The New England Patriots’ 20-10 preseason loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday night marked a new development in the quarterback competition. In addition to the challenging decisions the Pats currently have to make over the 53-man roster, it creates another intriguing dilemma.
A small injury to the throwing shoulder sidelined starter Jacoby Brissett, but rookie Drake Maye was still making waves. The offensive line was horrible once more, which might make the quarterback selection more difficult.
Before cuts are due on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, coach Jerod Mayo and the new Patriots brass must make some tough decisions on the roster in addition to choosing between Brissett and Maye. So let us make one last guess as to what the roster will include in light of that.
(One word of caution: the Patriots are anticipated to be active in their search for help at tight end, on the offensive and defensive lines, and with the third pick in the waiver wire. Therefore, their roster for the opening game in Cincinnati may differ from what it does on Tuesday when cuts are made.)
Quarterbacks
In: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton
Out: Bailey Zappe
The Patriots want Brissett to start the season as quarterback, based on everything they have said recently. That is due to the offensive line’s poor performance as well as his command of this playbook. Does Brissett’s throwing shoulder issue alter that, though? Probably not, in Mayo’s opinion. Even with the poor O-line, has Maye’s play over the past two weeks been noteworthy enough to disrupt the plan? When Mayo speaks to the media on Wednesday afternoon, the Patriots may decide on a quarterback.
Running backs
Enter: JaMycal Hasty, Kevin Harris, Antonio Gibson, Rhamondre Stevenson
Out: Terrell Jennings, Deshaun Fenwick
There are some seasons when it is simple to defend starting with just three running backs. However, the team is still indicating that it wants to be one of the NFL’s run-happy teams, so it would be prudent to add more depth here. Furthermore, Hasty and Harris both performed well enough on Sunday to secure spots on the roster.
.@DrakeMaye2 ➡️ @kevoharris1 for the games first TD!
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 26, 2024
📺: #NEvsWAS on NBC pic.twitter.com/e64LNCINUg
Wide receivers
In: DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Tyquan Thornton, K.J. Osborn, Javon Baker, Jalen Reagor
Out: Kayshon Boutte, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis, Matt Landers
PUP: Kendrick Bourne
Reagor or Boutte will probably fight it out for the last position here. Reagor receives the nod despite Boutte’s potential superiority as a receiver because of his greater contribution on special teams. The Patriots will be hoping that after Bourne becomes eligible (assuming he is placed on the physically unable to perform list) four games into the season, he can make a quick comeback, given Baker’s poor performance in the second half of training camp.
Tight ends
In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell
Out: Mitchell Wilcox, La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren
It is challenging to decide between Bell and Wilcox. However, neither has truly distinguished himself, so the Pats will probably keep an eye out for cuts at this position across the league. Because of his unexplained injury, it is also uncertain if Henry will have to miss the first four games, which may put him on the PUP list.
Offensive line
In: Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Chukwuma Okorafor, Caedan Wallace, Michael Jordan, Nick Leverett, Layden Robinson, Calvin Anderson
Out: Atonio Mafi, Zuri Henry, Kellen Diesch, Charles Turner, Liam Fornadel
PUP: Cole Strange
Interestingly, Lowe and Andrews, the offensive line’s two non-players, ended up winning the most of the evening. Anderson was the final player added to this prediction following Sow’s ankle injury sustained during Sunday’s match. It is not good that the team promptly ruled him out, even in a pointless game he was probably never going to play anyhow. Therefore, the Pats may need more offensive line depth to keep Onwenu at right guard with Sow perhaps out.
In any case, this paints a dismal image. On Sunday night, the whole group was awful. Leverett blew several snaps, Okorafor had three penalties, Sow was ill, and Robinson was so awful that he probably would have lost his hold on a starting position in the absence of Sow’s injury. This gang is probably in for a hard year ahead of them. Keep an eye out for the team’s activity on the waiver wire.
Defensive line
In: Keion White, Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise, Joshua Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Oshane Ximines, Jeremiah Pharms, Trysten Hill, Daniel Ekuale
Out: William Bradley-King, Jotham Russell, Sam Roberts, Armon Watts, Josiah Bronson
Injured reserve: Christian Barmore
Surprisingly, the Patriots are comfortable with this bunch even after trading Matthew Judon and Barmore’s indefinite absence due to blood clots. It is because Hill, Pharms, and Ximines all had excellent training camps.
It will be intriguing to observe White’s performance in Year 2. Is he going to be a valuable rotational player or a major contributor to this defense?
Linebackers
In: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Raekwon McMillan, Joe Giles-Harris, Christian Elliss
Out: Steele Chambers, Kobe Jones, Christian McCarroll
PUP: Sione Takitaki
The Pats should be fine here despite Takitaki’s injury, which seemed significant at the beginning of camp. Giles-Harris and Elliss were both solid enough. Tavai and Bentley are both excellent, and there are players in the depth who should be useful on special teams.
Joe Giles-Harris bringing the 🏈 the other way
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 26, 2024
📺: #NEvsWAS on NBC pic.twitter.com/mNFClnzoo4
Cornerbacks
In: Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Marco Wilson, Alex Austin
Out: Marcellas Dial Jr., Isaiah Bolden, Shaun Wade, Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor
Either Bolden, a seventh-round pick from last year, or Dial, their sixth-round pick in 2024, were the ones I wanted to keep. However, I decided to use the extra offensive lineman when Sow got hurt. Although Wilson and Austin offer some depth, the success of this squad will primarily depend on how well its top three players perform and whether they remain healthy.
Safeties
In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Dell Pettus, Joshua Bledsoe, Brenden Schooler
Out: Jaylinn Hawkins, A.J. Thomas
Injured reserve: Marte Mapu
The Patriots’ strongest position is likely safety for the second year in a row. Dugger and Peppers are a formidable combination, and Pettus has the best chance of any undrafted rookie to be selected by the squad. Given his skill on special teams, Schooler is also a lock on the roster; the Patriots’ desire for a fifth safety is the only thing separating them.
Amid a dismal rookie season, Mapu, a 2023 third-round pick, raised questions about his growth throughout training camp by not practicing at all.
Specialists
In: Joey Slye, Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona
Out: Chad Ryland, Tucker Addington
I am leaning toward Slye to win the kicking position, despite the fact that Ryland hit his field goal (from 38 yards), and Slye missed both of his efforts on Sunday (although from 64 and 60 yards).
(Photo of Kevin Harris: Peter Casey / USA Today)
