Kelley: Updated New England Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection

The New England Patriots start their regular season schedule against the Cincinnati Bengals in three weeks. They have one more preseason game remaining. New England travels to Washington to play the Commanders next Sunday (August 25). While there are some roster spots secured at this point in training camp, the final 53-man roster is far from finalized. Furthermore, the availability of many players for the start of the season remains a mystery.

This is my projection of the New England Patriots initial 53-man roster (players are listed alphabetically in each group). Worth noting, this is who I believe the Patriots will choose to keep, not necessarily the 53 players who would be my choice.

Quarterbacks (3)

In: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton III

Out: Bailey Zappe

This group appears to be set in stone. Brissett and Maye are clearly atop the depth chart. New England might prefer being able to sneak Milton onto the practice squad but are unlikely to risk losing him by doing so. Zappe is insurance for a potential injury to Brissett, as they definitely like a veteran presence in the quarterback room. Zappe will likely sign elsewhere as opposed to returning to New England’s practice squad.

I am SO disappointed Javon Baker didn't come down with this. What a gorgeous throw by Drake Maye pic.twitter.com/LTQw0sGRfO

— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) August 16, 2024

Running Backs (2)

In: Antonio Gibson, Rhamondre Stevenson

Out: Deshaun Fenwick, Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty, Terrell Jennings

Stevenson and Gibson are locks for the roster. It’s unclear if they will keep a third running back. Last year they did not. I placed Harris on the original list, then removed him in favor of an extra defensive back. The Patriots will likely sign two of these players to the practice squad with the potential to sign one to the 53-man roster once things are a bit clearer after post-cutdown transactions.

Wide Receivers (7)

In: Javon Baker, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton

Out: Kawaan Baker, JaQuae Jackson, David Wallis

Inactive: Kendrick Bourne

If Bourne is healthy enough to play immediately he will be on the active roster and in the starting lineup. However, he has yet to participate in training camp beyond stretching. That opens up an opportunity for both Kayshon Boutte and Tyquan Thornton to make the team. If Bourne is available, Thornton could be the odd-man out. Although he started the preseason game against Philadelphia, Boutte has shown more to date.

GET UP @KayshonBoutte1!!

📺: @wbzsports pic.twitter.com/TKOl5FsdZ0

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 9, 2024

Tight Ends (3)

In: Jaheim Bell, Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper

Out: La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren, David Wilcox

Hunter Henry has been out for the past week with no updates. Austin Hooper appeared to just aggrevate his ankle in practice over the weekend. This unit is potenially in trouble if one, and especially both, of the veterans are out to start the season. It is hard to see Pettway, Warren, or Wilcox making the team regardless of the availability of the others. Wilcox has NFL experience but has not impressed in preseason to date.

Offensive Line (9)

In: David Andrews, Michael Jordan, Nick Leverett, Vederian Lowe, Chukwuma Okorafor, Mike Onwenu, Layden Robinson, Sidy Sow, Caedan Wallace

Out: Calvin Anderson, Kellen Diesch, Liam Fornadel, Zuri Henry, Atonio Mafi, Charles Turner III

Inactive: Jake Andrews, Cole Strange, Tyrone Wheatley Jr.

Anderson began camp as the starter at left tackle. Mafi is coming playing all 17 games with five starts a year ago. He seems to have been passed by Jordan, Leverett, and Robinson for the reserve gauard spots. This is a position to keep an eye on the waiver wire for, particularly at tackle. The New England Patriots are projected to carry four out of camp, with Lowe, Okorafor, and Wallace getting the nod, and Onwenu adding a fourth in the event he needs to move back outside.

If nothing else, the tenacity Okorafor is playing with this preseason shows that he is trying to prove something (which is nice to see). He's playing angry. pic.twitter.com/GAmmqflaa7

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) August 16, 2024

Defensive Line (6)

In: Daniel Ekuale, Davon Godchaux, Trysten Hill, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Keion White, Deatrich Wise Jr.

