FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 10: Head coach Bill Belichick looks on during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on August 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)

The New England Patriots’ preseason opener is in the books, after the team hosted the Texans on Thursday night. Now having seen players battling for roster spots in game action, it’s time to update our roster projection.

For much of training camp to this point, observations have been hedged with caveats about play-speed and the lack of contact that comes with even a full-padded practice in the modern NFL. That made Thursday night’s reps the most valuable of the evaluation process so far.

In particular, offensive line play and the running game come more into focus once a team gets in to real game action in the preseason. You’ll see that reflected in a number of our five changes from Roster Projection 1.0.

A reminder just like last time – this roster project reflects as if cuts were made today. With two weeks of joint practices and two more preseason games left to play there’s still plenty of time for things to change. But for now, here’s where things might stand with the 53-man roster…

Note: Players are listed alphabetically by position, not as a projected depth chart. Rookies are in italics.

Quarterbacks (3)

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Malik Cunningham (16) during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

–Malik Cunningham
–Mac Jones
–Bailey Zappe

It still seems like the Patriots’ long-term plans for Cunningham involve developing him at wide receiver. That being said, he showed on Thursday night the value he’d bring both as a scout team quarterback, and as a gadget player if the Patriots wanted to use the new ’emergency QB’ rules to have him active on gamedays. For that to happen though, he has to be on the active roster (the new rule doesn’t apply to practice squad elevations). He sneaks in on this projection.

Changes from Roster Projection 1.0: ADD Malik Cunningham
Running backs (3)

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back Pierre Strong Jr. (35) ru8ns after the catch with Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) in tow during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

–Rhamondre Stevenson
–Pierre Strong
–TBD

We’re going to go a little outside the box here, and leave a spot open for a future veteran running back addition (Leonard Fournette? Ezekiel Elliott?). While the offensive line play Thursday night didn’t help, the Patriots’ young running backs struggled in their own right on Thursday night. Neither Strong nor Kevin Harris has been able to separate himself as a potential No. 2 back to Stevenson, and it’s looking more and more like the Patriots will have to go outside the organization to fill that role.

As for Ty Montgomery, it’s becoming a roster crunch at other positions on the roster, which bumps him off the 53. Given his injury history, the Patriots may be able to get him back on the practice squad and elevate him later as needed. Harris is another back that should be able to get to the practice squad, like he did last year.

Changes from 1.0: ADD ‘TBD,’ CUT Kevin Harris and Ty Montgomery.
Wide receivers (6)

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (58) makes a catch during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)

–Kendrick Bourne
–Kayshon Boutte
–Demario Douglas
–DeVante Parker
–JuJu Smith-Schuster
–Tyquan Thornton

Here it is, that six wide receiver grouping that has fans so excited. That being said, don’t expect a six-man WR rotation if this ends up being the outcome. Boutte would probably stick on the roster as a developmental player – he’s shown enough that he’d likely get claimed if waived to the practice squad, but still not enough to pass Thornton or Douglas on the depth chart. While pressure/poor offensive line play prevented him from getting the ball on Thursday night, there were a few times he got himself open.

Changes from 1.0: ADD Kayshon Boutte
Tight ends (2)

New England Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki (88) makes a catch during training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)

–Mike Gesicki
–Hunter Henry

So far, none of the depth tight ends behind Gesicki and Henry have made a push for the roster. Matt Sokol and Anthony Firkser seem to be leading the push towards the third tight end spot, but right now it looks like that will initially be a practice squad role that has the players elevated as needed to start the season.

Changes from 1.0: None
Offensive linemen (8)

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots guard Sidy Sow (61) blocks Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) away from quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

–C David Andrews
–C/G Jake Andrews
–T Trent Brown
–G Atonio Mafi
–T Conor McDermott
–G/T Mike Onwenu
–T Riley Reiff
–G Cole Strange

Because of certain contract intricacies, the Patriots are somewhat locked in to keeping more offensive linemen than usual. This projection is actually one less than we had in 1.0, with Sidy Sow making that roster. However, based on the preseason opener Sow looks like a work in progress as he moves from guard to tackle, which should make it easier for the Patriots to get him on the practice squad. Players like James Ferentz, Kody Russey, and Bill Murray should find their ways onto the practice squad as well. We’re also still working under the assumption that Calvin Anderson will open the season on NFI.

