Kelley: Pre-Training Camp Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection

The New England Patriots veterans officially report to training camp today. This kicks off the first post-Belichick training camp (though Brian Belichick remains the safeties coach). Executive Eliot Wolf, head coach Jerod Mayo, and the rest of the Patriots brain trust need to widdle New England’s 90-man offseason roster down to 53 before Week 1 of the regular season arrives.

Also Read: Meet the 2024 New England Patriots Coaching Staff

My pre-training camp attempt at narrowing the roster down to 53 (players are listed alphabetically in each group):

Quarterbacks (3)

Jacoby Brissett
Drake Maye
Joe Milton III

In a perfect world, New England could save a roster spot by stashing Joe Milton III on the practice squad. However, that exposes him to waivers and risks losing him. Thus, Milton sticks on the initial roster. Veteran Bailey Zappe is the odd man out here. He can stick around through camp in case another QB suffers an injury. The hope is that he shows enough in preseason games to attract a trade offer (Day 3 draft pick) from another team.

Running Backs (2)

Antonio Gibson
Rhamondre Stevenson

Last season two running backs made the initial 53-man roster (Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott). The Patriots will implore the same strategy in 2023. The battle for the third spot behind Stevenson and Gibson will be decided in preseason. Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty, Deshaun Fenwick, and Terrell Jennings will all get an opportunity to impress in training camp. That third back could find their way onto the roster if New England is nervous about losing them on waivers. Performance will dictate whether a third spot will be warranted right out of the gate. If the Patriots are comfortable they’d be able to bring players back to the practice squad. they will save the roster spot to use elsewhere.

Wide Receivers (7)

Javon Baker
Kendrick Bourne
DeMario Douglas
K.J. Osborn
Ja’Lynn Polk
Jalen Reagor (KR)
Tyquan Thornton

Baker, Bourne, Douglas, and Polk are all locks for the roster. The new regime brought in Osborn, so they like him. He’ll be given every opportunity to make the team as well. Reagor was brought back in free agency and is a solid kickoff returner. That leaves Tyquan Thornton battling JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kayshon Boutte for the final spot. The nod here goes to Thornton for now. However, there is also a possibility of Kendrick Bourne beginning the season inactive and opening up a temporary roster spot for an addition wide receiver. This should be a compeitive room in camp, with the hope that the cream will rise to the top.

Tight Ends (3)

Jaheim Bell
Hunter Henry
Austin Hooper

Henry is the lone lock here, though it’s tough to imagine the New England Patriots parting ways with Jaheim Bell right after the draft. The third spot here goes to Austin Hooper, who has proven himself a capable NFL receiver. However, he needs to outperform Mitchell Wilcox, La’Michael Pettway, and Jacob Warren in camp. New England lacks the blocking tight end that Pharaoh Brown provided a year ago. It is not clear if that person exists in the current room. Warren possesses the size to fill the role and is a UDFA worth keeping an eye on.

Offensive Line (9)

Calvin Anderson
David Andrews
Nick Leverett
Atonio Mafi
Chukwuma Okorafor
Mike Onwenu
Layden Robinson
Sidy Sow
Caeden Wallace

Both Leverett and Mafi took snaps at center in mandatory minicamp. Versatility will be key to securing a reserve role with this group. Anderson will have to hold off Vederian Lowe and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (among others) to secure his roster spot. Atonio Mafi needs to impress as well, coming off an up-and-down rookie season. This group seems cloxe to being set, though the strarting roles have yet to be worked out. There is a plethora of reserves waiting to earn roster spots should any among this group falter in camp.

Defensive Line (6)

Christian Barmore
Daniel Ekuale
Devon Godchaux
Armon Watts
Keion White
Deatrich Wise Jr.

This unit starts the season shorthanded. If somebody outside of this group pops in camp they could earn a spot on the 53-man roster. Otherwise, the Patriots are likely to keep six and take their chances with players clearing waivers. Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Sam Roberts, Trysten Hill, Will Bradley-King, and John Morgan III are all in play for the final spot, though landing them on the practice squad for early season elevations would be ideal.

Linebackers (8)

Ja’Whaun Bentley
Anfernee Jennings
Matthew Judon
Raekwon McMillan
Sione Takitaki
Jahlani Tavai
Joshua Uche
Oshane Ximines

Many of the same faces return from 2023. This is a very solid group for the New England Patriots. The reserves here will also face the task of special teams work. McMillan, Takitaki, and Ximines all project to be core special teams players. The real question with this group at the moment is whether Judon will still be with the Patriots when the season begins. Heading into the final year of his contract, there have been indications he’d prefer a trade to playing out his last year in New England. Stay tuned.

Cornerbacks (7)

Alex Austin
Marcellas Dial Jr.
Christian Gonzalez
Jonathan Jones
Marcus Jones (PR)
Shaun Wade
Marco Wilson

I wanted to keep Isaiah Bolden on the 53-man roster. He is an excellent athlete and potential core special teams player. He is player 54 on a 53-man roster however. If anyone falters, and he performs as I believe he is capable of, do not be surprised to see him in uniform Week 1. The ideal of bringing in a veteran cornerback (there are still plenty on the open market) remains a possibility if this unit struggles in camp. Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones are roster locks, with Marcus Jones likely close to a sure thing as well. But beyond the starters, everyone needs to prove themselves all over again.

Safeties (4)

Kyle Dugger
Jaylinn Hawkins
Marte Mapu
Jabrill Peppers

Dugger and Peppers played nearly 100% of the defensive snaps a year ago. Maput is a hybrid linebacker-safety, though he has the athelticism to be a difference maker on the field. He showed improvement as the 2023 season progressed after struggling early, particularly in coverage. Dell Pettus was the first undrafted free agent signed by New England, so don’t be surpsrised if he gets a long look in camp to try to make the team.

Special Teams (4)

Bryce Baringer (P)
Joe Cardona (LS)
Joey Slye (PK)
Brenden Schooler (ST)

Baringer is solidified to return as the Patriots punter. He was solid as a rookie and hopefully makes a leap in year two. Joe Cardona is secure in his role as well. New England did not bring in any other long snappers to compete. The lone competition here will be between placekickers Chad Ryland and Joey Slye. Since Ryland can be chalked up to a Bill Belichick mistake if Eliot Wolf opts to move on, there is little benefit in being the incumbant in this battle. This one will definitely be decided in camp. For now, Slye gets the nod.

As the Patriots Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals approaches, there will be updates and projections. For now, this is a best guess at who will be on the New England Patriots initial 53-man roster. It might not be Super Bowl worthy, but it looks better than a 4-13 roster from this perspective.