Patriots Roster Projection 1.0: What we’ve learned so far

Author Alex Barth

August 9th, 2021 9:28 AM

In past years, the Patriots would have played their first preseason game by now. And with that, it would be time for the first roster projection of the year. While the preseason opener was pushed back due to the league eliminating a preseason game, that doesn’t mean a roster projection wouldn’t fit.

It’s been a busy training camp, and two weeks and 10 practices in, there’s certainly been some movement on the roster. Which players have made the most of their opportunities so far? Who needs to have a big showing in preseason games and joint practices? Let’s take a look at where things seemingly stand.

Note: Players are listed alphabetically by position.

• Quarterbacks (3)

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  • Brian Hoyer
  • Mac Jones
  • Cam Newton

  
  Keeping three quarterbacks makes a ton of sense for the Patriots, for a number of reasons. First and foremost, assuming Cam Newton is the starter to begin the season, it will allow Mac Jones to be able to focus on his own game without having to deal with scout team responsibilities. There’s also the hovering cloud of COVID, which makes experienced depth at a position like quarterback extra important.

• Running Backs (5)

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  • Brandon Bolden
  • Damien Harris
  • Sony Michel
  • Rhamondre Stevenson
  • James White

  
  The Patriots’ solid running back depth continues for another year. Brandon Bolden has gotten off to a great start this summer following his opt-out season, and looks like the best candidate to fill Rex Burkhead’s old role. 
  
  J.J. Taylor misses the initial roster here after struggling on special teams to start camp. He could be brought back right away if a player on the initial 53 is IR’d/designated to return.

• Wide Receivers (5)

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  • Nelson Agholor
  • Kendrick Bourne
  • Jakobi Meyers
  • Gunner Olszewski
  • Kristian Wilkerson

  
  N’Keal Harry’s situation is one of the most fascinating surrounding a single player in quite a while. For most bubble players, the better they play, the clearer the picture. This isn’t the case for Harry, whose breakout start to camp seemingly further complicates his standing with the team.
  
  A trade still makes the most sense, given the depth role Harry currently projects to play on the offensive side of the ball combined with his lack of special teams experience. In his place, Kristian Wilkerson slides on the roster. He’s seen heavy special teams work throughout camp, and seems to be making progress as a pass catcher.
• Tight Ends (3)

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  • Devin Asiasi
  • Hunter Henry
  • Jonnu Smith

  
  The biggest question at the tight end position coming into camp was whether or not Dalton Keene could make a run at a roster spot and force the team into carrying two tight ends. But Keene was placed on IR on Saturday, putting an end to that line of thinking.
  
  Devin Asiasi has just one practice under his belt after spending time on COVID-IR, but after a strong spring he still feels like the favorite to land the third tight end role. If he can pick up where he left off in June, the spot should be his. If he falters, or there is an injury at the position, Matt LaCosse could end up making the team, his start to camp has been under-the-radar but solid.

• Offensive Line (8)

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  • David Andrews (C)
  • Trent Brown (T)
  • Justin Herron (T)
  • Ted Karras (C/G)
  • Shaq Mason (G)
  • Michael Onwenu (G/T)
  • William Sherman (G/T)
  • Isaiah Wynn (T)

  
  Keeping eight offensive lineman is slightly below the average for Bill Belichick, but the positional versatility of this group helps keep the numbers down. By moving Ted Karras and Michael Onwenu around, the team maximizes configurations with minimal personnel. 
  
  The eighth and final spot goes to rookie William Sherman, who is more of a developmental player than somebody who will make an impact right away in 2021. However, as a potential five-spot offensive lineman, and given the Patriots’ recent history of hitting on linemen late in the draft, it would make sense the team would want him to stick around.
  
  If Sherman struggles in the preseason, Marcus Martin could make a run at that roster spot. Martin brings guard/center positional versatility, and  filled in for Ted Karras in recent practices while Karras recovered from an injury suffered early in camp. The 27-year-old Martin has more NFL experience than Sherman, and would add more immediate depth.

