Patriots Roster Projection 4.0: Final Prediction Before Cut-Down Day

The Patriots have to make some cuts.

New England took one last opportunity to scout Sunday, taking on the Washington Commanders in the league’s final preseason game before roster cuts are do by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

Did anyone make one last push? How did those on the bubble perform? Did Drake Maye finally win that starting job? Let’s take a look:

QUARTERBACKS (3)

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

Brissett is still the starter, so long as the shoulder injury he suffered Sunday doesn’t end up keeping him on the sideline. Maye is close to earning that job, but not quite there. Milton won’t make it through waivers, so he gets a spot.

Zappe? New England just doesn’t have any room.

RUNNING BACKS (3)

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

Stevenson, Gibson and Harris have been the trio from jump street, with Harris showing enough as the third option to earn the final spot. The Patriots will need to keep a rusher or two on the practice squad, however.

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WIDE RECEIVERS (6)

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

Reagor’s roster spot was seemingly once written in sharpie, but he’s done a lot to change that over the last few weeks. The Patriots might not need his kick returning skills if Marcus Jones (or anyone else, for that matter) proves to be an equal or better option, as his offensive inconsistencies continue to show up.

Bourne’s return will force an eventual roster move, and Reagor’s name might be one that comes up for whenever his veteran teammate is ready to return. Thornton, who has repped with the starters and will make the team, is another.

TIGHT ENDS (4)

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

Henry and Hooper have been banged up, and given the importance of tight ends in this offense, the Patriots might not have much of a choice but to keep four. Bell played early in the final preseason game, while Wilcox seemingly has earned his way onto the roster.

OFFENSIVE LINE (8)

In: Mike Onwenu, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Chukwuma Okorafor, Nick Leverett, 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, Calvin Anderson

Anderson’s move to the “PUP/IR” section is the only change from our last roster projection, as he was kept out of pretty much every practice between our installments. It’ll be interesting to see how injuries play a part in this group.

DEFENSIVE LINE (6)

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

Mike Purcell was someone we believed in, but he’s gone. No changes, otherwise.

LINEBACKERS (8)

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

The Patriots probably don’t need to keep eight linebackers, but it isn’t insane if you put some thought into it. Elliss and McCarroll are the two that probably don’t need to be held onto, but the former has done more than enough throughout the preseason while the latter gives New England some depth on the edge.

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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

Dial is on the bubble, and could very well be cut in favor of Wade. The Patriots should favor upside, though, as the group is pretty rock solid.

SAFETIES (5)

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

Mapu will be added eventually, with Pettus likely finding his way off the roster once the second-year chess piece is ready to go.

SPECIALISTS (3)

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

Slye all but officially won the job Sunday, as he was chosen to kick an end-of-half field goal from practically Virginia. The Patriots clearly are more comfortable with the veteran, and in a season where they need to find consistency, he should be the choice.