FOXBORO, Massachusetts — Though it may not have been the most thrilling game, the New England Patriots’ preseason victory on Thursday raised questions about why neither Drake Maye nor the starting offense played more. Nonetheless, it was a useful chance to assess individuals who were around the roster bubble.
Making difficult choices is necessary at wide receiver, tight end, running back, and throughout the defense.
Here is our first 53-man roster forecast since the start of training camp to help you assess the situation as it stands.
Quarterbacks
In: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton
Out: Bailey Zappe
The most permanent position is arguably quarterback. If there are no injuries, this is most likely how it will seem. Zappe loses out to Milton for the No. 3 quarterback position, and despite the fact that his potential is far greater, Milton deserves the position. What will be more intriguing to watch is how much Maye plays in the next several days and if he gets an opportunity with the starting offense. This is a big week for Maye and the others, according to coach Jerod Mayo, as the Philadelphia Eagles stop by for a combined practice on Tuesday. The teams will then play a preseason game on Thursday, when Maye, according to Mayo, will play multiple series.
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Running backs
In: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris
Out: JaMycal Hasty, Terrell Jennings
The fact that I am only keeping three running backs bothers me. Furthermore, I am not sure which depth back should be selected for the last place. Considering how much the Patriots are anticipated to run the ball coming season, that is particularly concerning. Although Jennings’ stat line against the Panthers was the best (six carries for 38 yards), his speed still worries me. So Harris wins out for the time being.
Tight ends
In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell
Out: Mitchell Wilcox, Jacob Warren, La’Michael Pettway
Sadly for the Patriots, nobody has distinguished themselves to be the number three player. Bell has a lot of potential but has not stayed healthy, Wilcox has struggled with drops in the passing game, and Pettway and Warren have shown patchiness. In the preseason game, Wilcox had the most of the reps, but Bell would be my choice for a rebuilding squad.
Wide receivers
In: Kendrick Bourne, K.J. Osborn, Demario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Tyquan Thornton
Out: Jalen Reagor, Kayshon Boutte, JaQuae Jackson, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis
This is where the hard part starts. Bourne’s recovery from an ACL tear may need him to remain on the PUP list, which is one option that may need to be investigated. That would mean he would miss the first four games, but since he has not practiced yet, it may happen. Another receiver would have a position open if he was on the PUP list. Reagor has the greatest potential on kick returns, but he is out since the Pats appear to have a few other possibilities at that position. Both Wallis and Boutte played well on Thursday, with Wallis recording two successful punt returns. They are following the proper trend.
Offensive line
In: Michael Jordan, Layden Robinson, Calvin Anderson, Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Chukwuma Okorafor, Caedan Wallace, Nick Leverett
Out: Atonio Mafi, Kellen Diesch, Liam Fornadel, Charles Turner, Zuri Henry
PUP: Cole Strange
It is true that the Patriots have a lot of offensive lineman on their roster, but that is where they are while they try to identify their best front five. Jordan, Anderson, and Lowe do not seem like good additions at this time. But maintaining 10 offensive linemen will be challenging given the defensive choices that will come next. Contrary to this prediction, it would not be remarkable if the Patriots only kept 24 offensive players and 26 defensive players.
Defensive line
Enter: Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Mike Purcell, Armon Watts, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Keion White, Deatrich Wise
Trysten Hill, Sam Roberts, Jotham Russell, William Bradley-King, John Morgan, and Josiah Bronson are out.
PUP: Christian Barmore
In the preseason opener, Pharms Jr. was the standout, but Ekuale also had some good moments, and Wise recorded a sack during a play in which the Patriots had just ten players on the field. Both Purcell and Watts are on the bubble for the roster, but I kept both since the Patriots will need to use a committee to make up for Barmore’s snap totals without him.
Linebackers
In: Matthew Judon, Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Raekwon McMillan, Oshane Ximines
Out: Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris, Steele Chambers
PUP: Sione Takitaki
Ultimately, I had to choose between keeping Elliss and Ximines. Because of the quantity of players I desired in the secondary, I was unable to get both. Elliss notched a sack on Thursday and played well, but I decided to go with Ximines since his moments in the exhibition stuck out a little more.
Cornerbacks
In: Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Marco Wilson, Alex Austin, Marcellas Dial
Out: Shaun Wade, Isaiah Bolden, Mikey Victor, Azizi Hearn
Reducing this to five corners would assist because the Patriots will likely keep at least four safeties. However, Wilson, Austin, and Dial were difficult for me to cut, so they were all included in the final version. Austin performed admirably towards the conclusion of the previous season, Wilson had a lot of early playing time on Thursday, and Dial is a rookie that they want to retain and grow.
Safeties
In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marte Mapu, Brenden Schooler
Out: Dell Pettus, Joshuah Bledsoe, A.J. Thomas
The choices are particularly tough because this is the Patriots’ strongest and deepest position group. Schooler’s skill on special teams means he should be on the team. If Mapu is healthy, that leaves you with four safeties (though they could put him on the PUP list, which would free up another position). For Hawkins, Pettus, and Bledsoe—all of whom have performed admirably—that means challenging math. It is likely that only one will survive, and Hawkins is ahead of me.
Specialists
In: Chad Ryland, Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona
Out: Joey Slye, Tucker Addington
It is far too close to call, as Mayo described the kicking match between Ryland and Slye as “wide open” coming into this week. Despite a difficult first season, we will stick with the incumbent for the time being.
(Photo of Terrell Jennings: Eric Canha / USA Today)
