The New England Patriots entered their preseason finale on Sunday night with plenty of questions about the roster. They left Washington without many answers. Injuries complicate the roster bubble at tight end, offensive line, linebacker, and safety, while players fighting for roster spots at wide receiver, defensive line, and cornerback did not make enough plays to feel good about their position.
Monday’s first wave of cuts, did not change much. A total of 14 players were let go, but none of the moves were of much consequence as a look at our updated final roster projection shows.
Once again, this projection has the Patriots cutting to 52 and scouring the waiver wire for an addition on the offensive line. They could cut lower than that if they want to, as well, without feeling worried about their players being claimed off of waivers that they would like to get to the practice squad.
The weakness of the roster bubble makes a situation where the team keeps four quarterbacks, four tight ends, two kickers, or as many as eight wide receivers or cornerbacks somewhat plausible. Be prepared for the roster to look a little weird by the end of the day on Tuesday.
Quarterback (3)
In: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye (R), Joe Milton III (R)
Out: Bailey Zappe
The health of Jacoby Brissett is the situation to monitor with the veteran quarterback ruled questionable to return with a throwing shoulder injury during Sunday night’s preseason finale. Drake Maye has “outplayed” him this preseason according to Jerod Mayo, so we will wait to see which of the top two quarterbacks gets the start Week 1. Joe Milton gets the nod over Bailey Zappe here, but with how weak the roster bubble is, it would not be a complete shock if the team kept all four quarterbacks. With the state of the offensive line, depth at this position is not a bad thing.
Running back (4)
In: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty
Out: Terrell Jennings (R), Deshaun Fenwick (R)
New England’s top four options at running back remained the same on Sunday night. With Stevenson sitting, Gibson played with the starters while Hasty and Harris came in with Maye. It seems almost certain the team will keep that group of four players into the season.
Wide receiver (6)
In: DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton, Ja’Lynn Polk (R), Javon Baker (R), Jalen Reagor
Out: Kayshon Boutte, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis
PUP: Kendrick Bourne
IR: JaQuae Jackson
DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker are all locks here, with Kendrick Bourne joining them whenever he’s healthy. Polk and Baker both played well in the preseason finale, and Osborn had a long touchdown called back as well.
Jalen Reagor came into Sunday night ahead of Kayshon Boutte on the depth chart at wide receiver in what is likely a battle for the final player at the position to make the roster. Both players finished the game with no receptions. Boutte had a chance to overtake him, but the status quo is unchanged with neither player performing well to finish off the preseason.
Tight end (3)
In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell (R)
Out: Mitchell Wilcox, La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren (R)
With Mitchell Wilcox injured, Jaheim Bell claims the final tight end spot despite a mostly quiet preseason. Bell is still a work-in-progress, though, so the team could still opt to keep the more polished Wilcox as a depth piece. Keeping four tight ends is very possible as well.
Offensive line (8)
In: Chukwuma Okorafor, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Michael Onwenu, Nick Leverett, Caedan Wallace (R), Layden Robinson (R), Vederian Lowe
Out: Calvin Anderson, Zuri Henry (R), Michael Jordan, Atonio Mafi, Charles Turner III (R), Liam Fornadel (R), Kellen Diesch
PUP: Cole Strange
IR: Jake Andrews, Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Starting left guard Sidy Sow departed Sunday night’s game early with an injury, and tackles Vederian Lowe and Calvin Anderson are already banged up. Backup center Nick Leverett may have played himself out of “lock” status with multiple mishandled snaps, poor blocks, and a play where he stepped on Drake Maye’s foot. Almost every player listed making the cut that played was flagged during the game. This projection has just the top eight players in camp making the roster, with the team looking to add at least one additional lineman from outside the building. Sidy Sow’s injury situation could also thrust backup guard Michael Jordan onto the active roster.
Defensive line (6)
In: Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise Jr., Keion White, Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Trysten Hill
Out: Sam Roberts, Armon Watts, William Bradley-King, Jotham Russell, Josiah Bronson, Kobe Jones, Christian McCarroll
IR: Christian Barmore
With Mike Purcell cut during the week, Trysten Hill takes his spot on the roster as the next man up. He did get flagged for an illegal block on an interception, though, so the team could have opted to pick Sam Roberts instead if they are unhappy with Hill’s discipline. However, Roberts was cut on Monday.
This group gives the Patriots a variety of options when rushing the passer or stopping the run from multiple spots on the line.
Linebacker (7)
In: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings, Joshua Uche, Raekwon McMillan, Oshane Ximines, Joe Giles-Harris
Out: Christian Elliss, Steele Chambers (R)
PUP: Sione Takitaki
Christian Elliss led the Patriots in tackles against Washington, but a head injury forced him to depart early. Joe Giles-Harris hauled in an interception and may have put himself on the 53-man roster with the play. He gets the slight advantage here, but health may be the deciding factor between the two for the final roster spot.
Cornerback (7)
In: Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marco Wilson, Marcellas Dial Jr. (R)
Out: Shaun Wade, Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor (R)
Alex Austin, Marco Wilson, and Isaiah Bolden seem to have locked up the top three spots behind Gonzalez and the Joneses. That leaves a battle between Shaun Wade and Marcellas Dial for the seventh spot at corner, if the team wants to keep seven. Wade has been the better player in coverage, but Dial has been a gunner with the starting punt coverage unit and looked good in the role. I’ll give the edge to the young guy here, although whomever doesn’t make the cut should land right back on the practice squad.
Safety (5)
In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus (R), Brenden Schooler
Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, A.J. Thomas
IR: Marte Mapu
With Marte Mapu still injured, he lands on injured reserve. Undrafted free agent Dell Pettus grabs his spot on the roster, although veteran Joshuah Bledsoe had his best game of the preseason against Washington. With Mapu’s health status a total unknown, any of these three players making the roster should not come as a surprise.
Special teams (3)
In: Joey Slye, Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona
Out: Chad Ryland, Tucker Addington
Joey Slye did miss two long field goal attempts on Sunday, but he wrapped up the competition in camp. Chad Ryland has been improved, as shown by his make during the game, but Slye seems to have edged him out for the starting kicking job. Expect Ryland to land on the practice squad where he can hopefully continue to improve and develop into a starting NFL kicker.
