Over the weekend, Bill Belichick and the Patriots released 10 players, trimming their roster to 80 players. Typically, Belichick would bring in 90 players into training camp, but this training camp will look a little different, for obvious reasons.
On July 24th, the NFL and the NFLPA came to an agreement in which teams had to reduce their rosters to 80 players by August, 16th. However, with training camp rapidly approaching, Bill Belichick wasted no time in reaching that 80 player mark. This might not seem like a big deal, but when it comes to evaluating talent, and finding those hidden gems it makes all the difference in the world. Especially with this current Patriots roster, with a lot of competition and unknowns with the front-7.
For the past 16 years, at least one undrafted rookie free agent has made the Patriots week 1 roster. For nearly two decades, it’s been one of the safest bets in sports, and has become one of Bill Belichick’s biggest strengths. He identifies talent like nobody else, and that is why he has been able to have success for nearly 20 years. Guys like Brian Hoyer, Brandon Bolden, Malcolm Butler, David Andrews, Jonathan Jones, Adam Butler, and J.C. Jackson all came from the undrafted ranks. Belichick has really thrived in finding the forgotten talent, but he may struggle to keep the streak alive this season.
On Saturday, the Patriots released veteran cornerback Lenzy Pipkins, and on Sunday they released an additional 9 players, including seven undrafted free agents. Quarterbacks Brian Lewerke and J’Mar Smith, wide receivers Isaiah Zuber, Sean Riley and Will Hastings, defensive tackle Courtney Wallace, linebacker Kyahva Tezino, and safeties Adarius Pickett and Malik Grant were all let go by the Patriots.
After these cuts the Patriots only have eight UDFA’s on their roster. Running back JJ Taylor, tight ends Jake Burt and Rashod Berry, wide receiver Jeff Thomas, defensive end Nick Coe, defensive tackle Bill Murray, linebacker De’Jon Harris, and cornerback Myles Bryant are the last remaining UDFA’s on the Patriots’ roster.
With training camp around the corner, will any of these eight players stick on the week 1 roster? Well, with the competition at the running back and wide receiver positions it seem like too much of an uphill battle for JJ Taylor and Jeff Thomas. The Patriots drafted two tight ends in the draft, and still have Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo, so I’m not in love with Burt or Berry’s chances to make the roster. The depth at cornerback is probably the biggest strength of this Patriots team, so Myles Bryant won’s sniff the roster.
So, that leaves defensive end Nick Coe, defensive tackle Bill Murray, and linebacker De’Jon Harris.
Defensive end Nick Coe played his collegiate career at Auburn, and finished his career with 71 tackles, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles. Coe was scouted and projected to be a 3-4 defensive end, and his long-arms and length really are his best traits. Coe will be fighting for a roster spot with Nick Thurman and Deatrich Wise Jr. With the Patriots continued support of Deatrich Wise over the last couple of seasons, I would be surprised if Belichick axed him in 2020. Especially in a season with a lot of question marks, Wise provides the Patriots with safety and security.
Defensive tackle Bill Murray played at William & Murray, and was a three-year starter. He recorded 143 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles. On top of that, he had an impact on special teams, as he blocked 10 kicks. His 4.93 40-time was his most notable achievement at the NFL combine. His strength is in run defense, but he has shown the ability to chase down the quarterback. Murray will be in competition with Byron Cowhart and Beau Allen for the right to backup Adam Butler. I like Murray’s chances to make the squad, as I would pin point him as the UDFA that is most likely to keep the streak alive. With Adam Butler being most effective as an interior pass-rusher, Murray could get a serious look when it comes to stopping the run. The Patriots need all the help they can get on the interior part of their defensive line. Losing Danny Shelton was a substantial loss, and Murray could slide into his shoes.
Linebacker De’Jon Harris played at Arkansas, and was mostly used as an off-the-ball linebacker. Harris finished his collegiate career with 371 tackles, seven and a half sacks, and four forced fumbles. His senior season he was named All-SEC second team. The linebacker group for the Patriots is filled with question marks, so who knows how it’ll play out. Harris will duke it out with Cassh Maluia, Derek Rivers, and Shilique Calhoun for a position as an inside linebacker. It’s tough to predict how the linebacker position will unfold, but if Harris has a good camp he can easily skate on this roster. The linebacker position is as open as any position on the roster.
As training camp begins to get underway keep an eye on Coe, Murray, and Harris, as they look to make it onto the week 1 roster.