{"id":72498,"date":"2026-07-12T05:00:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T09:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=72498"},"modified":"2026-07-11T22:06:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T02:06:52","slug":"patriots-news-07-12-pre-training-camp-53-man-roster-projection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/07\/12\/patriots-news-07-12-pre-training-camp-53-man-roster-projection\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots News 07-12, Pre-Training Camp 53-Man Roster Projection"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, and a happy Sunday to all. Here is your Patriots news for 07-12, along with this week’s NFL notes. With mid-July here, we are less than two weeks from the beginning of training camp.<\/span><\/p>\n

This year is flying by, although the next two weeks waiting for training camp will probably feel like a glacier moving slowly. But the news cycle will probably pick up soon, as we near training camp.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was going to wait another week before posting a pre-training-camp 53-man roster projection, but it was already done this week, so it is included below. This summer should be very interesting, both at camp and in preseason.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick Hitters For the Patriots and NFL News<\/b><\/h3>\n

Christian Gonzalez: <\/b>The Patriots\u2019 star cornerback was named the league\u2019s third-best by <\/span>ESPN in its<\/span> 2026 NFL cornerback rankings<\/span><\/a>. Gonzalez was listed as the #6 corner a year ago. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One opposing coach had some impressive praise for Gonzalez\u2019s skill at shutting down his offense. “He shut everything down when we played him,” the coach said. “We couldn’t squeeze a drop. He was the main reason why.”<\/span><\/p>\n

His outstanding play got even better during the postseason. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Gonzalez allowed only 14 completions on 36 targets during the playoffs. He allowed only a 38.8 percent completion rate, the lowest among defenders facing at least 25 targets in a postseason since at least 2018, per ESPN.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sean Payton\/Bill Belichick:<\/strong> ESPN’s Seth Wickersham was embedded with the Broncos during their playoff run last year, and he says Sean Payton offered to step aside as the Broncos\u2019 head coach to allow Bill Belichick to break\u00a0the all-time wins record as a head coach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam Schefter tweeted, \u201cPer @SethWickersham: When Bill Belichick and the Patriots divorced in 2024, Sean Payton considered presenting Broncos owner Greg Penner a proposal for the ages: Hire Belichick as head coach until he reached 15 wins, enough to break Don Shula’s career record of 347. Payton would temporarily step down to assistant head coach and run the offense, then move back after Belichick became the all-time leader. In the end, it was too complicated — and maybe too fanciful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It speaks volumes about the mutual respect Payton and Belichick have for one another. A shared history of coaching under Bill Parcells, and against each other. It also shows how secure Payton is with his own job. It is a pretty crazy scenario, but it speaks volumes about Payton.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having had the opportunity to talk with Payton, although years ago during a joint practice with the Saints, he was funny and pretty forthright in his comments, although because it was a training camp practice, he was obviously more open.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But he did take great delight in the look on our faces as he answered all of our questions with long, detailed answers. He chuckled and said, \u201cI guess you guys don\u2019t always get that with Bill, huh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wickersham\u2019s long piece is a fantastic read, a true peek behind the curtain of what coaches go through to prepare for championship games and the dedication required to reach the pinnacle of their profession.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jun
(PHOTO: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mac Jones: <\/b>The former Patriots\u2019 quarterback was a guest on the <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Bussin\u2019 with the Boys\u201d podcast<\/span><\/a> with Taylor Lewan and Will Compton. He specifically spoke about the nightmarish 2022 season with offensive coordinators Matt Patricia and Joe Judge and how that was the beginning of the end for him in New England.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a rookie in 2021, Jones played well and made the Pro Bowl. But then Josh McDaniels left to become the Raiders’ head coach, and that\u2019s when things went sour for Jones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat really affected me,\u201d Jones said about McDaniels\u2019 departure. \u201cI felt like if I could have built on the year before, it would have really helped me and everyone on the team.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBill (Belichick) interviewed people; I don\u2019t know- I just felt like we didn\u2019t click during OTAs, and you could kind of see it trending (down),\u201d Jones said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was just a second-year player, so I didn\u2019t really say much or do much. Brian Hoyer was the backup, and he was kind of like looking at me, trying to keep me in it, but we were like, this is not going to be good \u2026 We ended up hiring nobody. We kept it in-house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was like \u2018alright\u2019 Bill wants to take it over, good for him. He has six Super Bowls; he can do whatever he wants, right?\u201d Jones said. \u201cI\u2019ll trust it, and maybe it\u2019s good. But he took it over, and we kind of didn\u2019t know where we were going, you know?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike there were three people in the meeting, who stands up to talk to the offense? They didn\u2019t really know. Is it Joe Judge? Is it Bill? Is it Matty P? \u2026 We ended up, like, (changing) our entire offense a week before the season, and it was kind of like back to what we did in my first year, but we weren\u2019t practicing that, so it was really hard for everybody.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots No Huddle Podcast:<\/b> We were back on Thursday afternoon to talk about the latest Patriots news and preview the upcoming season, including an interview with Patriots Unfiltered’s Mike Dussault on the <\/span>PatsFans.com<\/span><\/a> website. You can always check out our other podcasts on our YouTube channel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please check it out. And be sure to like, share, and leave us a review.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Russ Francis\/Chuck Fairbanks:<\/b> The former Patriots tight end and head coach should be in the Patriots’ team Hall of Fame, and the fact that Francis isn\u2019t is an absolute travesty. Francis and the Raiders\u2019 Dave Casper changed how teams used the tight end position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We will continue to display this in our Sunday posts until it happens. Casper is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Francis\u2019 numbers stand up well against Casper\u2019s, yet he isn\u2019t even in the team\u2019s HOF.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection (Pre-Training Edition)<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Patriots addressed many of their needs in free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft, adding nine players. They\u2019ve also signed 11 UDFA players and invited a few others to the rookie minicamp tryouts.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are still some positional groups they may tinker with, depending on players’ health, how they perform (good or bad), and what the waiver wire looks like.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I do think some trades are still likely to happen before the team\u2019s first regular-season game in Seattle.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s take a look at the roster and where they stand before camp begins.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quarterbacks (2):<\/b><\/h3>\n

Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito<\/span><\/p>\n

Out: Behren Morton (practice squad PS)<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots will have three quarterbacks on the roster, but I\u2019m sticking with Morton on the practice squad for now. I don\u2019t see him getting poached off the PS at this early stage of his career. And they can use the roster slots in other positions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Running backs (4):<\/b><\/h3>\n

Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Reggie Gilliam, Jam Miller<\/span><\/p>\n

Out: Brock Lampe, Lan Larison (PS), Elijah Mitchell, Terrell Jennings, Myles Montgomery<\/span><\/p>\n

The first three names are locked in stone. However, there is an open competition here for the Patriots\u2019 No. 3 job behind Stevenson and Henderson.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Miller has the straight-line speed and the short-yardage acumen to be a serviceable change-of-pace back. They invested a pick in him, but he\u2019s far from a lock, and every snap in practice and preseason games will be important. This is wide open, but I\u2019m sticking with the kid from Alabama\u2026for now.<\/span><\/p>\n

I liked and was intrigued by Larison before he was injured last year. He makes it onto the practice squad here.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Efton
(PHOTO: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wide receivers (6):<\/b><\/h3>\n

A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chisum III<\/span><\/p>\n

Out: Kyle Dixon (PS), Jeremiah Webb, Nick DeGennaro (PS), Cameron Dorner, Jimmy Kibble, **Kayshon Boutte – Trade**<\/span><\/p>\n

With Brown and Doubs as the top two receivers, the Patriots are in unfamiliar territory, having a 1-2 duo that will be intriguing to watch. Brown should draw the most attention from opposing defenses, which should help Doubs have a big year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Could they keep seven WRs (Boutte) on the roster to guard against a possible injury? Yes, but I don\u2019t think that will happen. They\u2019ll find Boutte a place where he will have a chance to play himself into a nice payday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tight Ends (3):<\/b><\/h3>\n

Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon, Tanner Arkin\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Out: Jack Westover, CJ Dippre<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots drafted Raridon specifically for his athletic traits; he\u2019s intriguing as a prospect, with big hands and a large catch radius. He has the athleticism to become a threat, but he admittedly has a long way to go.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The loss of Julian Hill was significant, as the Patriots had planned for him to be an integral part of the offense. I think this is an area where the team will be scouring the waiver wire\/trade possibilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arkin is an intriguing player with the size (6\u20194, 265) and physicality of an inline blocker, thriving in the trenches. He wasn\u2019t able to showcase much during the spring. But the two-time Illinois captain also played some H-back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Offensive Line (9):<\/b><\/h3>\n

Will Campbell, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu, Ben Brown, Dametrious Crownover, Caedan Wallace<\/span><\/p>\n

Out: James Hudson III (PS), Mehki Butler, Lorenz Metz, Andrew Rupcich, Sebastian Gutierrez, Jacob Rizy, JonDarius Morgan **Marcus Bryant trade**<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots drafted two offensive tackles again this year, the first time that has happened in back-to-back years since the 1970s, using a first-round pick on Lomu and a sixth-round pick on Crownover.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The starting five of Campbell, Vera-Tucker, Wilson, Onwenu, and Moses is set and should be much improved this year. Lomu and Ben Brown are the top backups. Wallace can sub at tackle or at guard, and versatility will go a long way.<\/span><\/p>\n

