Patriots Roster Projection 1.0: Who’s In Line To Make Team Entering Camp?

The Patriots return to Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, opening up a five-week training camp that will conclude Aug. 27.

New England will begin with 91 total players and will wrap its summer session by cutting a number of roster hopefuls to reach the 53-man limit. Who will stay? Who will go? It’s almost impossible to predict at this point in the offseason, but that won’t stop us from trying.

Let’s take a crack at it:

QUARTERBACKS (3)

In: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton III
Out: Bailey Zappe

Brissett and Maye are the most obvious choices we’ll have on this list, serving as the current and future starters at the most important position in sports. How will New England approach depth behind them? Zappe seems like the most obvious cut candidate, but despite Milton’s immeasurable arm, it probably makes sense to drop both and just add whoever clears waivers to the practice squad. We had an extra spot so we threw it at Milton.

We suspect Zappe will be sticking around no matter what happens on cut day, though.

RUNNING BACKS (3)

In: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris
Out: JaMycal Hasty, Deshaun Fenwick, Terrell Jennings

Stevenson is going to be a focal point in the offense. Gibson will be his top helper. It’s really up in the air behind him, though. Harris seems to have the inside track to that third spot, possessing experience in the system and the skillset to contribute on special teams, which will be a huge part in determining New England’s third rusher.

More Patriots

Five Patriots Players With Most To Prove During Training Camp

by Jason Ounpraseuth 4 Min Read

Five Most Intriguing Position Battles Entering Patriots Training Camp

by Sean T. McGuire 3 Min Read

WIDE RECEIVERS (7)

In: Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Reagor, Kayshon Boutte
Out: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, JaQuae Jackson, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis

Polk, Baker, Douglas, Bourne and Osborn are locks, leaving surprisingly little opportunity for others in the wideout room to earn a spot. Reagor has the fortunate distinction of being an above-average kick returner ahead of a season in which they’ll be highlighted, so New England likely keeps him around.

Boutte, Smith-Schuster and Thornton are the guys we envision fighting for that final spot, with youth and upside giving the former an advantage in the ultimate decision.

TIGHT ENDS (4)

In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, La’Michael Pettway, Jaheim Bell
Out: Jacob Warren, Mitchell Wilcox

It’s probably crazy to expect four tight ends to make the initial roster, but we had an extra spot.

Henry is the top guy, Hooper will slide into the Mike Gesicki role from last season and Pettway was the third tight end in the spring. The Patriots need at least three in Alex Van Pelt’s offense, so we give them a fourth in Bell, who has added versatility they’ll want to work with.

OFFENSIVE TACKLES (4)

In: Mike Onwenu, Chukwuma Okorafor, Caedan Wallace, Calvin Anderson
Out: Vederian Lowe, Zuri Henry, Tyrone Wheatley Jr.

It’s pretty cut and dried here. Onwenu is the right tackle. Okorafor and Wallace are expected to compete at left tackle. Anderson is the swing guy.

INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE (5)

In: David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Layden Robinson, Atonio Mafi, Nick Leverett
Out: Charles Turner, Liam Fornadel, Michael Jordan, Jake Andrews
PUP: Cole Strange

We were able to only roster four tackles due to the versatility of Mafi, who will serve as the top backup at multiple positions. David Andrews and Sow are starting, and with Strange expected to hit PUP, it will be between Leverett and Robinson for that second guard spot.

Don’t count Turner out of a spot, though. He literally does everything, and the Patriots could use a little bit of everything.

DEFENSIVE LINE (6)

In: Christian Barmore, Deatrich Wise Jr., Keion White, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Armon Watts
Out: Sam Roberts, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Trysten Hill, William Bradley-King, John Morgan, Jotham Russell

It’s all about preference with this group, as the first four guys listed are locks. Ekuale makes it for us because of his experience in the program, with Watts sticking over the likes of Roberts and Pharms.

LINEBACKERS (8)

In: Matthew Judon, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Sione Takitaki, Steele Chambers, Oshane Ximines
Out: Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris, Jontrey Hunter, Raekwon McMillan

Chambers and Ximines might seem like surprises, but they give New England added depth on the edge and off the ball, while also serving as top special teams options. You know all the other guys.

Position Breakdowns

Patriots Position Breakdown: When Will Drake Maye Take QB Job?

by Keagan Stiefel 3 Min Read

Patriots Position Breakdown: Wide Receivers Missing One Thing

by Keagan Stiefel 4 Min Read

Patriots Position Breakdown: Cornerback Group Has Makings To Be Elite

by Keagan Stiefel 4 Min Read

CORNERBACKS (6)

In: Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial Jr.
Out: Shaun Wade, Marco Wilson, Mikey Victor, Azizi Hearn, Kaleb Ford-Dement

Gonzalez and Jones (x2) are expected to be the top trio, but we believe Austin has a real opportunity to make a name for himself this season. Dial fits perfectly into the role left behind by Myles Bryant, at least on paper, while Bolden has the versatility to play in multiple spots. Wade and Wilson (Deadpool?) could easily squeeze their way into a spot.

SAFETIES (3)

In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marte Mapu
Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus

Dugger, Peppers and Mapu? That’ll work for the time being.

SPECIALISTS (4)

In: Chad Ryland (K), Bryce Baringer (P), Joe Cardona (LS), Brenden Schooler (ST)
Out: K Joey Slye

Ryland has the edge on Slye in our eyes, if not only for the fact the Patriots drafted him so high. Cardona and Schooler are fixtures, while Baringer has an opportunity to really take off in his second season.