Now that their preseason is officially over, it is time for the New England Patriots to cut their roster down to 53 players. They already started on Friday, when they parted ways with 14 players, none of which particularly surprising cuts.
Now, the tough work begins: until Tuesday 4 p.m. ET, they will need to remove another 24 players from their current roster. Here’s my best guess as to what they will do.
In: Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
Not much of a surprise here after the Patriots already parted ways with Ben Wooldridge on Friday. The Patriots will go with Joshua Dobbs to back up Drake Maye and serve as a veteran in the room for the sophomore starter.
As for Wooldridge, the team might bring him back to the practice squad to run the scout team. He was bad Thursday night against the New York Giants, but he can be an adequate scout team QB, unless they feel there is someone better out there. Either way, expect the Patriots to add another QB3 at some point in the coming days.
In: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson
Cut: Terrell Jennings (PS), JaMichael Hasty (PS)
IR: Brock Lampe, Lan Larison, Deneric Prince
No surprises here either. The Patriots should be playing all 3 backs a good amount this year, and the backfield has a chance to be one of the most dynamic the Patriots have had in a long time. Jennings and Hasty both have been with the team before and should stick on the practice squad. Both have shown to be adequate runners when needed, and both play a host of special teams as well.
In: Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III, Javon Baker
Cut: Jeremiah Webb (PS), John Jiles (PS), Kendrick Bourne
There are some tough decisions to be made at wide receiver. The first five have all but locked up a spot, so there are only one, or possibly two, spots available. I had originally thought Javon Baker was close to a roster lock, given his special teams role, but he has since proven himself almost unplayable at receiver. So, I don’t know if he is actually going to make it. However, I think he’s done enough at gunner and other ST spots that he ends up on the roster, even if it’s primarily for special teams.
Ja’Lynn Polk will be placed on IR due to his shoulder injury; keeping him around to try again next year makes sense. Jeremiah Webb and John Jiles have both earned spots on the practice squad, in my eyes, and I would say that Webb has been their seventh best receiver, even though that’s not enough to get him on the 53.
Not sure if Kendrick Bourne is cut, traded, or lands on the injured reserve, but he looks like a long shot for the active roster at the moment.
In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover
Cut: Gee Scott Jr. (PS), C.J. Dippre
The Patriots are basically keeping two tight ends, with Jack Westover primarily playing fullback on this roster. In this scenario Gee Scott Jr. and the recently released Cole Fotheringham will be brought back via the practice squad; Scott for his tight end ability, as he’s been the third true tight end on the roster, and Fotheringham for his role as backup fullback.
I was extremely high on C.J. Dippre before camp started, but he hasn’t really done anything, and hasn’t earned any extra playing time. I think that he is a long shot to make even the practice squad.
In: Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Marcus Bryant, Vederian Lowe
Cut: Demontrey Jacobs (PS), Jack Conley (PS)
I think there is a good chance that the fourth tackle on this team isn’t currently on the roster, and they pick someone up in a trade, similar to how they acquired Vederian Lowe in the first place. For now, however, I have Lowe on the roster as OT4.
Interior offensive line (5)
In: Jared Wilson, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, Ben Brown, Caedan Wallace
Cut: Alec Lindstrom (PS), Cole Strange, Layden Robinson, Mehki Butler
The depth along the Patriots’ interior offensive line is not great. I honestly don’t know who to keep here after Ben Brown as the top interior backup, but I chose Caedan Wallace because he hasn’t been terrible when he’s been out there, and still learning the position after spending his college career at rookie season at tackle.
Additionally, the time has come to move on from Cole Strange. It hasn’t worked, and maybe the 2022 first-round draft pick could become a contributor someplace else. Nonetheless, it is time for a fresh start for both sides.
I only have Lindstrom on the practice squad so he can be the scout team center. Otherwise, I don’t want any of the depth guys on the team — including recently-released Sidy Sow and Tyrese Robinson.
Interior defensive line (5)
In: Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Cut: Jahvaree Ritzie (PS), David Olajiga (PS exempt)
IR: Isaiah Iton, Jaquelin Roy
This group is pretty well-solidified at this point. I thought that Isaiah Iton was making a push for a spot here, but his season ended when he was placed on injured reserve earlirer this week. UDFA Jahvaree Ritzie has shown a little promise out there, and is deserving of a spot on the practice squad.
In: Harold Landry III, Keion White, K’Lavon Chaisson, Bradyn Swinson, Anfernee Jennings, Elijah Ponder, Truman Jones
The biggest surprise here might be Anfernee Jennings. I don’t know if he fits the style of defense the Patriots want to play, but I do know that he is a real NFL player, and the Patriots should be trying to keep guys like that around. There is definitely a chance that they trade him before the cutdown, but I don’t see them cutting him given his abilities as a run defender and solid preseason performance.
Elijah Ponder has played himself into a roster spot, not only by his play on defense but also his special teams contributions.
Truman Jones is probably the 52nd or 53rd man on the roster, but he has shown some flashes in camp, and I think he deserves a spot. This position could definitely change via trade, but this is what I’m rolling with based on what the roster looks like now.
In: Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens
Cut: Jahlani Tavai, Cam Riley, Marte Mapu(PS)
Three linebackers feels a little light, but I haven’t seen much out of those outside of the top 3, so I don’t know if it is worth keeping any of the depth guys behind them.
Former starter Jahlani Tavai has been hurt, but I don’t think he would fit what the Patriots want to do on defense in the first place; I don’t see a reason to keep him around. I also think that the Patriots are going to be playing their safeties close to the line, which means that they won’t be playing with more than two linebackers often.
This is a sneaky position of need for them. Marte Mapu hasn’t had the chance to fully learn the position, so keeping him on the practice squad and having him continue to learn makes sense — if the former third-round pick clears wavers.
In: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, D.J. James
Cut: Kobee Minor (PS), Brandon Crossley (PS), Miles Battle
The cornerback position should be a real strength for the Patriots, assuming everyone can stay healthy. That has been a problem so far this summer, however, which has allowed others to earn increased reps.
Tops among them are Alex Austin and D.J. James, who have both proven themselves as roster-worthy players. Austin, in fact, looks like he could be in line to take the starting nickel role over Marcus Jones.
The depth players here have also made a push, and I could see adding another one or even two guys onto the practice squad from this group. Ultimately, I think Kobee Minor has shown the best coverage ability of the backups, while Crossley just seems to be making plays on the ball while also playing special teams.
In: Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, Marcus Epps, Brenden Schooler, Dell Pettus
I considered writing “everyone but Kyle Dugger” here, but thought that was mean. Not sure if the Patriots are going to cut or trade the former starter, but, at this point, it’s hard to imagine him on the roster.
Everyone else has shown flashes at times, even though Marcus Epps has definitely had his ups and downs. Still, with a defense that is going to play a ton of safeties, depth is going to be important. If the Patriots end up making any trades and their roster looks different, I could easily see Epps not making the team — he’s the 52nd or 53rd player for me.
In: Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby
The kicker battle has been a really close one, and I think that there is a case for Parker Romo to end up as the team’s kicker. However, the Patriots drafted Andy Borregales just this year, so he should have the inside track.
That said, both have been shaky at times in camp and/or preseason, so I don’t hate the idea of trying to keep Romo on the practice squad if he clears the waiver wire.
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