The New England Patriots’ 53-man roster is set for the start of the 2023 season.
Key word there is “start.” Because the 53 players listed below will almost certainly not be the same 53 when the Patriots take the field in the Sept. 10 regular season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The main thing we’re waiting to see is whether players are placed on injured reserve. NFL rules state that in order for a player to be eligible to return from injured reserve, they must first be named to the initial 53-man roster. Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton and offensive lineman Riley Reiff are prime candidates.
Beyond that, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has made his decision at a number of key spots that at least carried some question marks. That includes quarterback, where both second-year pro Bailey Zappe and undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham have been waived.
Without further ado, here’s a position-by-position look at the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster…
Quarterback (1)
GREEN BAY, WI: Mac Jones of the New England Patriots calls out a play during a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Aug. 19, 2023. (John Fisher/Getty Images)
Mac Jones. That’s the list.
Obviously, the Patriots will add a backup behind Jones, and possibly a third QB to carry on the practice squad/run the scout team. That could be Zappe and/or Cunningham, if they clear waivers. But for now, Jones is the only QB on the roster. The releases of both Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham were easily the biggest surprises of the day.
It’s a massive vote of confidence in Jones, who is primed for a bounce-back season after a rough 2022 for the offense all-around. The hope is that the offensive line in front of him can hold up, and his pass-catchers can get enough separation to make explosive plays down the field.
Wide Receivers (6)
Aug. 19, 2023: New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshoun Boutte runs past Green Bay Packers safety Anthony Johnson Jr. (36) after catching a pass to score a touchdown at Lambeau Field. (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports)
Kendrick Bourne
DeVante Parker
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Demario Douglas
Kayshon Boutte
Tyquan ThorntonFor weeks, we’ve wondered whether the Patriots would keep six wide receivers. That’s a good thing. It’s a reflection of a great summer for rookies Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas, and the worthy veterans atop the depth chart. There may be no superstar in this group, but it’s six players worthy of being rostered in the league.
That being said, Thornton is a strong candidate to be moved to injured reserve. Naming him to the initial roster makes him eligible to return after four games. But the rest have a chance to make real contributions from day 1.
We’re still projecting the three veterans – Kendrick Bourne, DeVante Parker, and JuJu Smith-Schuster – as the starters in three-receiver sets. The speed and upside of the two rookies makes this a more promising group than it seemed before the draft.
Tight Ends (2)
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Hunter Henry
Mike GesickiThe Patriots may not have been considering a third tight end too strongly, since one of Henry and Gesicki should be on the field every snap, and since the pair could be a real weapon in two-tight end sets. But the team will almost certainly sign a tight end to the practice squad, or possibly even the main roster after IR moves.
Matt Sokol looked like the leader to be the Patriots’ third tight end throughout the summer, so if he can’t sign to a roster elsewhere, we expect him back in New England in some capacity.
Running Backs (2)
Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots runs for a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Rhamondre Stevenson
Ezekiel ElliottIt would be wild if the Patriots went into Week 1 with only Stevenson and Elliott on this depth chart. But this seems like a vote of confidence that Elliott will be able to make immediate, possibly significant contributions out of the backfield.
Ty Montgomery should be a candidate to re-sign after guys are moved to IR, while rookie Kevin Harris could also come back to the main roster or practice squad. Otherwise, the Patriots will likely look to add one or two backs before the season starts.
Offensive Line (11)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 01: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots lines up against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
TACKLES
Trent Brown
Calvin Anderson
Riley Reiff
Sidy Sow
Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Vederian LoweGUARDS
Cole Strange
Mike Onwenu
Atonio MafiCENTERS
David Andrews
Jake AndrewsJust an outrageous number of offensive linemen. However, Reiff seems likely to be moved to IR, which will open up a roster spot. Wheatley and Lowe, who the Pats traded for just before final cuts, aren’t locks to stick around too long.
The interior of the line looks on track to be solidified in time for the Sept. 10 season opener against the Eagles, with Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu making progress in practice.
After a roller coaster of a summer and rampant injuries, this is a group that may get off to a rocky start. But if and when they can get their best five guys healthy, they have a chance to be a solid group.
Defensive Line (7)
Foxboro, MA, Sep. 25, 2022: New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore reacts during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. (Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)
Christian Barmore
Deatrich Wise
Davon Godchaux
Lawrence Guy
Keion White
Daniel Ekuale
Sam RobertsThe closest thing to a “surprise” here is Roberts, who closed strong in the preseason. But the top-5 here were virtual locks, while Ekuale has shown steady improvement in his time with the Patriots.
High hopes for this group, particularly due to the upside of Barmore and White. The Patriots have gotten the majority of their QB pressure from their linebackers the past two seasons, so an added push on the D-line could make a massive difference.
Linebackers (7)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: Matthew Judon #9 of the New England Patriots sacks Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions during the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)
INSIDE
Ja’Whaun Bentley
Jahlani Tavai
Mack Wilson Sr.
Marte MapuOUTSIDE
Matthew Judon
Josh Uche
Anfernee JenningsJennings has successfully stuck around for the fourth year of his rookie deal with the Patriots, as a well-rounded complement to the Pats’ excellent pass-rush tandem of Judon and Uche. On the inside, continuity reigns with Bentley and Tavai, while Wilson could be in line to make a year-2 jump in the system.
Mapu is a wild card. A rookie third-round pick out of Sacramento State, Mapu has often worked with the safeties in practice and played safety roles on the field, but he is listed as a linebacker and should play a hybrid role. He has good potential as a sideline-to-sideline defender.
Cornerbacks (7)
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (50) sprints during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Jonathan Jones
Christian Gonzalez
Jack Jones
Myles Bryant
Marcus Jones
Shaun Wade
Ameer SpeedA deep, versatile, interesting, flawed, talented group. The big question is what happens with Jack Jones’ legal situation. If he’s available, it’ll be interesting to see how the Patriots line them up outside and inside.
Gonzalez, a first-round pick out of Oregon, made a quick emergence in camp and looks poised to start from day 1. We will see rookie moments, ups & downs with Gonzalez, but his size, speed, and fluidity are standout traits for his position. He has the floor of a solid starting cornerback, and an extremely high ceiling.
Meanwhile, Jon Jones, Marcus Jones, and Bryant project as slot corners, although we’ll probably see Jon Jones on the outside at times. Wade makes the cut as a bigger option for the outside, while the rookie Speed projects as a core special teamer.
Safeties (4)
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)
Kyle Dugger
Adrian Phillips
Jabrill Peppers
Jalen MillsArguably the deepest position group on the team. We expect all four players here to make significant contributions. Dugger could be primed for a big season, as he’s in a contract year and should be on the field most snaps.
Phillips, Peppers, and Mills provide various skill sets and veteran savvy. Peppers, in particular, feels primed for a big step forward in his second season with the Patriots. Joshuah Bledsoe was cut, but is a candidate to return on the practice squad.
Special Teams (6)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 01: Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots reacts gainst the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Matthew Slater
Chris Board
Brenden Schooler
Chad Ryland (kicker)
Bryce Baringer (punter)
Joe Cardona (long snapper)The Patriots’ special teams coverage units should be much improved in 2023, now that Joe Judge was moved back to coaching this group in camp. Free-agent addition Board is considered an elite special teams player. Schooler has been solid in his roles. Slater’s Slater.
Most intriguing is the Pats’ new kicking tandem, a pair of power-legged rookies in Ryland and Baringer. There may be some shakiness early on – particularly with Ryland, who has been strong but erratic – but the Pats are clearly confident in the new kids.
