Bill Belichick looks at your draft needs, throws back his head and scoffs.
His New England Patriots came out of the 2015 NFL Draft without a running back or wide receiver, and they first addressed their need at cornerback with the 247th overall pick.
Because the Patriots didn’t select a cornerback early in the draft, they’re basically right back where they started when Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner bounced in free agency.
It is admittedly way too early to try to predict who will and won’t make the Patriots’ 53-man roster, but now that we have a sense of who will be competing in organized team activities, minicamp and training camp, it seemed like a fun exercise to project how many of the team’s draft picks will make the team.
Here’s NESN.com’s first crack at a 53-man roster projection, which is probably about four months too early:
QUARTERBACK (2): Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo
Garrett Gilbert is unlikely to make the 53-man roster unless he really, really impresses in training camp.
RUNNING BACK (5): LeGarrette Blount*, Brandon Bolden, Travaris Cadet, James Develin, James White, Tyler Gaffney/Jonas Gray
LeGarrette Blount is suspended one game to start the season, so we’re listing six running backs above. Cadet makes the initial projection because he has more experience in the passing game, but Gaffney or Gray could beat him out. Blount’s suspension could open a Week 1 roster spot for Gaffney or Gray.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell, Danny Amendola, Matthew Slater, Brandon Gibson/Aaron Dobson/Brian Tyms
The Patriots could elect to keep six receivers, but there’s limited space on the 53-man roster and New England lacks top depth at the position. Gibson, Dobson and Tyms could be competing for one roster spot. Whoever grasps the Patriots’ offense best should win the role.
TIGHT END (3): Rob Gronkowski, Scott Chandler, Tim Wright/Michael Hoomanawanui
The Patriots made a savvy draft pick by selecting A.J. Derby in the sixth round, but after just one year in college at tight end, he could probably use a year on the practice squad. Wright and Hoomanawanui could be competing for one roster spot after the Patriots added Chandler over the offseason.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Nate Solder, Ryan Wendell, Bryan Stork, Tre Jackson, Sebastian Vollmer, Cameron Fleming, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon, Josh Kline/Dan Connolly
Connolly isn’t on the roster yet, but he’s a free agent, and there’s still a chance he’s re-signed by the Patriots. If Connolly is re-signed, then he probably bumps Kline off the roster.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (5): Sealver Siliga, Alan Branch, Malcom Brown, Dominique Easley, Chris Jones/Zach Moore
Moore is looking a little bigger this offseason, so we’ll stick him with the interior defensive linemen. Branch played well last season, but he could be competing for one of two roster spots with Jones and Moore.
DEFENSIVE END (5): Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Jabaal Sheard, Geneo Grissom, Trey Flowers
The Patriots added three pass rushers in the 2015 NFL Draft, but we only have two making the 53-man roster. Grissom adds versatility to play linebacker, while Flowers also can rush from the inside at defensive tackle.
LINEBACKER (6): Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Jerod Mayo, Chris White, Matt Wells, James Morris/Darius Fleming/Jonathan Freeny/Cameron Gordon
We have White making the roster because he’s a dependable presence on special teams, but he could be fighting for one of three roster spots with Wells, Morris, Fleming, Freeny and Gordon. Any backup Patriots linebacker will need to make a mark on special teams. Wells adds the most upside because of his athleticism and ability to play defensive back.
CORNERBACK (5): Kyle Arrington, Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler, Bradley Fletcher, Robert McClain/Darryl Roberts
We have McClain on the bubble alongside Roberts because of the way his contract is constructed compared to Fletcher’s. Alfonzo Dennard will need to have a very strong summer to get back in Bill Belichick’s good graces.
SAFETY (5): Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon, Jordan Richards, Tavon Wilson/Nate Ebner
Richards’ second-round selection could signal the end of Wilson or Ebner’s time in New England. Wilson offers more defensively, but Ebner is the better special-teamer.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3): Stephen Gostkowski, Ryan Allen, Joe Cardona/Tyler Ott
If Cardona isn’t cleared to play in the NFL, then the Patriots likely will sign another long snapper to compete with Ott.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
