FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: A New England Patriots helmet during the first half of the game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots’ initial 53-man roster is set for the 2022 season.
Key word here, though, is “initial.” At least one or two players who made the team are expected to begin the regular season on short-term injured reserve, which will immediately open up their roster spots. The Patriots are likely to bring back plenty of players they released during Tuesday’s final roster cut-downs, whether to the main roster or the practice squad.
Here’s an early look at the Patriots’ roster as it stands after cutdown day…
Quarterbacks (3)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: Quarterback Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders
during the first half of a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)Mac Jones
Brian Hoyer
Bailey ZappeNo funny business. Jones has been locked in as the starter from day 1, Hoyer is the veteran backup who hopefully almost never has to play, and Zappe is the rookie project with potential to take over for Hoyer down the road.
Wide Receivers (5)
Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker (1) catches a pass as Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (48) defends in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
DeVante Parker
Jakobi Meyers
Nelson Agholor
Kendrick Bourne
Tyquan ThorntonNo surprises here. This is a positional group that, even while lacking a true star, go-to option, is vastly improved over what they had in 2019 and 2020. The addition of Parker is a big improvement over the end of the 2021 depth chart. Thornton will begin the season on short-term injured reserve, though, so it’ll be interesting to see if his roster spot is used on another fifth receiver.
But the rookie still felt like he was behind the top-4 options here, even with Kendrick Bourne having a down camp. Nonetheless, Thornton showed enough in camp that, when healthy, he’ll be an NFL-caliber receiver with a high ceiling. But the top-4 has been locked in basically throughout camp, despite trade rumors and possible inner turmoil.
Tight Ends (2)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 10: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown during the second half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Hunter Henry
Jonnu SmithIn one of the Patriots’ most surprising cuts of the day, they decided to move on from third-year tight end Devin Asiasi. He looked like the clear “next man up” at TE while Hunter Henry was absent during camp. But the Patriots do plan on getting more use out of two-tight end sets with this high-priced duo.
Still, in light of the fact that the Pats should increase their snaps in “12” personnel (one running back, two tight ends), they are still likely to carry a third TE on the practice squad. That very well could be Asiasi, if he passes through waivers without being claimed.
Running Backs (4)
Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) runs the ball as Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (40) defends in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Damien Harris
Rhamondre Stevenson
Ty Montgomery
Pierre Strong Jr.The Patriots waived rookie sixth-round pick Kevin Harris and third-year pro J.J. Taylor as part of their final cutdowns. Those two could both return via the practice squad. Otherwise, the top-3 players here have gotten the large majority of the work.
It bodes well for Montgomery’s status that the Patriots kept him on the main roster. He could still end up on short-term IR, which would require him to sit for at least four games. But this should undo any fears of a season-ending injury.
Offensive Line (8)
Aug 19, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) signals during the first half of a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
LT Trent Brown
LG Cole Strange
C David Andrews
RG Michael Onwenu
RT Isaiah Wynn
OT Yodny Cajuste
OT Justin Herron
OL Chasen HinesNo surprise moves at tackle. The Patriots opted to keep everyone remotely used at that position, with Brown and Wynn always being injury risks. On the interior, James Ferentz seems like a lock to return, either back to the main roster or on the practice squad. Doesn’t seem likely they’ll roll with rookie Chasen Hines as their only backup there.
It’s not shocking that the Patriots preserved their depth across the line and will continue to do so in subsequent moves. They’ve done away with the fullback in their new running offense, and the aforementioned Brown and Wynn haven’t been the most consistently reliable players in their careers. So it makes sense to carry a deep group in general.
Defensive Line (7)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 17: Christian Barmore #90 of the New England Patriots reacts after a play in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Davon Godchaux
Lawrence Guy
Christian Barmore
Deatrich Wise Jr.
Carl Davis
Sam Roberts
DaMarcus MitchellThis is a group that looks deeper and better equipped against both the run and pass than it was from 2019-21. Deatrich Wise appeared to pass by Henry Anderson on the depth chart during the preseason, but Anderson ended up on IR anyway. Wise’s ascension is still a good sign that he may be turning a corner as a run defender.
Or it could mean that they’re comfortable with Christian Barmore in an increased run-stopping role. Barmore should make a real impact as a pass-rusher, while rookie sixth-rounder Sam Roberts and undrafted free agent LaBryan Ray add some youth and upside to a group that needed some of that.
