Meet the Patriots’ 53-man roster to start the 2020 season
The Patriots 53-man roster has been set for the start of the 2020 NFL season. Check out the full depth charts at every position below.
Bill Belichick made his final roster cutdowns on Saturday, with few surprises. With the league’s expanded practice squads and the ability to place anyone on them, some released players may eventually be signed back for that purpose.
The initial 53-man roster includes three quarterbacks, as both Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham stayed on under starter and team captain Cam Newton. There are 26 players on offense and 23 on defense.
Here’s the full roster, along with analysis from our own Matt Dolloff and Alex Barth.
Patriots 53-Man Roster
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Patriots running back Rex Burkhead works out with teammates at training camp on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, Pool)
Quarterbacks (3):
Cam Newton
Brian Hoyer
Jarrett Stidham
No surprises here. The question becomes if the Patriots want to take all three QBs into Week 1. Could Jarrett Stidham, given his recent hip injury, end up on IR to free up another roster spot allowing the team to bring back a player who was cut today? If they really end up needing him, the second-year QB could be brought back after Week 3. —Alex Barth
Wide Receivers (5):
Julian Edelman
N’Keal Harry
Damiere Byrd
Gunner Olszewski
Jakobi Meyers
Byrd has likely performed his way into the No. 3 receiver role. Meyers didn’t impress training camp attendees as much as Olszewski did, but both UDFA receivers from 2019 hang on. Devin Ross was the tough cut after a strong start to camp, but he’s a practice squad candidate. —Matt Dolloff
Running Backs (5):
James White
Rex Burkhead
Sony Michel
Damien Harris
Jakob Johnson (FB)
If the Patriots intend to place someone from the initial 53-man roster on injured reserve, the hope is that player wouldn’t be second-year back Damien Harris. He stood out at training camp but is now dealing with a hand injury that could sideline him for the season opener or longer. If he’s unable to go early in the season, it’s a huge opportunity for Sony Michel to re-establish himself as an early-down runner. Jakob Johnson sticks at fullback, indicating the Patriots still want to play heavy up front on offense. –Matt Dolloff
Tight Ends (3):
Devin Asiasi
Dalton Keene
Ryan Izzo
Ryan Izzo sticks on the roster as the only tight end to be with the Patriots throughout camp with an NFL catch. There’s a lot of upside here with Asiasi and Keene, but the growing pains will be evident. –Alex Barth
Offensive Line (10):
T Isaiah Wynn
G Joe Thuney
C David Andrews
G Shaq Mason
T Jermaine Eluemunor
G/C Hjalte Froholdt
G Michael Onwenu
T Justin Herron
T Korey Cunningham
T Yodny Cajuste
The Patriots ended up keeping everybody on the offensive line. 10 players would usually be excessive at this position, but when you factor in David Andrews returning from a heart issue, Shaq Mason coming off of an injury-riddled season, and the general threat of COVID, excessive depth isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s also likely we’ll see a player from this list cut or put on IR in the coming days to open a spot for a kicker, wide receiver, etc. from free agency. –Alex Barth
Defensive Line (8):
Lawrence Guy
Adam Butler
Deatrich Wise
Derek Rivers
John Simon
Chase Winovich
Byron Cowart
Beau Allen
Not only is this group talented, but they’re all incredibly versatile. While the Patriots will have to deal with growing pains at linebacker, this front should be able to help hide some of the blemishes. –Alex Barth
Linebackers (5):
Ja’Whaun Bentley
Shilique Calhoun
Brandon Copeland
Josh Uche
Anfernee Jennings
Bentley and Uche are the only linebackers who project as guys who can play inside and off the line. Calhoun, Copeland, and Jennings are more like OLBs in a 3-4. It will be interesting to see how the rookies are deployed. Rookie sixth-round pick Cassh Maluia was perhaps the biggest surprise cut of the day, but if he clears waivers he will be signed back to the practice squad. –Matt Dolloff
Cornerbacks (6):
Stephon Gilmore
Jason McCourty
J.C. Jackson
Jonathan Jones
Joejuan Williams
Justin Bethel
Still easily the deepest, most talented positional group on the team. Man-to-man coverage should once again be a major strength. Williams has practiced with the safeties but declined to categorize himself as either a CB or S in a recent interview. It’s likely he and Jones do a little of both. Bethel stays on as a special teams cornerstone who could play CB in a pinch. –Matt Dolloff
Safeties (5):
Devin McCourty
Terrence Brooks
Adrian Phillips
Cody Davis
Kyle Dugger
The Patriots never truly replaced Duron Harmon this offseason as the second deep safety behind Devin McCourty. Kyle Dugger can play that role if needed, but his skill set is better used elsewhere. Cody Davis fits the mold, but is mainly a special teams player. Perhaps after IRing players, Myles Bryant can be brought back and fill that role. –Alex Barth
Special Teams (3):
ST Matthew Slater
P Jake Bailey
LS Joe Cardona
The big surprise here, obviously, is that the team released both kickers. We’ll see if rookie fifth-round pick Justin Rohrwasser clears waivers and the Pats are inclined to add him to the practice squad. But in the meantime, they’ll need to determine who’s taking care of the field goals and kickoffs to start the season. Folk could re-sign if the Patriots intend to place someone on IR after naming the roster. Team captain Slater, dynamic sophomore punter Bailey, and veteran long snapper Cardona were locks all along. Bailey could be a candidate to handle kickoff duties. –Matt Dolloff
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