Projecting the New England Patriots' 53-Man Roster
Cam Newton will lead the latest iteration of the New England Patriots. (Photo: Patriots.com)
A crazy NFL season is on the way, and rosters must be trimmed to 53 players by 4:00 p.m. ET.
Without further ado, here's how things should shape out.
Note: Every position title contains a link to a brief, but more thorough player-by-player breakdown at the position.
In (3): Cam Newton, Brian Hoyer, Jarrett Stidham
Out (1): Brian Lewerke
Newton was named the starter and a team captain late this week, and Hoyer has pretty significantly outperformed Stidham in training camp.
In (5): Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead, Damien Harris, Lamar Miller
Out (1): J.J. Taylor
Opt Out (1): Brandon Bolden
Michel will start Week 1, as long as he's healthy, and he'll remain the starter as long as he's productive. But the margin for error is more thin than it's ever been, and anyone from top to bottom of the depth chart could realistically emerge to the top on a given week.
In (6): Julian Edelman, N'Keal Harry, Damiere Byrd, Gunner Olszewski, Jakobi Meyers, Matthew Slater
Out (4): Jeff Thomas, Devin Ross, Isaiah Zuber, Andre Baccellia
Opt Out (1): Marqise Lee
We'll see who emerges into the No. 3 spot, but Byrd provides the best combination of speed – which the unit lacks – and experience – including with Newton. That should be enough initially.
In (4): Devin Asiasi, Ryan Izzo, Dalton Keene, Jakob Johnson
Out (3): Paul Quessenberry, Paul Butler, Jake Burt
Opt Out (1): Matt LaCosse
Two rookies with last year's top returning performer sandwiched between, and a fullback to cap it off. Not inspiring, but it should improve as the season progresses.
In (8): Isaiah Wynn, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Jermaine Eluemunor, Yodny Cajuste, Hjalte Froholdt, Michael Onwenu
Out (4): Korey Cunningham, Frank Herron, Tyler Gauthier, Ben Brayden
Opt Out (2): Marcus Cannon, Najee Toran
Eight linemen could be light, but none of the depth guys seem equipped to force anyone's hand. Eluemunor should be the starting right tackle, they invested fairly heavily in Cajuste, and Froholdt is the top interior lineman. Close call between Onwenu and Herron.
In (4): Lawrence Guy, Adam Butler, Deatrich Wise Jr., Byron Cowart
Out (3): Xavier Williams, Nick Thurman, Bill Murray
IR (2): Beau Allen, Michael Barnett
Would've gone with this four plus Allen, but early indications are Allen could be sidelined for awhile longer. Interesting to see what the lack of a nose tackle might mean for the rest of the front seven.
In (5): John Simon, Chase Winovich, Anfernee Jennings, Shilique Calhoun, Derek Rivers
Out (2): Tashawn Bower, Rashod Berry
Rivers was borderline, but this seems like a chance for a breakthrough. This group is likely much more of a rotation than last year. No clarity on whether they'll function as 3-4 ends or 4-3 outside backers yet.
In (4): Ja'Whaun Bentley, Josh Uche, Brandon Copeland, Cassh Maluia
Out (2): Terez Hall, De'Jon "Scoota" Harris
PUP (1): Brandon King
Opt Out (1): Dont'a Hightower
Linebacker by committee could be the approach, which bodes well for Copeland initially. Uncertain on whether Uche is too raw as an inside backer to start from Day 1.
In (5): Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Justin Bethel
Out (1): Myles Bryant
Easy position to predict. The top four play heavily and are extremely effective, and Bethel is a special teams star.
In (6): Devin McCourty, Terrence Brooks, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger, Joejuan Williams, Cody Davis
Out (1): D'Angelo Ross
Opt Out (1): Patrick Chung
Tough to predict where they'll go at strong safety. Three solid special teamers and a pair of second-round draft picks from the last two years, so they should all make the roster.
In (3): Nick Folk (kicker), Jake Bailey (punter), Joe Cardona (long snapper)
Out (1): Justin Rohrwasser
Easy call, even if it's a bit suboptimal. Folk has clearly outperformed Rohrwasser. The only question will be who the kick and punt returners will be. My guess:
Kicks: Damiere Byrd
Punts: Gunner Olszewski
Experience over youth with upside, until it can't be justified. That's essentially the Belichick way in the return game. Likely still see Julian Edelman on punt returns in key situations.