If this 53-man roster holds up (it won't), there would be 11 players on the team who weren't with the organization in 2010.
Check back every Friday to see a new edition of the Patriots roster prediction.
Quarterbacks (3)
Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
Note: If Hoyer and Mallett keep playing like they did against Jacksonville, the Patriots are going to receive a bunch of calls about trades.
Running Backs (5)
Kevin Faulk, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead
Note: There will be a great battle between Green-Ellis and Vereen for starting-caliber carries. Fantasy football managers will have nightmares over this one.
Wide Receivers (7)
Deion Branch, Julian Edelman, Chad Ochocinco, Taylor Price, Brandon Tate, Wes Welker, Matthew Slater
Note: Slater has shown his special teams value in practice and again during Thursday's game, so he's back on the 53-man roster.
Tight Ends (3)
Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Lee Smith
Note: Gronkowski has been the best offensive player in camp, and Hernandez just had a very strong week. This group will be dangerous again.
Offensive Linemen (9)
Dan Connolly, Dan Koppen, Matt Light, Steve Maneri, Logan Mankins, Rich Ohrnberger, Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Ryan Wendell
Note: Maneri has had an impressive week and replaced Mark LeVoir in this edition. However, LeVoir has worked at right guard due to recent injuries to Wendell and Connolly. If Wendell's injury is serious, LeVoir would be back in.
Defensive Linemen (7)
Mark Anderson, Andre Carter, Shaun Ellis, Albert Haynesworth, Kyle Love, Vince Wilfork, Mike Wright
Note: Gerard Warren was the last player off the roster, and I've got Love beating him out for that spot. I don't have Ron Brace on the 53-man roster, either, but I'd expect him to wind up on the injured reserve or the physically-unable-to-perform list. I wouldn't be surprised to see Myron Pryor and Brandon Deaderick draw the same fate. If Wright or Ellis aren't healthy enough to start the season, Warren will be on the roster.
Linebackers (7)
Jermaine Cunningham, Dane Fletcher, Gary Guyton, Jerod Mayo, Rob Ninkovich, Brandon Spikes, Tracy White
Note: Markell Carter drops off the roster this week. The sixth-rounder hasn't done much to stick out yet. This was also a great week for Fletcher, who drew tons of praise from Bill Belichick on Friday.
Cornerbacks (5)
Kyle Arrington, Leigh Bodden, Darius Butler, Ras-I Dowling, Devin McCourty
Note: Butler had a tough night against the Jaguars, but Jonathan Wilhite wasn't stellar, either. Malcolm Williams could be a surprising charge if the door remains open.
Safeties (4)
Sergio Brown, Patrick Chung, Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders
Note: Brown has made some nice strides this summer and should expect more playing time in his second season.
Specialists (3)
Kicker Stephen Gostkowski, long snapper Matt Katula, punter Zoltan Mesko
Note: Gostkowski looked strong in the preseason opener, and he should be ready for kickoff duty in time for the regular season. There's just no way Belichick would be OK with carrying two kickers.
On the Bubble (18)
Offensive lineman Thomas Austin, defensive lineman Ron Brace, offensive lineman Marcus Cannon, outside linebacker/defensive end Markell Carter, defensive lineman Landon Cohen, defensive end Brandon Deaderick, wide receiver Darnell Jenkins, Mark LeVoir, safety Bret Lockett, defensive end Eric Moore, running back Sammy Morris, linebacker Marques Murrell, defensive tackle Myron Pryor, defensive lineman Darryl Richard, linebacker Jeff Tarpinian, defensive lineman Gerard Warren, cornerback Jonathan Wilhite, cornerback Malcolm Williams
Note: This is a pretty heavy list of candidates to make the team. Cannon will remain with the team on an injured list.
A Little Further Away (6)
Safety Josh Barrett, tight end Carson Butler, kicker Chris Koepplin, defensive lineman Aaron Lavarias, defensive lineman Kade Weston, tight end Will Yeatman
Note: Lavarias and Yeatman are candidates to move up to the "On the Bubble" category.
Long Shots (13)
Wide receiver Tyree Barnes, offensive lineman Jonathan Compas, defensive end Christian Cox, wide receiver Buddy Farnham, running back Eric Kettani, running back Richard Medlin, offensive lineman Chris Morris, defensive end Clay Nurse, wide receiver Jeremy Ross, defensive end Alex Silvestro, offensive lineman Mark Wetterer, defensive lineman Steve Williams, offensive lineman Corey Woods
Note: Medlin scored a touchdown on the first carry of his professional life. Good start for him in Thursday's preseason opener.
