When we did our last Patriots roster projection after the NFL Draft, the team hadn't even taken the field yet as a whole. As such, it was deemed the 'way-too-early' roster projection.

Fast forward a month an a half, and while it's still early we now actually have some information to go off of. Coming away from spring practices - which wrapped up on Tuesday - we have a better idea of what the team has in store for the 2023 season.

Given that, it seems like it's time to update our roster projection. What changed between OTAs and Minicamp? Let's take a look.

However, keep in mind there's still a lot that will happen between now and cut-down day. This is what the team might look like if they had to make cuts today, not a projection of how players will perform during training camp.

Note: All players are listed alphabetically by position. We’ll get into depth charts during training camp. Rookies are in italics

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--Mac Jones
--Bailey Zappe

No changes here. Jones is the clear-cut starter, with Zappe as his backup. Trace McSorley didn't do anything to indicate he might be pushing for a roster spot, and Malik Cunningham saw significantly more reps at wide receiver than quarterback this spring.

--Kevin Harris
--Ty Montgomery
--Rhamondre Stevenson
--Pierre Strong

With James Robinson getting released, this group is pretty clear cut. The biggest question is how much Montgomery will split his time between running back and receiver. If it's going to be a significant split, and the Patriots want to lessen Stevenson's workload this year (which they should), one or both of Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong will need to step up into the RB2 role. Both players were involved significantly this spring, so it doesn't appear the team has written either off after keeping them sidelined for the majority of their rookie years in 2022.

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

We had Kayshon Boutte on our initial roster projection, but he was limited for most of the spring. That could be a sign he's on his way to a Foxborough Flu season and redshirt year. If that's the case it leaves the Patriots with a pretty clear-cut group of Parker at the 'X' receiver position, Smith-Schuster in the slot, Bourne and Thornton competing for/splitting time at the 'Z' spot, and Douglas in a gadget role.

While that's a complete group, it still leaves something to be desired in terms of depth. The competition for the 'fifth' wide receiver spot will be something to watch in camp. Tre Nixon and Ed Lee both showed some flashes during the spring, and should be practice squad candidates with a chance to get elevated when needed. Malik Cunningham should also hang around on the practice squad as a project player.

If the Patriots end up signing DeAndre Hopkins he'll likely push one of the veteran wide receivers off the roster. Parker would be the most logical candidate, given the stylistic overlap and the fact his trade/release would clear the most money - $6.2 million with no dead cap hit.

--Mike Gesicki
--Hunter Henry

Based on what we saw this spring, it looks like the Patriots are going to use a lot of 12 personnel (two tight ends in the formation) this season. On top of that, Gesicki should factor into the wide receiver numbers as well.

On one hand, that's all the more reason to keep a third tight end. At the same time the top contenders for that spot - Scotty Washington, Matt Sokol, and UDFA Johnny Lumpkin - are all players the Patriots can probably get onto the practice squad and elevate as needed. Maybe that changes if one has a monster preseason, but for now they're all on the outside looking in.

--Calvin Anderson (LT/RT)
--David Andrews (C)
--Jake Andrews (C/G)
--Trent Brown (LT/RT)
--Atonio Mafi (G)
--Conor McDermott (RT)
--Mike Onwenu (G/RT)
--Riley Reiff (RT/LT)
--Sidy Sow (RT/G)
--Cole Strange (G)

10 offensive lineman is certainly a lot to keep, especially compared to the Patriots' typical roster construction. Yet after taking three lineman where they did in the draft, and given their questions at the tackle position beyond Brown, they may be forced to keep more players than they usually do at the position. Plus, Andrews Mafi and Sow all had promising moments this spring, so so far they haven't shown a reason they should be cut.

The Patriots will likely keep a few linemen on the practice squad as well. Tackle Andrew Stueuber and interior linemen Bill Murray, James Ferentz, Chasen Hines, and Kody Russey will be competing for those spots.

READ MORE:

-- One observation on each position from spring practices
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--Christian Barmore
--Carl Davis
--Daniel Ekuale
--Davon Godchaux
--Keion White
--Deatrich Wise

The notable absence here is Lawrence Guy, who is reportedly holding out due to a contract dispute. The Patriots open up just under $3 million if they move on from Guy, who is 33 and took a step back in 2022. Plus, they just drafted White who can handle some similar responsibilities.

As good of a player and valuable of a presence as he's been the last few years, it doesn't make a lot of sense for the Patriots to over-extend themselves to keep Guy. Given that, he's off the 53-man roster for now.

--Ja'Whaun Bentley
--Chris Board
--Anfernee Jennings
--Matthew Judon
--Marte Mapu
--Jahlani Tavai
--Josh Uche

Seven is a lot of linebackers for the Patriots, but they've got a deep group with a range of play styles here. It feels possible they could keep more than usual.

Deciding between Jennings and Wilson for the final middle linebacker spot was tough. Jennings was involved in a couple of dust-ups during spring practices, and doesn't offer the special teams upside Wilson does. But going off of what his role was last year, Jennings gets the final spot for now. Still, there's plenty of time for that to change before the actual cuts happen.

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

Gonzalez, Jones, Jones, and Jones are all set to be major contributors for the Patriots this year. The question is, will the Patriots keep a fifth cornerback?

Right now, we have Bryant on. While he struggled at times last year, the team does seem to like his football IQ and ability to communicate pre-snap. Could he get beat out by one of the athletic rookies - Isaiah Bolden and/or Ameer Speed - for a special teams role? That'll be something to watch for in camp. If not, those two become likely practice squad candidates.

--Joshuah Bledsoe
--Kyle Dugger
--Jalen Mills
--Jabrill Peppers
--Adrian Phillips

Based on what we saw this spring, Mills is indeed making the move to safety as was reported back in free agency. He rejoins the group from last year of Bledsoe, Dugger, Peppers, and Phillips.

This group has big shoes to fill following the retirement of Devin McCourty. However, the versatility of all of the Patriots' safeties (and some of the cornerbacks as well) is something the team seems to be ready to use to its advantage. Rather than the more rigidly-defined roles we saw from these players last year, expect players like Dugger, Peppers, and Phillips, to have a wider range of assignments in 2023.

--K Chad Ryland
--P Corliss Waitman
--LS Joe Cardona

As a fourth-round pick, Ryland should have the inside track on the kicking job over Nick Folk. Not only is Folk 38 and coming off a down season, but based on what we saw at spring practices it seems like the kicker will handle kickoff duties for the Patriots this year - which is advantageous for Ryland.

At punter, Bryce Baringer isn't nearly as much of a lock as a sixth-round pick. He was also limited during the spring due to what seemed to be an undisclosed injury (he talked about handling something with the medial staff). In his absence, Waitman put together a solid performance. He has the slight edge for now, but it's still very much an open competition.

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

If you notice, we haven't continued the Patriots' 19-year UDFA streak yet. That honor goes to Heilig, who got extensive one-on-one work with Slater this spring. They're joined by last year's UDFAs Mitchell and Schooler. Raleigh Webb could factor in here as well. Cody Davis of course has a chance at a roster spot as well, but was limited this spring after dealing with a serious knee injury last year.

Last 3 on:

--Jourdan Heilig
--Anfernee Jennings
--Joshuah Bledsoe

Last 3 off:

--Lawrence Guy
--Mack Wilson
--Isaiah Bolden

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.