PATS LOAD UP ON O-LINE,
Breaking down the 53-man roster
After a flurry of roster cuts and activity Saturday, the Patriots’ preseason work is done.
They have whittled their roster down to 53 players ahead of next week’s regular season. In doing so, they revealed where they see the strengths and weaknesses of their team. More cutting, tweaking and shuffling is on the horizon.
But for now, here’s a position-by-position look at where the Pats stand:
Quarterbacks (3)
Cam Newton Jarrett Stidham Brian Hoyer
Analysis: Hoyer’s inclusion was the only question here, as the Pats have historically preferred to keep two quarterbacks. But since both Newton and Stidham have readily admitted Hoyer’s example and guidance have helped them, he broke the trend. Hoyer is by far the most experienced quarterback in the Patriots’ system, which carries real weight in a room with a new starter and second-year backup.
Running Backs (4)
Sony Michel
James White Damien Harris
Rex Burkhead
Analysis: Lamar Miller and J.J. Taylor fell just shy of making the cut, both undermined by their age. Miller’s slow recovery from an ACL tear kept him off the field too long this summer, while Taylor’s rookie mistakes had him stumbling out of the gates in training camp before a string of solid practices. Still, both should be considered candidates to return, either on the 53-man roster (Miller) or practice squad (Taylor).
Fullback (1)
Jakob Johnson
Analysis: No contest here. Johnson was the best player on offense during certain practices and faced no real competition from Paul Quessenberry, who signed late in camp after spending five years in the Marines. Johnson is ready to be unleashed as the next battering ram in the Patriots’ backfield.
Wide Receivers (5)
Julian Edelman N’Keal Harry Jakobi Meyers Damiere Byrd Gunner Olszewski Analysis: Credit to Meyers for holding on to his job through an injury that bothered him for most of the summer. Olszewski showed the greatest growth of any wide receiver in camp, while Edelman remains the top dog and Harry will aim for a breakout year. Byrd should not be expected to do much more than fight for the No. 3 job, a troubling projection considering the Pats will contend for worst receiving corps in the league.
Tight Ends (3)
Devin Asiasi Dalton Keene
Ryan Izzo
Analysis: The two rookies were never in danger of losing their roster spots, though Izzo surely felt pressure with other tight ends cycling through camp. Fortunately for him, most were either already released or among the earliest cuts Saturday. Izzo is a serviceable third tight end but not much more, so the pressure remains on Asiasi and Keene to perform.
Offensive Linemen (10)
Isaiah Wynn
Joe Thuney
David Andrews Shaq Mason Jermaine Eluemunor Korey Cunningham Michael Onwenu Justin Herron Hjalte Froholdt Yodny Cajuste
Analysis: Ten O-linemen was more than any outside roster projection contained this summer and should be seen as the Patriots indicating they want more time with their young backups. None of Cunningham, Herron or Cajuste managed to create significant separation from the others in their swing tackle competition. Froholdt projects as the backup at center and right guard, with Onwenu at left guard and, in emergency situations, left tackle.
Defensive Linemen (5)
Lawrence Guy
Adam Butler Byron Cowart Deatrich Wise Jr. Beau Allen
Analysis: After sitting out every practice this summer with an injury, Allen is ticketed for injured reserve. His absence should create a roster spot somewhere else, as the Pats’ most frequent personnel grouping only involves two defensive linemen. They remain solid, but unspectacular up front.
Outside Linebackers (5)
Chase Winovich John Simon Brandon Copeland Shilique Calhoun Derek Rivers
Analysis: The Patriots are giving Rivers yet another chance to prove himself as their top pick in the 2017 draft. Belichick has said Rivers is stronger and more explosive this season, which could lend itself to third-down pass-rush opportunities. If not, much of the pressure generation will fall to Winovich, who’s expected to make as large a second-year leap as any player. Simon has shouldered a greater leadership role this year.