FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots’ season-opening win on Thursday may not have been the most exciting game, raising questions about why neither Drake Maye nor the first-team offensive line got more playing time, but it was still a good opportunity to evaluate players on the roster.
Difficult decisions must be made at running back, tight end, wide receiver and throughout the defense.
To clarify the current status, here is our first projection of the 53-man roster since the start of training camp.
Quarterbacks
In: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton
Out of: Bailey Zappe
The quarterback position is probably the most set in stone. Unless he gets injured, it almost certainly will be. Milton gets the nod for the third quarterback job ahead of Zappe, and he deserves it, even if you ignore the fact that his potential is much higher. The more interesting question is how much Maye plays in the coming days and if he gets a chance on the first team offense. Coach Jerod Mayo said this is a huge week for Maye and the others, as the Philadelphia Eagles visit for a joint practice on Tuesday. The teams then face off in a preseason game on Thursday, where Mayo said Maye will play more than one series.
“Rocket or bazooka?” 😂@Qbjayy7 | @quaerid_9 pic.twitter.com/HG1X7WlaoY
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) 9 August 2024
Running backs
In: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris
Out of: JaMycal Hasty, Terrell Jennings
I don’t like keeping only three running backs. And I’m not sure which of the backup backs to pick for the last spot. That’s especially concerning considering how much the Patriots are expected to run the ball this season. Jennings (six carries for 38 yards) had the best stat line against the Panthers, but I’m still concerned about his speed. So Harris gets the nod for now.
Tight ends
In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell
Out of: Mitchell Wilcox, Jacob Warren, La’Michael Pettway
Unfortunately, no one has stepped up for the No. 3 job on the Patriots. Wilcox has struggled with drops in the passing game, Bell has a lot of potential but hasn’t stayed healthy, and Warren and Pettway have been inconsistent. Wilcox started first in the preseason game, but for a rebuilding team, I’d go with Bell.
Wide receivers
In: Kendrick Bourne, KJ Osborn, Demario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Tyquan Thornton
Out of: Jalen Reagor, Kayshon Boutte, JaQuae Jackson, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis
This is where it gets really tricky. One path that could be considered is keeping Bourne on the PUP list while he recovers from a torn ACL. That would mean he would miss the first four games, but that could be possible since he hasn’t practiced yet. If he’s on the PUP list, that would free up a spot for another receiver. Reagor brings the most potential at kick returns, but the Pats seem to have a few options for that spot, which is why he’s not in. Boutte had a good game Thursday, as did Wallis, who made two good punt returns. They’re trending in the right direction.
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Offensive line
In: Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Chukwuma Okorafor, Caedan Wallace, Nick Leverett, Layden Robinson, Calvin Anderson, Michael Jordan
Out of: Atonio Mafi, Kellen Diesch, Liam Fornadel, Charles Turner, Zuri Henry
PUPPY: Cole Strange
Granted, that’s a lot of offensive players, but that’s the situation the Patriots are in as they try to put together their best front five. At this point, getting rid of Lowe, Anderson, or Jordan doesn’t seem wise. But the subsequent decisions on defense will make it difficult to keep 10 offensive players. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Patriots – contrary to this projection – kept 26 defensive players and only 24 offensive players.
Defensive line
In: Deatrich Wise, Keion White, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Mike Purcell, Armon Watts
Out of: Trysten Hill, Sam Roberts, William Bradley-King, John Morgan, Jotham Russell, Josiah Bronson
PUPPY: Christian Barmore
Pharms Jr. was the star of the season opener, but Ekuale also had some good moments and Wise recorded a sack on a play where the Patriots had only 10 players on the field. Purcell and Watts are both in the mix, but with Barmore out, the Patriots will have to rely on a committee to compensate for his appearances, which is why I kept both of them.
Linebackers
In: Matthew Judon, Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Raekwon McMillan, Oshane Ximines
Out of: Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris, Steele Chambers
PUPPY: Sione Takitaki
The final decision for me was whether to keep Ximines or Elliss. I wanted both but couldn’t afford it since I wanted so many players in the secondary. Elliss played well on Thursday and had a sack, but Ximines’ moments in the tryout stood out a little more so I went with him.
GO DEEPER
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Cornerbacks
In: Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Marco Wilson, Alex Austin, Marcellas Dial
Out of: Shaun Wade, Isaiah Bolden, Mikey Victor, Azizi Hearn
The Patriots will keep at least four (and probably five) safeties, so getting the number down to five cornerbacks would be helpful. But I had a hard time getting rid of Wilson, Austin, or Dial, so they all made the final selection. Wilson got plenty of playing time on Thursday, Austin played well at the end of last season, and Dial is a rookie they want to keep and develop.
Collateral
In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marte Mapu, Brenden Schooler
Out of: Dell Pettus, Joshuah Bledsoe, AJ Thomas
This is the Patriots’ deepest and best position group, so the decisions are especially tough. Schooler has to make the team because he’s good on special teams. That leaves four safeties, assuming Mapu is healthy (though they could maybe let him start on the PUP list, which would free up another spot). That makes it difficult to predict for Hawkins, Pettus, and Bledsoe, who have all played well. Only one will likely make the cut, though, and I’m betting on Hawkins.
Specialists
In: Chad Ryland, Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona
Out of: Joey Slye, Tucker Addington
Mayo called the Ryland-Slye kicker competition “wide open” for this week, so it’s way too close to make a prediction. But for now, we’re betting on the incumbent, despite a rocky rookie season.
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(Terrell Jennings Photo: Eric Canha / USA Today)
