Pats open some holes
Surprises get roster down to 52
The NFL required teams to reach a 53-man limit by yesterday afternoon, but the Patriots did them one better.
After a wave of transactions, the Pats finished the day with 52 players.
The most surprising moves: Third-year cornerback Cyrus Jones was waived. The team parted ways with veteran running back Mike Gillislee, as well. The Pats enter Week 1 with only three offensive tackles and three wide receivers.
This could change, though. Tight end Ryan Izzo reportedly will be placed on injured reserve today, which means the Pats will soon have two open roster spots. They could, and probably should, address receiver and tackle with waiver-wire additions.
Here’s a full breakdown of the initial 53-man roster:
Quarterback (2)
Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer Danny Etling was inconsistent against the Giants, but flashed some wheels on an incredible 86-yard touchdown run that Bill Belichick dubbed “one of the most exciting plays I’ve seen in the preseason.”
The Pats should have no problem sneaking Etling onto the practice squad if they want to keep working with him.
Running back (4)
James White, Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead, Jeremy Hill
Hill beat out Gillislee for the “big back” role. A free agent addition this past spring, Hill separated himself immediately, carrying 11 times for 51 yards in the preseason opener against the Redskins. Once considered one of the best young backs in the league, Hill looked reenergized this summer. He’s down to approximately 225 pounds, which is the lightest he’s been since his sophomore year of high school.
If Michel and Burkhead are unable to contribute early in the season, Hill could be in line for 15-plus carries per game. White figures to see an expanded role, as well.
Brandon Bolden was released, but could re-sign with the team soon.
Wide receiver (4)
Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Cordarrelle Patterson, Matthew Slater, Julian Edelman (suspended four games), Braxton Berrios
(injured reserve)
Will the Pats add a player here? About a hundred receivers just hit waivers.
Some intriguing names are available: Kendall Wright, Leonte Caroo, Nick Williams, Breshad Perriman, Corey Coleman and Braxton Miller.
Caroo was a 2016 thirdround pick out of Rutgers. At 6 feet, 211 pounds, Carroo is a well-built slot receiver.
Miller is an electric athlete who also operates out of the slot.
Wright is the most experienced of the group. He played five years with the Titans and enjoyed a 1,000yard campaign in 2013.
If the Pats are looking for a receiver with punt return capabilities, Williams (released by the Titans) and Isaiah McKenzie (waived by the Broncos) could be options.
Tight end (5)
Rob Gronkowski, Jacob Hollister, Dwayne Allen, Ryan Izzo, James Develin Hollister’s status was never in doubt.
Entering his second season, Hollister seems much better equipped to deal with the physicality of the NFL. He should complement Gronkowski well in two-tight sets.
“He does a good job of taking care of himself,” said Pats tight ends coach Nick Caley. “It’s one year in the system, and he’s got good quickness and works really hard and he’s tough.”
Hollister missed the final two preseason games with an undisclosed injury. His Week 1 status is worth monitoring.
Izzo, the seventh-round pick out of Florida State, made the team, but will reportedly be placed on injured reserve. He’ll be eligible to return after eight weeks. This will free up an additional spot on the roster.
Offensive line (7)
Trent Brown, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon, LaAdrian Waddle, Ted Karras, Isaiah Wynn (injured reserve), Ulrick John (injured reserve)
The Pats opted to keep only three tackles in Brown, Cannon and Waddle. This is a positive sign in regards to Cannon’s Week 1 availability.
Still, it’d be a surprise to see the team head into the regular season without a fourth tackle. The Pats kept five throughout 2017. Cole Croston didn’t show enough to warrant the No. 4 spot. The team also cut veteran Matt Tobin.
Defensive line (10)
Trey Flowers, Adrian Clayborn, Deatrich Wise, Derek
Rivers, Keionta Davis, Geneo Grissom, Malcom Brown, Danny Shelton, Lawrence Guy, Adam Butler Probably the deepest position on the team.
Grissom and Davis are the surprises. A thirdround pick in 2015, Grissom was cut in each of the past two seasons (and eventually worked his way from the practice squad to the active roster both years). He’s an important special teams player.
Vincent Valentine, a third-round pick in 2016, couldn’t crack this group. He has practice squad eligibility.
Linebacker (6)
Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Nicholas Grigsby, Brandon King, Christian Sam (injured reserve) Bentley was a guarantee to make the roster. He’ll compete with Roberts for playing time. Marquis Flowers, who re-signed with the Pats this offseason, was a slightly surprising cut. Flowers seemingly lost his spot to Grigsby, a special teams stud with high-end athleticism.
Cornerback (6)
Stephon Gilmore, Eric Rowe, Jonathan Jones, Duke Dawson, J.C. Jackson, Keion
Crossen
Lots of upside with this group. The Pats have been burned by letting talented young cornerbacks hit waivers, as Cre’Von LeBlanc, Darryl Roberts and Kenny Moore were all claimed in recent years. They didn’t take any risks this time with Jackson and Crossen.
Dawson, the secondround pick out of Florida, missed the majority of August with a hamstring injury. Dawson is “healthy and will be back at practice” this week, a source said.
Safety (5)
Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Jason McCourty, Nate Ebner
Jason McCourty sticks after an interesting preseason. He was moved from cornerback to free safety during the third game against the Panthers, and he remained in the latter position for the finale at the Giants.
Perhaps the Pats view McCourty as an all-purpose backup. He can likely slide in at cornerback should anything happen to Gilmore or Rowe.
Specialists (3)
Stephen Gostkowski, Ryan
Allen, Joe Cardona The punter competition between Allen and rookie Corey Bojorquez never materialized. Bojorquez played as many snaps as Bill Belichick in the preseason.