TAKING A SHOT AT THE PATS 53-MAN ROSTER
Defections and opt-outs mean team will have new look
When all is said and done with training camp, a much different one than anyone is used to, Bill Belichick is going to have some interesting decisions to make.
It starts at quarterback. Does he keep two or three on the roster?
And, how many rookies, drafted or otherwise, stick around?
It’s going to be a lot harder for the younger players to pick up the playbook with limited on-field time due to the pandemic, but with so many significant veterans opting out, opportunities certainly exist.
Who will be impacted most by an unusual training camp, with no preseason games, and reduced squads? The Patriots have already seen six players (Dont’a Hightower, Marcus Cannon, Patrick Chung, Dan Vitale, Brandon Bolden and Najee Toran) exercise the option to take a leave due to COVID-19.
Needless to say, it will be fun to see how Belichick pieces together the final roster, and who’s left standing.
Based on nothing more than some educated guesses, given the Patriots have yet to step on the field, here’s my take on how the 53-man will shake out come September.
QUARTERBACK (3)
MAKING THE TEAM
Brian Hoyer
Cam Newton Jarrett Stidham
FALLING SHORT
None
The Herald’s Take: Adding Newton to the mix on a oneyear, prove-it deal certainly adds to the intrigue. For several months after Tom Brady’s departure, the expectation was for Stidham to take over. That was until Belichick brought in the former NFL MVP. If healthy, Newton should win the job and be the starter with Stidham the backup. Of course, with no preseason games, there’s a case to be made for Stidham, who is more familiar with the offense and personnel. Being the backup, however, would give Stidham more time to develop, and perhaps, eventually take the job should Newton leave after the season. Hoyer? He’s the ultimate insurance policy. He might wind up a casualty, but it might be wise to keep him on the chance the injury-riddled Newton once again finds himself on the shelf, or ends up a complete bust. They’ll want a veteran behind Stidham, so keeping Hoyer around makes sense. Undrafted rookies Brian Lewerke and J’Mar Smith were both slashed on Sunday
to cut the roster down to 80.
running BaCK (5)
MAKING THE TEAM
Rex Burkhead Damien Harris
Sony Michel
J.J. Taylor
James White
FALLING SHORT
None
The Herald’s Take: The biggest question here is whether or not Harris emerges to play a more significant role, given Michel is coming off foot surgery. Michel has been rehabbing in Foxboro throughout the offseason. Still, it’s never good when a running back has a foot problem. The feeling here is Harris will see a lot more action. Burkhead might have been a cap casualty, but he reworked his deal, so he’s not going anywhere. With Bolden opting out, that provides room for undrafted rookie Taylor. He’s an intriguing prospect, even at 5-foot-5. The former University of Arizona back catches the ball well out of the backfield. He would have been a practice squad candidate if Bolden had remained with the team, but now earns a spot.
FuLLBaCK (0)
MAKING THE TEAM
*Jakob Johnson
FALLING SHORT
None
The Herald’s Take: This position took a different turn with Dan Vitale, who has a newborn baby at home, opting out. Vitale was expected to play a pivotal role, essentially taking over for James Develin, who retired earlier this year. So who’s left? That would be Johnson, and rookie tight end Dalton Keene, who has some position versatility. Johnson showed consistent improvement in the role after replacing Develin last year, but then he suffering a season-ending injury. With Johnson being a part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, he doesn’t count toward the 53-man roster, hence the asterisk. Keene provides some security, but it’s also possible the Patriots will sign another fullback.
Wide Receiver (6)
MAKING THE TEAM Damiere Byrd
Julian Edelman N’Keal Harry
Jakobi Meyers Mohamed Sanu Matthew Slater
FALLING SHORT
Quincy Adeboyejo Will Hastings Marqise Lee Gunner Olszewski Devin Ross
Jeff Thomas
The Herald’s Take: There might have been a few surprises, but several undrafted rookies (Sean Riley, Isaiah Zuber) have already been cut. Jeff Thomas, another UDFA, remains a wildcard given his upside. With no preseason games, and fewer on-field practice reps, the former University of Miami wideout is still a long shot. Need to see him before making a final assessment. He could ultimately bump Meyers. With a larger practice squad, that’s where many of the rookies will land. As for the top group, Edelman, Harry and Sanu should be considered locks. And, with his knowledge of the system, that gives Meyers a leg up on Thomas. It’s possible for Olszewski to make the team for that reason, too, along with his ability to return punts. But the Patriots need to infuse some new blood at the position. So Byrd gets the nod over fan favorite Olszewski, as well as Lee. It’s hard to know what Lee’s going to be like coming off two major injuries. Even though Slater’s primary role is on special teams, he’s listed as a receiver and adds to the group here.
