Patriots Sunday: Stock Watch for New England’s 53-Man Roster

The New England Patriots began training camp less than two weeks ago. They’ve been practicing in pads for less than a week. But their opening preseason game is Thursday night at Gillette Stadium against the Carolina Panthers. Already, major judgments are being made about Patriots players (often far too early). Even the 53-man roster is beginning to come into focus.

I’m not ready to revisit my entire Pre-Training Camp 53-Man Roster Projection just yet. But there are some areas where the outcomes appear clear. Taking a quick look around the 90-man roster today to point out a few of them.

Starting the Season Inactive

The hope is that every Patriots player is ready to go for Week 1. The reality of the situation is that will not be the case. In my initial 53-man roster projection, I had Cole Strange as the lone New England player beginning the season inactive. I included Kendrick Bourne on the 53-man roster with the caveat that he might be joining Strange. At this point in camp, it appears likely that Cole Strange, Kendrick Bourne, and Christian Barmore will all begin the season inactive due to medical concerns.

While this is unfortunate news for the Patriots, it gives additional players a chance to make the initial 53-man roster. There is an offensive lineman, wide receiver, and defensive tackle who might get an opportunity they would otherwise not receive. The “next man up” mentality certainly exists in the NFL. Somebody needs to make the most of their extra opportunity.

Linebacker Sione Takitaki and offensive lineman Jake Andrews have remained on PUP throughout camp so far. Takitaki was included on the initial roster projection for the Patriots. Obviously, the availability of these five players and all others in camp remains subject to change.

Insurance Policy in Bailey Zappe

As detailed here on Friday, the New England Patriots quarterback situation has begun to take shape. Jacoby Brissett will start Week 1 barring something unforeseen. Drake Maye will wait his turn. Joe Milton III should stick on the 53-man roster. That leaves last year’s starter to end the season on the outside looking in this year.

Bailey Zappe is really just an insurance policy for the Patriots at this point. If somebody gets injured in camp, he can step up. If he performs great in preseason games (he will likely get more time there than he has in practice) he could become a trade option. But if Brissett, Maye, and Milton all remain healthy, Zappe making the roster is a long shot at best. Would he clear waivers? Would he be willing to come back to New England’s practice squad if he did? Stay tuned.

Don’t Sleep on Vederian Lowe

New England has used several offensive tackles in camp already. Training camp started with Chukwuma Okorafor on the left and Calvin Anderson on the right. Then Okorafor moved over to the right side, with rookie Caedan Wallace taking over on the left side. By the end of the week, Vederian Lowe had replaced Wallace practicing with the first unit.

Although it’s still (relatively) early in camp, Chukwuma Okorafor and Caedan Wallace appear to be the only offensive tackles guaranteed to make the roster. But starting spots remain up for grabs.

Vederian Lowe and Calvin Anderson are both in the mix for sure. Despite being on the 2023 Patriots, this is the first full training camp for either in New England. Couple that with a new coaching staff and both veterans have an opportunity to make a positive impression and stick around. Others with more of an uphill battle to land a spot as an offensive tackle on the roster include UDFA Zuri Henry and newly signed Kellen Diesch. Although guards Mike Onwenu and Sidy Sow are both capable of kicking out to tackle, if they remain the starting combo at guard, the Patriots are going to keep a swing tackle on the roster.

Defensive Tackle Competition

The absence of Christian Barmore, however long it may last, has opened up significant competition for roster spots among the rest of the unit. New England brought in two veterans to bolster the unit following Barmore’s blood clot diagnosis. And aside from Davon Godchaux, no roster spots seem secured.

Armon Watts signed with the Patriots in free agency. Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Sam Roberts, and Trysten Hill return from the 2023 New England Patriots squad. This past week the team signed Josiah Bronson and Mike Purcell. Assuming Barmore remains sidelined, there are seven defensive tackles with NFL experience looking to join Godchaux on the New England roster. Defeinitely a unit to keep an eye on.

Ryland Enjoys Advantage Over Slye

One of the true competitions heading into training camp was at kicker. The loser of that battle is out of a starting spot and a roster spot, so the stakes are a bit higher than other positions. As of now, it appears incumbent Chad Ryland enjoys a slight edge over Joey Slye. However, the preseason games (unlike some positions) are a good opportunity to see what the kickers can do with a bit more pressure. The battle between the two will likely continue until final cuts need to be made. But based on what we’ve seen to date, Ryland would be the New England Patriots placekicker for 2024.