• Defensive Line (7)

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  • Henry Anderson
  • Christian Barmore
  • Rashod Berry
  • Davon Godchaux
  • Lawrence Guy
  • Chase Winovich
  • Deatrich Wise Jr.

  
  Most of this group is composed of relative roster locks. Rashod Berry is the lone surprise after an explosive start to camp both as a pass rusher and on special teams. 
  
  If Berry falls off, or Chase Winovich isn’t ready to start the season, Montravius Adams is another name to keep an eye on. Adams has had a solid summer so far, and right now is only off the roster due to a numbers crunch. Carl Davis has made a strong push towards the roster as well, but is currently in the same boat as Adams.
• Linebackers (7)

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  • Ja’Whaun Bentley
  • Dont’a Hightower
  • Anfernee Jennings
  • Matt Judon
  • Ronnie Perkins
  • Josh Uche
  • Kyle Van Noy

  
  This group feels completely refreshed after a tough 2020. Not only did they add/re-add top-end talent in Matt Judon (who may be having the best camp of any defensive player), Kyle Van Noy, and Dont’a Hightower, but returning players like Ja’Whaun Bentley and Josh Uche are showing natural improvement of their own. 
  
  Anfernee Jennings returns after a tough year, despite some speculation the Patriots may be ready to give up on him after just one season. However, we’ve seen plenty of players in the past struggle in the Patriots’ system as a rookie, but figure things out and become contributors in two or three years. Jennings has plenty of natural ability, and it’s simply too soon to write him off.

• Cornerbacks (5)

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  • Myles Bryant
  • Stephon Gilmore
  • J.C. Jackson
  • Jonathan Jones
  • Joejuan Williams

  
  Even if Stephon Gilmore is ready to start the season, depth at the outside cornerback position could be an issue for the Patriots. Joejuan Williams is the in-house favorite to fill Jason McCouty’s vacated snaps from last season - McCourty was on the field for 65 percent of the Patriots’ defensive plays. He projects to split that role with hybrid safety/corner Jalen Mills. 
  
  Still, neither player has truly grabbed control of that spot so far. The Patriots generally add a player or two during roster cutdowns, and cornerback would be an ideal spot to do so this year. Keep in mind those issues are only compounded if Stephon Gilmore ends up missing time.

• Safeties (4)

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  • Kyle Dugger
  • Devin McCourty
  • Jalen Mills
  • Adrian Phillips

  
  Four safeties feels a bit thin, but the versatility of guys like Kyle Dugger and Jalen Mills and hybrid defensive backs like Myles Bryant and Joejuan Williams will help this group fill out their depth needs. Through two weeks of camp, the Patriots’ safeties have been one of, if not the most impressive group on the field.
• Special Teams (6)

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  • Nick Folk (K)
  • Jake Bailey (P)
  • Joe Cardona (LS)
  • Justin Bethel
  • Cody Davis
  • Matthew Slater

  
  Quinn Nordin’s Friday night performance was extraordinary, but one night isn’t enough to unseat a 13-year NFL veteran. Assuming he’s healthy, Nick Folk is still the favorite for the job - but the gap is closing. If Nordin continues to display consistent reliability, he’ll make it hard for the team to stash him on the practice squad.
  
  In coverage, the Patriots return the core members of last year’s group in Matthew Slater, Justin Bethel, and Cody Davis. Jake Bailey doesn’t appear to be showing any rust after his All-Pro season, and the team should have an elite punt unit once again.

• Bubble Watch

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  Here’s a quick look at the last three players that were cut, and the last three left on the roster...
  
  Last three off:

  • J.J. Taylor
  • Brandon King
  • Montravius Adams

  
  Last three on:

  • William Sherman
  • Rashod Berry
  • Kristian Wilkerson

MORE: Bill Belichick on the Patriots’ QB battle

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Author Alex Barth

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