Linebackers (7)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: Linebacker Matthew Judon #9 of the New England Patriots hits quarterback Chase Garbers #15 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Inside Linebacker
Ja’Whaun Bentley
Raekwon McMillan
Mack Wilson
Jahlani TavaiOutside Linebacker
Matthew Judon
Anfernee Jennings
Josh UcheAs part of their final roster cutdowns, the Patriots waived disappointing second-year linebacker Cameron McGrone. But it’s possible that McGrone can make it through waivers and land on the practice squad, as the Patriots attempt to continue his development.
Other than that, the only surprise is not a cut, but someone who was not cut. Jahlani Tavai has seen an increased role on the inside in recent weeks, as Belichick seems to have growing confidence in him. But Bentley and McMillan look like the most common players on the inside, with Judon and Jennings manning the edge. Jennings, in particular, has emerged out of nowhere, which could make a noticeable difference against both the run and the pass.
Safeties (5)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: Safeties Devin McCourty #32 and Adrian Phillips #21 of the New England Patriots stand on the field between plays against the Las Vegas Raiders during their preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 23-6. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Devin McCourty
Adrian Phillips
Kyle Dugger
Jabrill Peppers
Joshuah BledsoeThis is the position group that Belichick deemed the strongest, when asked by Chris Berman (of all people) in a recent press conference. It would’ve been a huge surprise if the Patriots cut any of the top-3 safeties, who should play a large majority of the snaps.
Peppers, meanwhile, has come on lately after returning to full health and getting on the practice field. The Patriots are likely to use all four regularly, as the true anchors of the secondary. Bledsoe, meanwhile, had a good summer and earned himself a spot after sitting out his rookie year on IR.
Cornerbacks (6)
May 23, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills (2) walks to the practice field for the team’s OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Mills
Jonathan Jones
Myles Bryant
Marcus Jones
Jack Jones
Shaun WadeOne of the bigger surprise cuts of the day was journeyman Terrance Mitchell, who looked like a projected starter at outside corner at the start of camp. But over the past few weeks, Jonathan Jones started to see regular time on the boundary, while rookie Jack Jones came on strong in the preseason. Those developments made Mitchell expendable.
The rise of the two rookies, Jack Jones and Marcus Jones, combined with Mills’ emergence at the lead outside corner spot, has made this position group much less of a concern than it was entering the off-season. We’ll see if they can hold up against a top-end passing offense, but they’re not the dumpster-fire that they could’ve been.
Special Teams (6)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: Place kicker Nick Folk #6 of the New England Patriots kicks a 22-yard field goal during the second half of a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Nick Folk (placekicker)
Jake Bailey (punter, kickoff specialist, holder)
Joe Cardona (long snapper)
Matthew Slater
Cody Davis
Brenden SchoolerSchooler rose fast to a regular special teams role over the course of the summer, helping extend the Patriots’ streak of naming at least one undrafted rookie to the 53-man roster. The rest are mainstays.
The Patriots cut Justin Bethel as part of Tuesday’s moves, which qualified as one of their bigger surprises.
Who Will Be Back?
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 11: Lil’Jordan Humphrey #83 of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the preseason game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Some of the players not named to the 53-man roster are likely to re-sign soon after a spot opens back up. But most of the returning names will be via the practice squad, which can be as high as 16 players.
Projected Practice Squad
OL Arlington Hambright
OL Will Sherman
OL Bill Murray
OL Kody Russey
TE Devin Asiasi
TE Matt Sokol
RB Kevin Harris
RB J.J. Taylor
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
WR Tre Nixon
WR Josh Hammond
DL LaBryan Ray
DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
LB Harvey Langi
LB Cameron McGrone
DB Brad HawkinsExpect many, if not most, of these names to end up back on the practice squad. And if I nail all 16, you owe me $600,000.
We’re On To Week 1
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 23-6. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
And with that, the Patriots can get ready for the start of the regular season. Well, they still need to finalize the official practice squad, which may not be the same as the above projection. And there will be at least one additional move to make, as Thornton heads to IR.
We’ll be sure to keep you updated with everything on the Patriots here at 985TheSportsHub.com.