Tight End (3)
MAKING THE TEAM Devin Asiasi Dalton Keene Matt LaCosse FALLING SHORT
Rashod Berry
Jake Burt
Ryan Izzo
The Herald’s Take: There was some thought of slashing LaCosse, but given the oddness of training camp, with no preseason games to get better acclimated, his knowledge of the playbook keeps him around. He may have only had 13 catches on 19 targets last season, but he understands the offense, which is beneficial. Izzo, however, isn’t spared. Rookies Asiasi and Keene arrive with great expectations, but those have to be tempered by the lack of on-field time and practice reps. They should eventually grow into more prominent roles, as they become more comfortable with the quarterback, and the offense.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
MAKING THE TEAM David Andrews Yodny Cajuste Corey Cunningham Justin Herron Shaq Mason
Michael Onwenu
Joe Thuney
Dustin Woodard Isaiah Wynn
FALLING SHORT
Jermaine Eluemunor Hjalte Froholdt
The Herald’s Take: This one is a little tricky given the circumstances of COVID-19, as well as new rules which would allow the Patriots to stash a few linemen on the practice squad, bringing two of them up on game day to provide depth. Of note, starting right tackle Cannon, a cancer survivor, has already exercised the optout clause, leaving a gaping hole at the position. Starters Wynn (LT), Thuney (LG), Andrews (C) and Mason (RG) are intact, but it’s possible Thuney is moved to tackle given a lack of depth at the position. Cajuste seemed on course for the backup swing tackle role, but is he ready to start? Initially, Cunningham wasn’t on the 53-man roster, but with Cannon out, the tackle is likely in. Ditto rookie Herron. Onwenu, a sixth-round pick, might be thrust into Thuney’s spot at guard, if the decision is to move the starter across the line to right tackle. However it shakes out, Cole Popovich and Carmen Bricillo, who are taking over for the retired Dante Scarnecchia, have some interesting decisions to make.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (4)
MAKING THE TEAM
Beau Allen
Adam Butler
Byron Cowart Lawrence Guy
FALLING SHORT
Nick Thurman
Bill Murray
The Herald’s Take: Guy and Butler are two of the better players on the front seven. Both made their presence felt. Allen basically swaps in for Danny Shelton. He played a similar role at nose tackle for the Bucs last season. Cowart, meanwhile, showed some promise as a rookie last year. He flashed early and will be expected to take it to the next level this season. Murray didn’t get slashed with the initial wave of undrafted players, but it’s still unlikely he’ll make the final cut.
EDGE DEFENDER (5)
MAKING THE TEAM Brandon Copeland Anfernee Jennings John Simon
Josh Uche
Chase Winovich
FALLING SHORT
Tashawn Bower
Nick Coe
Derek Rivers Deatrich Wise Jr.
The Herald’s Take: The Pats really want as much speed as possible on the edge. Rookies Uche and Jennings will help in that regard. Simon has been a steady performer, and somewhat unheralded. He’s done a good job setting the edge. As for Winovich, the Patriots are hoping to get even more of a contribution, after a good rookie campaign. He also brings a speed element. Calhoun, a prominent special teams player, was a tough cut. Same with Wise, who really isn’t the best fit for the system. Maybe he’s kept because he’s a known commodity, but the Patriots probably want to work in some new faces. Strongly considered Coe, an undrafted rookie out of Auburn. He has position versatility. Perhaps he’ll get a foot in the door on the practice squad.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (4)
MAKING THE TEAM Ja’Whaun Bentley De’Jon Harris Brandon King
Cassh Maluia
FALLING SHORT
Terez Hall
The Herald’s Take: Hightower’s loss is huge. That means they’ve lost their entire starting group of linebackers (Hightower, Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy) from last season. Add in Elandon Roberts, and it’s not a pretty picture for this position group. It’s likely the Patriots will pick up a veteran free agent. For now, Bentley is the only returning backer in the room. He should be joined by a couple of rookies. Maluia, a sixth-round pick, makes the cut. He’s an off-the-ball linebacker with all kinds of speed and quickness. Add special teams ability, and he’s almost a lock. Undrafted rookie Harris should also be sticking around, extending the streak to 17 in terms of consecutive years that an undrafted rookie free agent has made the Patriots’ final roster. Even with the lack of on-field reps and no preseason games to make a case, Harris is a perfect fit for the Roberts role. Veteran special teamer King, who spent last season on IR with a torn quad, is kept, especially with Bolden opting out.
SAFETY (5)
MAKING THE TEAM Terrance Brooks Cody Davis
Kyle Dugger
Devin McCourty Adrian Phillips
FALLING SHORT
None
The Herald’s Take: Before player opt-outs, some tough cuts were expected. The safety group might have been impacted, but having
Chung opting to take a leave opens the door for one of the bubble players, be it Brooks or Davis. So now, they’re both in. Phillips, a free agent signee, figures to be part of the solution to make up for the loss of Duron Harmon, who was traded to the Lions during the offseason. Rookie Dugger should get more of an opportunity with the loss of Chung.
CORNERBACK (6)
MAKING THE TEAM
Justin Bethel Stephon Gilmore
J.C. Jackson Jonathan Jones
Jason McCourty Joejuan Williams FALLING SHORT
D’Angelo Ross Myles Bryant
The Herald’s Take: The Patriots don’t have to worry about this position. There’s five returning players from one of the league’s top secondaries. With the unusual lead-up to the season, having this group with all their talent and familiarity with each other and the system is an added plus. Bethel is primarily a core special teams player, and one of the best. The Pats could slash him to shore up another area. But it’s still hard to see him being chopped. Ross was an intriguing prospect last year. Maybe practice squad for him.
SPECIALISTS (3)
MAKING THE TEAM
Jake Bailey
Joe Cardona
Justin Rohrwasser FALLING SHORT
None
The Herald’s Take: With no competition, there’s little suspense with this group. There is, however, a bit of intrigue on a couple fronts. First, there’s Rohrwasser and seeing how the rookie handles the job. The former Marshall kicker has a strong leg. Is he mentally up to the task of kicking in the NFL? With no preseason, we’ll get a better idea after the regular season starts. Bailey had a very good rookie season last year, until tailing off a bit toward the end. A more consistent season will be expected from the punter with a monster leg.