Out: William Bradley-King, Josiah Bronson, Mike Purcell, Sam Roberts, Jotham Russell, Armon Watts

Inactive: Christian Barmore

Obviously, the New England Patriots would love Barmore to be available for Week 1, but he has yet to suit up since his blood clot diagnosis. Until further notice, having him start the season inactive appears to be a safe bet. Godchaux, Pharms, White, and Wise are all securely on the 53-man roster list. Ekuale, Hill, Bronson, Purcell, Roberts, and Watts battle out for the final two spots here. In two others leap Ekuale and Hill at the final cuts it would not come as a huge surprise, but based on reps at the moment, this appears to be the correct call. Armon Watts not making the team classifies as a major surprise based on how well he looked for Pittsburgh a year ago.

Linebackers (7)

In: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Christian Elliss, Anfernee Jennings, Raekwon McMillan, Jahlani Tavai, Joshua Uche, Oshane Ximines

Out: Steele Chambers, Joe Giles-Harris

Inactive: Sione Takitaki

Once again, Takitaki being inactive is strictly a guess. The regular season is still three weeks away so there is time for most players in the “inactive” category to work their way back. But if he stays out, Elliss slides into his roster spot. Joe Giles-Harris is a tough cut based on how solid he has looked on the field. The rest of the group seems to be set in stone if they remain healthy.

The @patriots blitz gets home.

📺: #CARvsNE on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/A2puiG95W8

— NFL (@NFL) August 9, 2024

Cornerbacks (8)

In: Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial Jr., Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Shaun Wade, Marco Wilson

Out: Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor

There was a 24-year history of how Bill Belichick handled draft picks for the New England Patriots. He was not afraid to cut them. It is unclear if Eliot Wolf will be willing to part with his picks in a similar fashion. Marcellas Dial Jr. might not be ready to play cornerback in the NFL yet, but he was a sixth-round pick by Wolf in April and can contribute oon special teams. With injury issues to Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, and Shaun Wade, the Patriots opt to keep extra depth at corner here. Austin, Bolden, Dial, and Wade are the most likely cuts if one has to go.

Safeties (5)

In: Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins, Jabrill Peppers, Brenden Schooler, A.J. Thomas

Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, Dell Pettus

Inactive: Marte Mapu

Schooler is more of a special teams player than a safety, though he has been getting reps there in preseason. Marte Mapu joins Kayshon Boutte and Sione Takitaki as players I’ve listed as inactive who are most likely to be active to start the season. He’d take the place of A.J. Thomas most likely. This is arguably the deepest group of the roster. Dell Pettus is an undrafted free agent but has looked comfortable at safety and on special teams. Joshuah Bledsoe started and played well against the Eagles. New England might try to trade Hawkins, Thomas, or Bledsoe before cutdowns, especially if Mapu is going to start the season on the active roster. All are legit NFL players.

Former @USFLStallions S A.J. Thomas (#35) had a solid outing with the #Patriots last night, posting 4 tackles (T-2nd).@_ajthomas5 was named to the All-#UFL Team in 2024, working his way into a starting role with Birmingham. Talented defender with NFL caliber playmaking. pic.twitter.com/NxIV3uzQiX

— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) August 9, 2024

Special Teams (3)

In: Bryce Baringer (P), Joe Cardona (LS), Joey Slye (PK)

Out: Tucker Addington (LS), Chad Ryland (PK)

Addington has been solid filling in for Cardona in the preseason games, but the longest-tenured Patriot is unlikely to not make the team as long as he’s ready to go. One of the most interesting battles in training camp has been to be the team’s kicker. Chad Ryland returns from 2023, but struggled last season. Joey Slye has been solid and seems to hold a slight advantage at the moment. The two will likely battle down to the last day before cuts are made. The bet here is that Slye gets the New England Patriots kicker job barring a clear advantage for Ryland over the next week.