00a0\u00a0 The Patriots traded a 7th<\/sup> and 5th<\/sup> for Wade but the former All-American has never really worked out.<\/p>\n Quandre Mosely<\/strong>, Tae Hayes<\/strong>, and Rodney Randle<\/strong> would be candidates for the Practice Squad.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think Wade would re-sign with the Patriots if cut.<\/p>\n CB (7) C.Gonzalez, Ma.Jones, Ja.Jones, M.Bryant, I.Bolden, A.Speed, Jon.Jones<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Safety <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Adrian Phillips<\/strong> has been terrific since the day the Patriots signed him.\u00a0 He will continue to move about the defense causing confusion amongst opposing QBs.\u00a0 He plays the run as well as any LB in the league.\u00a0 Jabari Peppers<\/strong> was a big surprise coming off ACL surgery the year before.\u00a0 He saw his playing time increase as the season wore on and ended up playing over 50% of the plays.\u00a0 The hard-hitting safety re-signed with the Patriots despite the crowded secondary.\u00a0 Kyle Dugger<\/strong> was my binky in the 2020 draft.\u00a0 I was hoping that Bill Belichick would trade out of the 1st<\/sup> round and take Dugger early in the 2nd<\/sup>.\u00a0 That was quite an unusual move for Belichick since Dugger played at D II Lenoir-Rhymes.\u00a0 Dugger has the size of an LB and can play all over the field.\u00a0 Would love to see the Patriots extend Dugger before he enters Free Agency next year.\u00a0 Jalen Mills<\/strong> has been moved to Free Safety.\u00a0 I have some concerns about his ability to play this position because of his lack of speed.<\/p>\n SS (3) K.Dugger, A.Phillips, J.Bledsoe<\/p>\n FS (3) J.Peppers, J.Mills<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Special Teams <\/strong><\/p>\n Looks like this will be a transition year for the Special Teams.\u00a0 Chad Ryland<\/strong> was taken in the 4th<\/sup> round and he will replace reliable but old placekicker Nick Folk.\u00a0 Punter Bryce Baringer<\/strong> showed off a big leg when punting this spring.\u00a0 His hang times were spectacular.\u00a0 Joe Cardona<\/strong> returns as the long-snapper with Matt Slater<\/strong> returning for his 16th<\/sup> season and 2nd-year\u00a0player Brendan Schooler<\/strong> returns as the personnel protector.\u00a0 Schooler was leading the team in Special Teams tackles before he was hurt.\u00a0 Cody Davis is coming back from knee surgery and since he is over 30 I expect that it will be difficult for him to make the team.<\/p>\n ST (5) C.Ryland, B.Baringer, J.Cardona, M.Slater, B.Schooler<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Total players: 53<\/p>\n Created with Pats Picker: http:\/\/patsfans.com\/patspicker<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n