Patriots Roster Projection: Final Prediction Before Cutdown Day

The New England Patriots will soon cut their roster down to 53.

New England spent months acquiring players, coaching them up, tinkering with a depth chart and competing in some extremely lopsided preseason matchups, all to slash their numbers in half this weekend and start preparing for a matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1.

Who will stay? Who will go?

I’ll take a stab at guessing:

QB: (2)

IN: Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
OUT: Ben Wooldridge (PS)

Ben Wooldridge largely the better player during preseason contests, and likely earned himself a few more paychecks byway of the practice squad, but Josh Dobbs’ veteran experience will reign supreme in the backup quarterback competition.

Drake Maye, for those of you unaware, will be the starter.

I’ve been told he’s pretty good.

RB: (3)

IN: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson
OUT: Terrell Jennings (PS), JaMycal Hasty, Shane Watts, Micah Bernard
IR: Lan Larison

The Patriots have a three-headed monster in their backfield, but depth is something of an issue. Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson and Antonio Gibson can hold it down so long as they stay healthy, but it’ll get choppy if one of them suffers and injury.

Terrell Jennings probably fits what they’re looking for out of a practice squad option due to his experience and willingness to compete on special teams. JaMycal Hasty and Shane Watts showed some juice during the preseason, however, so I wouldn’t be surprised if either stuck around.

Lan Larison would have made a push had he not suffered a season-ending injury.

WR: (6)

IN: Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III
OUT: John Jiles (PS), Jeremiah Webb (PS), Javon Baker, Phil Lutz
IR: Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk

I don’t think anyone expected this group to figure itself out so easily, but things have fallen into place rather nicely.

Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas are your primary options, while Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams will be given situational opportunities.

Efton Chism III earns that sixth and final spot on the active roster, while Kendrick Bourne will have an opportunity to occupy one of two mid-season return designations on injured reserve. Ja’Lynn Polk, on the other hand, appears done for the season.

TE: (2)

IN: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper
OUT: Jack Westover (PS), Cole Fotheringham (PS), Jaheim Bell, CJ Dippre, Gee Scott Jr.
IR: Brock Lampe

The Patriots will have to get creative at this position, as they only really have room for the veterans — Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper.

Jack Westover and Cole Fotheringham have been battling for those fullback reps during the final few weeks of camp, so they get the practice squad contracts that will likely include some game day elevations. Brock Lampe would have locked that down had he not gotten injured.

New England will have to address that lack of depth at some point, though.

OL: (9)

IN: Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Marcus Bryant, Vederian Lowe, Mike Onwenu, Jared Wilson, Garrett Bradbury, Ben Brown, Cole Strange
OUT: Jack Conley (PS), Caedan Wallace (PS), Alec Lindstrom (PS), Demontrey Jacobs, Sidy Sow, Layden Robinson, Tyrese Robinson, Mekhi Butler
IR: Yasir Durant

Mike Onwenu, Garrett Bradbury and Jared Wilson appear to be the best interior unit right now, but Ben Brown has been pushing for a starting role and almost certainly will slide into one of those spots when necessary. Cole Strange earns the final spot in our room due to his interior versatility.

Vederian Lowe went from your starting left tackle to the last guy called upon in that unit, which is a major upgrade. The Patriots definitely feel good about what they have in Will Campbell, Morgan Moses and Marcus Bryant.

I’d say there’s a decent chance they carry Caedan Wallace, too.

I just didn’t have room…

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DL: (5)

IN: Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
OUT: Kyle Peko (PS), David Olajiga, Jahvaree Ritzie, Philip Blidi
IR: Jaquelin Roy

Jeremiah Pharms Jr. getting the nod over Kyle Peko was my only questionable decision here, but he has more juice in the passing game and that’s what you’re looking for out of interior depth.

EDGE: (6)

IN: Keion White, Harold Landry, K’Lavon Chaisson, Bradyn Swinson, Anfernee Jennings, Elijah Ponder
OUT: Truman Jones (PS)

Truman Jones made a strong push for a roster spot, but I have a feeling he’ll lose out to Anfernee Jennings and Elijah Ponder.

Jennings was superb in the second preseason matchup, showing that he was able to adapt to a different style of play. Ponder has fans all over the building, so he stays.

LB: (4)

IN: Robert Spillane, Jack Gibbens, Christian Elliss, Marte Mapu
OUT: Monty Rice, Cam Riley, RJ Moten
IR: Jahlani Tavai

I’ve been fairly impressed by this group, as Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss and Jack Gibbens appear to be a tremendously solid trio in the middle of the defense. Marte Mapu earns his spot on special teams, and if he can ever stay healthy, might be able to crack the defensive rotation.

Jahlani Tavai will occupy that second mid-season return spot on injured reserve.

CB: (6)

IN: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis II, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, DJ James, Miles Battle
OUT: Kobee Minor (PS), Jordan Polk, Brandon Crossley, Isaiah Bolden
IR: Marcellus Dial

Christian Gonzalez’s injury is rather worrisome, but beyond that the unit has been put together for weeks. Miles Battle might be the last guy on the roster.

S: (6)

IN: Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, Kyle Dugger, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler
OUT: Marcus Epps

Kyle Dugger will not play as much as we all thought he would coming into the offseason, but there’s just no way they release this guy.

I can see a trade, but a release?

No.

Brenden Schooler and Dell Pettus both provide value on special teams, while you can use either as a spy on the defensive side of the ball.

ST: (3)

IN: John Parker Romo (K), Bryce Baringer (P), Julian Ashby (LS)
OUT: Andres Borregales (K)

The Patriots will probably do it, but I just can’t get behind cutting my best player at a position.

John Parker Romo has earned his spot over Andres Borregales — pedigree be damned.