Patriots Roster Projection 3.0: Who Replaces Matthew Judon?

The Patriots fell to the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, but the final score was far from the top storyline of the day.

New England officially traded Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the afternoon. Drake Maye got his first extended look at running the offense. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo finally made an admission about one of his worst units.

It was a busy day down at One Patriot Place. How did it impact the decisions that will be made once New England is tasked with reaching the 53-man limit on Aug. 27? Let’s reset the roster and see:

QUARTERBACKS (3)

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

Brissett, Maye and Milton have all earned their place on the roster, with the former two having a “Master Lock” quality hold on their spots. Milton continues to show flashes, though Thursday was a solid example of just how raw he is.

Zappe still finds himself on the outside looking in. New England doesn’t have space for a fourth-stringer, and there should be a level of comfort in Maye if he were to ever be thrown into the fire.

RUNNING BACKS (3)

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

Stevenson and Gibson have each looked great in limited action this preseason, but it has been Harris who has impressed most.

The Patriots never really asked the 23-year-old to play special teams during his first couple of seasons, but he’s picked it up tremendously in his third summer. It looks as though he’s ready to contribute every week, whether it be as a fill-in rusher or in the third phase.

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WIDE RECEIVERS (6)

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

Boutte jumps Thornton this week, not only because the 22-year-old is convinced he’ll make the team, but for having shown a steadiness against the Eagles that we hadn’t seen until then. Mayo and Brissett both threw some love in his direction following the game, noting his progression is what has been most impressive.

The Patriots should be looking for progression, and in the case of Boutte vs. Thornton, there isn’t much of a question as to who has shown more.

TIGHT ENDS (3)

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

Henry and Hooper will be a solid tandem, but New England quite literally needs a third tight end in Alex Van Pelt’s offense. Is that guy already in the building, though? Wilcox and Bell seem to be battling it out, but the second a veteran replacement becomes available, the Patriots should pounce.

Wilcox has been our choice, so we’ll leave him there as a placeholder.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

In: Mike Onwenu, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Chukwuma Okorafor, Nick Leverett, Calvin Anderson, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson
Out: Atonio Mafi, Michael Jordan, Kellen Diesch, Liam Fornadel, Charles Turner III, Zuri Henry
IR/PUP: Cole Strange, Jake Andrews

We haven’t made any changes to this list in three weeks. The Patriots have nine healthy offensive linemen worthy of an NFL roster spot, and we see all of them sticking around until Strange gets healthy.

New England needs to make some upgrades if it hopes to keep Brissett and Maye upright.

DEFENSIVE LINE (7)

In: Keion White, Deatrich Wise Jr., Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Armon Watts, Mike Purcell, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Out: Sam Roberts, Trysten Hill, William Bradley-King, Jotham Russell, Josiah Bronson
IR/PUP: Christian Barmore

Purcell and Watts are closer to the roster bubble than some might think, but with Barmore out indefinitely it only makes sense for New England to stack that room full of warm bodies. The Patriots like to rotate, and having seven versatile pieces will be huge for defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington.

LINEBACKERS (7)

In: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Joshua Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Oshane Ximines, Raekwon McMillan, Christian Elliss
Out: Joe Giles-Harris, Steele Chambers
IR/PUP: Sione Takitaki

Who replaces Judon?

Elliss is our choice here, and while that might sound ludicrous, let us explain. Jennings and Uche will combine to fill that role on a down-to-down basis, but we think the Patriots will increase the number of snaps on the edge for Tavai — who filled in admirably last season. Elliss and McMillan will both play alongside Bentley until Takitaki is healthy.

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CORNERBACKS (7)

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

No changes for this group. Wade might have a case over Dial if he weren’t injured, but for now, it’s the rookie’s job to lose.

SAFETIES (5)

In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler, Dell Pettus
Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, A.J. Thomas
IR/PUP: Marte Mapu

Pettus and Bledsoe are locked into a battle for that final spot, with the former winning out in our minds. Mapu hasn’t seen the field in three weeks, and we have no idea why, so there’s no hope he can be ready by the season.

It’s up to Pettus, Hawkins and Schooler to fill in for the time being.

SPECIALISTS (3)

In: Joey Slye (K), Bryce Baringer (P), Joe Cardona (LS)
Out: Chad Ryland (K), Tucker Addington (LS)

The Patriots haven’t let Ryland do much of anything through two preseason games. It’s Slye’s job to lose at this point, which is surprising to those who have been down at practices throughout the summer.