Changes from 1.0: CUT Sidy Sow
Defensive linemen (6)

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale (95) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

–Christian Bamore
–Daniel Ekuale
–Davon Godchaux
–Lawrence Guy
–Keion White
–Deatrich Wise

White’s strong performance in the preseason opener should only increase the hype for this group. Ekuale put together an impressive performance as well, helping his case on the bubble.

Changes from 1.0: ADD Daniel Ekuale, CUT Carl Davis
Linebackers (8)

Aug 1, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (9) works with the defense during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

–Ja’Whaun Bentley
–Chris Board
–Anfernee Jennings
–Matthew Judon
–Marte Mapu
–Jahlani Tavai
–Josh Uche
–Mack Wilson

The book on this group hasn’t changed. Yes, eight linebackers is a lot but there isn’t a ton of overlap in terms of skill sets here. For a defense that should prioritize being multiple, this group makes a lot of sense.

Changes from 1.0: None
Cornerbacks (5)

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (50) sprints during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)

–Myles Bryant
–Christian Gonzalez
–Jack Jones
–Jonathan Jones
–Marcus Jones

For Bryant, the significant reps he got at safety in the preseason game in addition to cornerback suggest the team has a multi-positional role in store for him. That’s a sign they plan on him making the team. Meanwhile, rookie seventh-round pick Isaiah Bolden remains just off the roster after having some coverage issues on Thursday night.

Changes from 1.0: None
Safeties (4)

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills (2) runs after intercepting the ball during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

–Kyle Dugger
–Jalen Mills
–Jabrill Peppers
–Adrian Phillips

Mills was one of the Patriots’ top performers on Thursday night, and looks very comfortable back at the safety position. Another versatile player in this group will only help the defense. Meanwhile, seeing Myles Bryant rep at safety helps increase the depth here.

Changes from 1.0: CUT Joshuah Bledsoe
Specialists (4)

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots place kicker Chad Ryland (38) kicks the ball to the Houston Texans during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

–K Nick Folk
–K Chad Ryland
–P Bryce Baringer
–LS Joe Cardona

O.K., hang with me here. First off a reminder – this is projected what I think the Patriots will do, not what I would do. That being said, their special teams usage on Thursday night hinted at a team considering keeping two kickers. While Baringer got the start at punter, Folk kicked the team’s lone field goal. Meanwhile, Ryland handled all the kickoff duties. In warm-ups, Baringer held for both Folk and Ryland.

Why would the Patriots do this? Maybe it’s lack in trust of a rookie kicker. Maybe it’s just insurance. But despite Ryland out-performing Folk, we haven’t seen a similar gap develop between the two as we have with Baringer and Corliss Waitman. The Patriots may want to keep Folk on field goals and use Ryland as a kickoff specialist at first. If Folk continues to struggle as he did late last year, he’d be released and Ryland would take over as the full-time kicker.

So why not just sign Folk to the practice squad? That could be an option, but unless he doesn’t want to play anywhere else it’s hard to imagine him not getting a better offer. Right in his hometown of Dallas – where he lives in the offseason and his family lives during the season – the Cowboys are is desperate need of kicker help. They could offer Folk a spot on their 53-man roster instead of the practice squad (which would come with a pay bump), and significantly shorten his commute. Would he say no to that?

Changes from 1.0: ADD Nick Folk
Special teamers (4)

Jun 12, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Jourdan Heilig (66) works out at the Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

–Jourdan Heilig
–DaMarcus Mitchell
–Brenden Schooler
–Matthew Slater

We’ve got the same core group here. Raleigh Webb and Calvin Munson could factor in too, but the Patriots should be able to get them to the practice squad.

Changes from 1.0: None
Bubble Watch

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches game action against the Houston Texans during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Last 3 on:

–K Nick Folk
–WR Kayshon Boutte
–QB Malik Cunningham

Last 3 off:

–DL Carl Davis
–RB Kevin Harris
–S Joshuah Bledsoe
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.