Patriots Roster Projection 2.0: Focusing on depth
Week 2 of the preseason is typically the biggest potential turning point for roster battles in the preseason. Where do things stand with the Patriots’ roster after their second preseason game? It’s time to update our Patriots roster projection
The New England Patriots played their second of three preseason games on Thursday night, hosting the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. That game after a joint practice on Tuesday, making this a very telling week as the team looks ahead to trimming down the roster at the end of the month.
In the new three-game preseason format, this second week of the preseason is generally the most telling. With the third game now being the ‘throwaway’ game, players on the roster bubble have their best chance to make a push throughout Week 2.
So, which players made the most of their opportunities this week? Who may have slipped off the roster? Let’s take a look with our updated Patriots roster projection.
Like we did last week though, a few reminders about how our Patriots roster projection process works. We’re looking through the scope of if the cuts were made today, instead of assuming what will and won’t happen through the rest of the summer. Also all players are listed alphabetically by position, so the order doesn’t reflect a depth chart.
Rookies in italics
Quarterbacks (4)
–Jacoby Brissett
–Drake Maye
–Joe Milton
–Bailey Zappe
Change from last week: ADD Bailey Zappe
It’s seeming more and more likely the Patriots will keep four quarterbacks. Brissett will be the Week 1 starter, Maye will take over eventually, and Milton has shown enough to stick around as a project player.
So where does that leave Zappe. If the Patriots aren’t comfortable playing Maye right away, they’ll need a ‘buffer’ veteran backup in case Brissett gets hurt. Zappe already being on the roster means he makes the most sense, but if the team wants to go in another direction they could add another veteran during cutdowns as well.
Running backs (3)
–Antonio Gibson
–Kevin Harris
–Rhamondre Stevenson
No changes here. This still looks like the group heading into the season, while Terrell Jennings has a good chance to stick on the practice squad.
Wide receivers (6)
–Javon Baker
–Kayshon Boutte
–DeMario Douglas
–K.J. Osborn
–Ja’Lynn Polk
–Jalen Reagor
–Kendrick Bourne (PUP)
Again, no changes from last week. Tyquan Thornton’s injury has prevented him from building on the strong start he had to camp. Boutte has looked more consistent as a receiver, while Reagor has supplemented his receiver play by looking like the team’s top kick returner. If Thornton does get cut he’ll be a strong practice squad candidate.
Tight ends (3)
–Hunter Henry
–Austin Hooper
–TBD veteran addition
None of the Patriots’ depth tight ends have shown enough yet to warrant a roster spot, yet there’s still a place for a third tight end on this team. So, just like last week, we’re saving a spot for a veteran acquisition during roster cuts – like Pharaoh Brown last year. Mitchell Wilcox and Jaheim Bell remain practice squad candidates.
Offensive tackles (4)
–Calvin Anderson
–Vederian Lowe
–Chuks Okorafor
—Caedan Wallace
This is another spot where the Patriots could make a veteran addition (like they did last year with Lowe and Tyrone Wheatley Jr.) but teams are just so hesitant to move any tackle it feels unlikely. For now this top group remains – although the depth chart at left tackle remains a question after another shaky performance from Lowe.
Interior linemen (5)
–C David Andrews
–C/G Nick Leverett
–G/T Mike Onwenu
–G Layden Robinson
–G Sidy Sow
–G Cole Strange (PUP)
Not much wiggle room here. Andrews, Onwnu, and Sow are the starters with Leverett a valuable multi-position backup and Robinson a developmental rookie. Michael Jordan still hasn’t made enough of a push to fully contend for a roster spot, and it’s been a rough camp for Atonio Mafi. Both could get on the practice squad but don’t seem to currently have a path onto the 53.
Defensive linemen (6)
–Daniel Ekuale
–Davon Godchaux
–Trysten Hill
–Jeremiah Pharms
–Keion White
–Deatrich Wise
–Christian Barmore (IR)
Change from last week: CUT Armon Watts
While some defensive linemen like Pharms and Hill have done a lot to stand out in this camp, it’s been a quiet summer from Armon Watts – one of the team’s first free agent signings. The fact he didn’t get on the field until after halftime and then played late into the preseason game on Thursday isn’t a good sign right now. Meanwhile, Barmore gets one of two IR-return spots on the off chance he could return at some point this year.
Linebackers (6)
–Ja’Whaun Bentley
–Anfernee Jennings
–Raekwon McMillan
–Jahlani Tavai
–Joshuah Uche
–Oshane Ximines
–Sione Takitaki (PUP)
Change from last week: TRADED Matthew Judon
With Matthew Judon no longer on the team, maybe there’s more urgency in Takitaki’s return and he’s activated off PUP before the start of the season to add veteran depth to this group. In the meantime though, it will be up to Uche and Ximines to step up as pass rushers.
Meanwhile, McMillan gets one of the last spots for his contributions on special teams and flashes as an early down run defender. Christian Elliss is also in the running for that job, and should be considered a strong practice squad candidate.
Cornerbacks (7)
–Alex Austin
–Isaiah Bolden
—Marcellas Dial
–Christian Gonzalez
–Jonathan Jones
–Marcus Jones
–Marco Wilson
–Marte Mapu (IR)
Change from last week: ADD Isaiah Bolden, CUT Shaun Wade
Yes, seven cornerbacks is a lot. But, it’s one of the deepest positions on the Patriots roster made up of mostly young players with upside. It’s probably worth the investment for the team to hold onto these players, even if some won’t see much time in 2024.
Wade beats out Bolden from our last roster projection, with Bolden playing more in the slot as Wade has missed time due to injury. If anybody is on the bubble here it’s Dial. He’s had a solid summer overall – which keeps him on the roster for now – but Thursday night’s preseason game was a rough one for him.
Safeties (6)
–Joshuah Bledsoe
–Kyle Dugger
–Jaylinn Hawkins
–Jabrill Peppers
–Dell Pettus
–Brenden Schooler
Change from last week: ADD Joshuah Bledsoe
The Patriots are going to need all the pass rush help they can get in the post-Matthew Judon era. Joshuah Bledsoe is hardly a regular sack threat, but he was flying around like a wrecking ball playing in the box on Thursday night and created a couple of pressures as a blitzer in the process. That kind of versatility at the safety position, combined with special teams ability, put him on the roster.
Specialists (3)
–K Joey Slye
–P Bryce Baringer
–LS Joe Cardona
Change from last week: ADD Joey Slye, CUT Chad Ryland
Last week the kicker competition felt neck-and-neck, and Ryland got the edge by being younger and a recent fourth-round draft pick. Since then though, Slye has convincingly been the better kicker. His performance on Thursday night hitting 45- and 51-yard field goals, after being better in practice, give him the edge.
On the bubble
Last 3 on:
–OT Calvin Anderson
–QB Bailey Zappe
–CB Marcellas Dial
Last 3 off:
–CB Shaun Wade
–DL Armon Watts
–WR Tyquan Thornton
