Patriots 53-man roster projection: Changes at running back, linebacker

The preseason is over in an instant.

It seems like only yesterday that we were eager to watch the new-look Bill O’Brien offense and rookie corner Christian Gonzalez. The next time we see them and the rest of the New England Patriots will be on September 10, when they play the Philadelphia Eagles in the regular season opener.

The preseason ended in Nashville with New England’s offense stuttering behind a backup offensive line. The Patriots were able to stymie Tennessee’s attack for the majority of the game before third stringers on both sides joined the game. However, as is customary in the preseason finale, New England had a guy play his way onto the roster and etch his name on the initial 53-man roster.

Following the completion of training camp and the preseason, here is how the roster could look when the final cuts are made on Tuesday afternoon.

(2) QuarterbackMac Jones and Bailey Zappe are in.

Trace McSorley and Malik Cunningham are out.

There have been no modifications since last week. Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe are remain the starting quarterbacks at QB1 and QB2, respectively. McSorley’s time with the organization is likely coming to an end. Malik Cunningham showed potential against Houston, but he struggled at quarterback and even worse at wide receiver in the season finale against the Titans. He has a lot of potential, and I’d want to see him on the practice squad, but he’s not among the 53 best players on this team right now.

(4) Running Back

Kevin Harris, J.J. Taylor, and C.J. Marable are all out.

Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliot are locks, and Ty Montgomery appears to be as well, based on his absence on Friday night. This leaves Pierre Strong Jr., Kevin Harris, or J.J. Taylor with a single roster slot.

Taylor has been explosive and difficult to bring down in preseason, and Kevin Harris is strong between the tackles and scored last night. But, after playing late into the fourth quarter last night, I’m going with Pierre Strong Jr. Strong Jr. was picked first overall and plays special teams, so I’m going with him, with Harris and Taylor remaining on the practice squad. In actuality, I believe this war will rage for the next two weeks, with all of the men stationed at the site.

(2) Tight EndHunter Henry and Mike Gesicki are in.

Matt Sokol, Anthony Firkser, Scotty Washington, and Johnny Lumpkin are all out.

I’ve been waiting for someone from this group to impress me and make a run for a roster berth behind Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki during the preseason. None of these men have done enough to ensure that this occurs. Matt Sokol and Anthony Firkser are adequate blockers, but neither is good enough to justify rostering them to supplement the two starters.

(6) Wide Receiver

Thyrick Pitts is out.

DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne, and Demario Douglas did not play on Friday night, indicating that they are not guaranteed spots on the roster. Kayshon Boutte played a series and then came off the bench, which is a good indicator for his roster chances. And, despite a dismal offseason, Tyquan Thornton will make the initial 53-man roster unless the organization decides to trade him or place him on season-ending injured reserve.

Thyrick Pitts impressed me during camp and dragged defenders after the catch against the Titans, so I believe he will remain on the scout team.

Line of Attack (9)

Andrew Stueber, James Ferentz, Bill Murray, Kody Russey, Chasen Hines, and Micah Vanterpool are not returning.

Calvin Anderson, NFI

This group is both one of the most difficult and one of the simplest to put together. Trent Brown, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Michael Onwenu, Riley Reiff, Jake Andrews, Sidy Sow, and Atonio Mafi are all locks based on contract or draft status. That includes a healthy Calvin Anderson.

However, Reiff was hurt last night, Anderson remains on the NFI list, and backup tackle Conor McDermott hasn’t practiced in a few weeks. Anderson falls short of my forecast, and Reiff may be placed on injured reserve depending on the severity of his injury. I’m sticking with the nine I’ve projected, but don’t be surprised if the team adds from outside the building or keeps up to ten linemen. If they need more bodies in the room, I’m keeping an eye on Chasen Hines.

(7) Defensive LineDavon Godchaux, Christian Barmore, Lawrence Guy Sr., Deatrich Wise Jr., Daniel Ekuale, Sam Roberts, and Keion White are among others who have joined the team.

Carl Davis Jr., Jeremiah Pharms Jr., and Justus Tavai are out.

Trey Flowers is a PUP.

Lawrence Guy was rumored to be cut after apparently holding out for a new deal early in camp, but he was sitting on the bench with the roster locks on Friday. Davon Godchaux and Christian Barmore are likely to start at defensive end, with Deatrich Wise Jr. and Keion White rotating. Carl Davis was in my previous projections, but Sam Roberts replaces him after a solid preseason.

After briefly claiming Marquan McCall and trying out Chris Wormley, the Patriots may attempt to add another player to their roster. Wormley is a man who would take a position over Roberts or Daniel Ekuale if they weren’t satisfied with the run defense of the guys on the roster.

(7) LinebackerJa’Whaun Bentley, Matthew Judon, Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche, Calvin Munson, Marte Mapu are among others who have joined the team.

Mack Wilson Sr., Ronnie Perkins, Diego Fagot, Joe Giles-Harris, and Carson Wells are all out.

Calvin Munson has broken through my projection after another good performance. Munson is a key member of New England’s special teams, where he had a run stop and a pick against Tennessee. Add in a healthy Marte Mapu, and Mack Wilson is in trouble. Munson and Mapu will likely play off-ball linebacker alongside Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai this season.

Matthew Judon, Josh Uche, and Anfernee Jennings return to the line of scrimmage. Judon is a proven commodity, while Uche and Jennings appeared to improve on their flaws over the summer. On Friday, Ronnie Perkins had his best game as a Patriot, practically putting it all on the field, but it felt like too little, too late for the third-year edge defender. That performance, though, may have been enough to keep him on the club or on someone else’s roster.

(5) CornerbackJonathan Jones, Jack Jones, Marcus Jones, Myles Bryant, and Christian Gonzalez are all in.

Isaiah Bolden, Shaun Wade, Quandre Mosely, and Rodney Randle Jr. are all out.

These five have been practically locks since the beginning of camp, and nothing has changed. Jonathan, Jack, and Marcus Jones are explosive, Christian Gonzalez is set to be the team’s starting cornerback for the foreseeable future, and Myles Bryant provides solid backup play in the slot and at safety. Isaiah Bolden, Shaun Wade, and Quandre Mosely all had strong performances during camp, but not enough to make the 53-man roster.

(4) SafetyKyle Dugger, Jalen Mills, Adrian Phillips, and Jabrill Peppers are all in.

Joshuah Bledsoe and Brad Hawkins are out.

This is a group of gamers that, like in the corner, have been feeling locked in for a while. Kyle Dugger is primed for a Pro Bowl season and should be the X-factor on defense for this club. Adrian Phillips appears to be the leading candidate for deep safety. After recovering from an ACL tear, Jabrill Peppers appears revitalized and at ease. Jalen Mills, meanwhile, is a heatseeking missile around the line of scrimmage who can also compete with tight ends and slot receivers.

Both Joshuah Bledsoe and Brad Hawkins had strong performances, but neither appears to be roster material at this time.

(7) SpecialistsChad Ryland, Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona, Matthew Slater, Brenden Schooler, Chris Board, and Ameer Speed have all been called up.

Nick Folk, Corliss Waitman, and Raleigh Webb are all out.

Cody Davis, PUP

The two-kicker concept has been bandied about over the past week. I’m ready to call this contest and say rookie Chad Ryland will be the lone kicker on the squad after he received all of the repetitions vs Tennessee. Ryland and rookie punter Bryce Baringer both threaten to kick balls out of the stadium whenever they bounce off their legs, and Joe Cardona is the long snapper.

Special teams are completed by Matthew Slater, Brenden Schooler, Chris Board, and Ameer Speed. Please accept my apologies, Raleigh Webb.