I think Bryant could be part of a trade package for a tight end or linebacker.<\/span><\/p>\n

Defensive Line (6), Edge (5):<\/b><\/h3>\n

Defensive Line –\u00a0 Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Leonard Taylor III<\/span><\/p>\n

Edge – Harold Landry, Dre\u2019Mont Jones, Elijah Ponder, Gabe Jacas, Bradyn Swinson<\/span><\/p>\n

Out: Quintayvious Hutchins, Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (PS), Jesse Luketa, David Blay, Khalil Jacobs, Xavier Holmes, Travis Shaw<\/span><\/p>\n

The defensive line is deep with Milton Williams, Barmore, Durden, Farmer, Gregory, and Taylor. Newcomer Dre\u2019Mont Jones can slide inside as a subpackage interior rusher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But it is the edge that is most concerning with the front seven right now, given health concerns. Harold Landry had offseason knee surgery and didn\u2019t practice at all this spring. Gabe Jacas had a \u201cprocedure\u201d and didn\u2019t practice either. While he isn\u2019t signed yet, that should get addressed in short order.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jones will man one side, and in a perfect world, Landry would be the other, with the rookie Jacas competing with Ponder and Swinson for top backup reps. But if Landry and Jacas aren\u2019t ready, the edge depth is really lacking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Linebacker (4):<\/b><\/h3>\n

Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, K.J. Britt, Namdi Obiazor<\/span><\/p>\n

Out: Otis Reese, Amari Gainer, Chad Muma (PS)<\/span><\/p>\n

This is another position on the roster that could use an established veteran.\u00a0 The starters, Spillane and Elliss, are fine, but after them, there are only questions. Britt is more of an STs guy. The team drafted Obiazor, but he\u2019s perhaps too small (229 pounds) to hold up in the running game. Gainer is a dark horse to watch this summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

This will be a position to watch in the next phase of free agency and when the waiver wire gets active, as both Spillane and Elliss missed time with injuries last season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cornerbacks (6):<\/b><\/h3>\n

Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Kindle Vildor, Charles Woods, Karon Prunty<\/span><\/p>\n

Out: Kobee Minor (PS), Marcellas Dial Jr.(PS), Brandon Crossley, Channing Canada, Kenneth Harris<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots made a surprise pick of Prunty in the fifth round. He has good size at 6\u20191 and has good athleticism for the position. But the Patriots had him in for a Top-30 visit and obviously liked what they saw.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether he was a massive reach or a steal remains to be seen this summer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, and Marcus Jones give the Patriots an outstanding starting group. The #4 to #6 cornerback slots will be wide open for camp competition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Safeties (5):<\/b><\/h3>\n

Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus, Mike Brown, Brenden Schooler<\/span><\/p>\n

Out: John Saunders Jr.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots signed Kevin Byard in free agency, and he and Woodson give them an excellent 1-2 combination. Brown has the size to be an intriguing backup option along with Pettus, as Schooler is primarily an ST ace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Special Teams (3):<\/b><\/h3>\n

Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby<\/span><\/p>\n

Out: None<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots’ three specialists are not going anywhere this summer. Borregales and Ashby were solid last season. Barringer was very inconsistent, and the team may still bring in a punter as camp competition, but for now, this is the group they will go with this season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If anyone would like to take a swing at predicting the initial 53-man roster, Ian Logue has put together a nice tool, called <\/span>Pats Picker<\/span><\/a>, on the <\/span>Patsfans.com<\/span><\/a> website.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Feel free to send them in, and we\u2019ll share some of them in the near future.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

_______________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Somebody asked me what success looks like, and I said, \u2018Yeah, you can judge it by wins and losses during the season, but success for me in the offseason is going to be that the players believe in what we\u2019re doing, and they believe in the message, they believe in the teaching, and they believe in the connections that we\u2019re making<\/span><\/i>.\u2019\u201d \u2014 Mike Vrabel<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at<\/span><\/i> stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i>
\n<\/span><\/i><\/a>Listen to our<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 <\/span>PatsFans.com<\/span><\/a> Patriots No Huddle <\/span><\/i><\/a>podcasts on Apple and YouTube as Derek Havens, Mike D\u2019Abate, and I discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Previewing the Patriots’ pre-training camp 53-man roster projection, Christian Gonzalez, Sean Payton’s Belichick offer, and Mac Jones’ 2022 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