Kelley: Final New England Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection

The New England Patriots ended their preseason schedule on Sunday night. Their Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals is now just 13 days away. But of bigger immediate concern is finalizing the team’s initial 53-man roster. All NFL teams need to get from their 90-man offseason roster down to 53 players by Tuesday at 4 PM ET.

This is my final projection of the New England Patriots initial 53-man roster (players are listed alphabetically in each group). It is worth noting, that 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

The starting quarterback might remain unknown, but the three players making the roster appear clear. Brissett and Maye continue to battle for the starting spot. Milton is a rookie the team would not want to expose to waivers. That leaves Zappe as the odd man out. New England will likely try to shop him hard to see if they can recoup anything in return for last season’s starter.

Running Backs (3)

In: Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson

Out: Deshaun Fenwick, JaMycal Hasty, Terrell Jennings

Stevenson and Gibson remain sure things to make the roster and lead the ground game. Harris secured a spot with some strong play in the preseason. Some pundits have Hasty making the roster as well, and perhaps that happens. Hasty’s failure to block contributed to Jacoby Brissett getting sacked (and injured) last night. Keeping an additional wide receiver or cornerback makes more sense to me, but Hasty being on the roster wouldn’t be a shock. Jennings showed enough to warrant a spot on the practice squad.

Wide Receivers (7)

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

Out: Kawaan Baker, Matt Landers, David Wallis

Inactive: Kendrick Bourne, JaQuae Jackson

Six of these spots appear locked in. Thornton emerged as a favorite of the new staff, and Reagor brings value as a return specialist as well. Kayshon Boutte remains the one player truly on the bubble here. He flashed some impressive hands in camp but received fewer chances as preseason progressed. Bourne’s absence gives them a month to keep him around and get a longer look before making a final decision. Turner and Wallis, who impressed as a returner, would both be practice squad candidates.

Tight Ends (3)

In: Jaheim Bell, Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper

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

Henry’s health is the only question here. Wilcox could also begin the season inactive based on his injury status. But Hunter Henry returning at some point in September is likely enough to prevent him from being placed on IR to start the season. Like the quarterbacks, this group should have no surprises.

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.

This unit is hard to project because of the health situations of Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, and Calvin Anderson. My personal preference would be to keep Charles Turner III as the backup center. None of the converted guards have shown the ability to effectively play center. New England likely hopes he clears waivers and joins the practice squad.

Defensive Line (5)

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

Out: William Bradley-King, Josiah Bronson, Trysten Hill, Kobe Jones, Sam Roberts, Jotham Russell, Armon Watts

Inactive: Christian Barmore

The loss of Barmore is a gut punch for the New England Patriots. He was their best defensive player last season. He remains out indefinitely following his blood clot diagnosis. The team could keep extra depth here. Watts and Hill both looked like certain bets to make the 53-man roster at different points this offseason.

Linebackers (7)

In: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Joe Giles-Harris, Anfernee Jennings, Raekwon McMillan, Jahlani Tavai, Joshua Uche, Oshane Ximines

Out: Steele Chambers, Christian McCarroll

Inactive: Christian Elliss, Sione Takitaki

The final roster spot in this group would have come down to Giles-Harris and Elliss. Both have impressed in preseason, both on defense and special teams. The head injury suffered by Ellis in last night’s game could enable the team to stash him on the inactive list to start the season with a chance to return. McMillan, Giles-Harris, and Elliss all showed they are NFL-caliber players. New England will try to trade one of Elliss is not going to begin the season out injured.

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

Eight cornerbacks are a lot to keep on the initial roster. However, injury concerns for several players here make it important to keep solid depth. Dial would likely be cut if one needs to be made, but he has contributed nicely on special teams and was the only defensive player drafted by the New England Patriots. It is hard to project how attached to his own picks and signings Eliot Wolf is going to be when it comes to cutdowns.

Safeties (5)

In: Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins, Jabrill Peppers, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler

Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, A.J. Thomas

Inactive: Marte Mapu

After a 19-year streak of an undrafted free agent being on the Patriots Week 1 roster, no UDFA made it in 2023. Pettus starts a new streak in 2024. Both Bledsoe and Thomas showed they are capable NFL players but simply run out of room here. Dugger and Peppers remain the starters. Hawkins did enough to earn a roster spot. And Schooler will stick unless New England moves away from special teams-only players this season. Pettus, Bledsoe, and Thomas are all in contention for one spot here. Stay tuned.

Special Teams (3)

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

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

Baringer and Cardona are going to be on the 53-man roster, barring a shock cut for the veteran long snapper. Slye and Ryland still feels like a coin toss to some degree but it is hard to punish Slye for his two misses from 60+ yards in Washington. he gained the advantage about midway through camp and Ryland has not done enough to retain his job. The Patriots will make calls to see if a pick can be gained for trading either kicker.

New England’s Roster Bubble

Every year before cutdown day the “roster bubble” is discussed. Although camp began with several spots up for grabs, at this point there appears to be only 14 Patriots players truly on the roster bubble: JaMycal Hasty, Kayshon Boutte, Nick Leverett, Charles Turner III, Trysten Hill, Armon Watts, Joe Giles-Harris, Christian Elliss, Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial Jr., Dell Pettus, Joshuah Bledsoe, Joey Slye, and Chad Ryland.

Who will make the initial New England Patriots roster? That answer is coming soon.