Final Patriots 53-man roster projection

It’s been just over a month since I posted my pre-camp roster projection, and now we’re just two days out from cut day. By 4pm EST on Saturday, the Patriots will have submitted their final 53-man roster.

Remember, this year’s practice squad has been expanded to a maximum of 16 and can include veteran players for the first time.

The team also tonight officially announced the release of WR Mohamed Sanu, CB Michael Jackson, and DL Michael Barnett.

Here’s my final projection on who makes it and who misses out.

Quarterbacks (3)

Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer

Cut (1)- Brian Lewerke

After initially starting out as actual competition, slowly faded into a one-horse race, with the leader, Cam Newton. I still think all three make the team and can provide something in-game or on the practice field. UDFA Brian Lewerke may have a chance to claim one of the 16 available practice squad spots for emergency depth.

Running backs (5)

James White, Sony Michel, Damien Harris, Rex Burkhead, Lamar Miller

Cut (1)– J.J. Taylor

Opt-Out (1)- Brandon Bolden

I’ve gone with five here, Burkhead and Harris had great camps, White breezed through also, and Michel looked sharp after returning from the PUP list. Originally I had Miller missing out on the main roster, but after the news today regarding Harris’ finger injury, Miller makes it. J.J. Taylor had some bright spots in camp, I’d love for him to get a chance to stick around on the PS.

Fullbacks (1)

Jakob Johnson

Cut (1)- Paul Quessenberry

Opt-Out (1)- Danny Vitale

Only one real option here, but a good one at that, Johnson has shown consistent improvement throughout his second camp on the team, his first opportunity to begin the season as the leading FB. Quessenberry’s story may not end here in New England, a candidate to stick around on the PS and develop his technique further.

Wide receivers (5)

Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, Gunner Olszewski, Damiere Byrd, Jeff Thomas

Cut (4)- Jakobi Meyers, Devin Ross, Isaiah Zuber, Andre Baccellia

Opt-Out (1)- Marquise Lee

A tough one here, Jules, Harry, and Byrd are my locks. Second-year Gunner Olszewski has really improved, and at times, he was the second-best WR at camp behind Edelman. Now, regarding Jeff Thomas, I’ve just got a feeling the team won’t want to risk losing him on waivers, his known flare didn’t have a chance to ignite during camp, but I have him being carried on the roster to develop further. After the news of Sanu’s release last night, I toyed with the idea of adding in Jakobi Meyers to keep 6 in the group, but for now, he misses out. Expect further movement at the position over the weekend/early next week.

Tight ends (3)

Ryan Izzo, Dalton Keene, Devin Asiasi

Cut (3)- Paul Butler, Jake Burt, Rashod Berry

Opt-Out (1)- Matt LaCosse

I’m sticking with my initial pre-camp projection here, Izzo, Keene, and Asiasi make my roster, the team could potentially look for further depth at some point, but for now, I’m sticking with these three. Any of the three cuts could return on the PS at some point, Berry also listed as a DE, could be seen to be a versatile emergency option.

Offensive linemen (9)

David Andrews, Joe Thuney, Isaiah Wynn, Shaq Mason, Yodny Cajuste, Michael Onwenu, Justin Herron, Jermaine Eluemunor, Hjalte Froholdt

Cut (3)- Tyler Gauthier, Ben Braden, Korey Cunningham

Retired (1)- Dustin Woodard

Opt-Out (2)- Marcus Cannon, Najee Toran

Probably the position that will have even more turnover in the coming weeks, a couple of players I projected to be pre-camp cuts, impressed me enough to make the roster. Away from the obvious locks, Froholdt has shown his versatility to be a useful tool. Cajuste didn’t see as much time on the field as we might have hoped for, but he still makes the team, believe he has something to offer. Eluemunor looks set to start at RT, with Herron providing further backup. -More movement on the way here also.

Defensive linemen (5)

Lawrence Guy, Byron Cowart, Adam Butler, Deatrich Wise, Derek Rivers

Cut (3)- Nick Thurman, Xavier Williams, Bill Murray

Projected injured reserve (1)- Beau Allen

Beau Allen has been absent for all but one practice this training camp and as no official word regarding his condition has been released, he could make the team, but I’m putting him down as one of my IR designations. I’m hoping Cowart can have a bigger year than last this season, along with Butler and Guy who will be helping with the defensive attack. Wise turned up to camp in great shape and has had a good few weeks. Would keep the veteran Xavier Williams around on the PS.

Linebackers (7)

Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, John Simon, Chase Winovich, Cassh Maluia, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Brandon Copeland

Cut (4)- Shilique Calhoun, Scoota Harris, Terez Hall, Tashawn Bower

Opt-Out (1)- Dont’a Hightower

Reserve/Physically unable to perform (1)- Brandon King

Both rookies make the team with ease after a good first camp in the pro’s, these are two exciting prospects and it will be fun to see them develop, Simon and Winovich are locks also after putting in some strong sessions. Maluia made some great plays during camp, missed a few sessions, but will be another that can offer something and will hopefully continue to impress. A couple I’ve left out should be targets for the PS, but may garner interest from other teams, especially Harris.

Cornerbacks (5)

Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, Jonathan Jones, J.C. Jackson, Joejuan Williams

Cut (2)- D’Angelo Ross, Myles Bryant

Staying with the same projection as pre-camp for the CB’s, a very strong group, if not the strongest on the team, stay together for another year of secondary terror. Myles Bryant made some plays during camp, but was always going to be a tough ask to break into this strong group, I expect him to stick around on the PS.

Safeties (5)

Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Terrence Brooks, Kyle Dugger, Cody Davis

Cut (0)

Opt-Out (1)- Patrick Chung

The team’s first pick in this year’s draft has turned out to be an exciting one, at least during camp. Dugger was involved in various areas on the practice field, making plays during defensive and team drills, as well as returning punts. Phillips impressed during camp after arriving in free agency, and Dmac, of course, stays as a lock. Davis and Brooks who are involved with ST’s also make the team.

Specialists (5)

(K) Nick Folk, (P) Jake Bailey, (LS) Joe Cardona, (C) Matthew Slater, (C) Justin Bethel

Cut (1)- (K) Justin Rohrwasser

Folk was brought in around half-way through camp and was the clear leader from the off, whilst Rohrwasser was reportedly carrying an injury, it can’t cover for his lack of consistency, because of this, I have this year’s fifth-round draft pick missing out. I think Rohrwasser will stick around as an emergency backup on the PS. Bailey, Cardona, and Slater make it in, I also have Bethel making the team again for his great ST skills.

Cut day this Saturday! – I’ll be doing a live blog from 10am EST covering all of the roster news.