Patriots Roster Projection 2.0: First Preseason Game Brings Changes
Sign In
&&&&&&&&&&&&
The Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, capturing a convincing victory to open their preseason schedule.
How did it impact the decisions that will be made once New England is tasked with reaching the 53-man limit? We saw at least one battle come to its conclusion, while some other roster hopefuls continued to make a case for themselves.
We liked our first crack at it, but let's make a few changes and reset the roster after watching some real football:
QUARTERBACKS (3)
In: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton IIIOut: Bailey Zappe
Milton vs. Zappe was fun while it lasted, but even just one preseason matchup tells us all we need to know about that competition. Milton is a superior athlete, he found more success with fewer opportunities and it seemed Thursday as if he had better command of the offense as a whole.
We don't have any changes here. If anything, Milton just reaffirmed the belief in him.
RUNNING BACKS (3)
In: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin HarrisOut: JaMycal Hasty, Terrell Jennings
Harris still has the edge in that RB3 competition, but Jennings had some nice moments in limited opportunities against Carolina. It'll essentially come down to who can provide more on special teams, but increased opportunities should allow the undrafted rookie to show how he can bring a different dynamic to the room.
More Patriots
Patriots Roster Projection 1.0: Who’s In Line To Make Team Entering Camp?
by Keagan Stiefel
5 Min Read
Drake Maye Watch: How Patriots Rookie Fared In Brief Preseason Showing
by Sean T. McGuire
3 Min Read
WIDE RECEIVERS (6)
In: Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan ThorntonOut: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kayshon Boutte, JaQuae Jackson, Kawaan Baker, David WallisIR/PUP: Kendrick Bourne
Tyquan Thornton, come on down.
The Patriots have been waiting for Thornton to pop for three seasons, and everything he's done in his third training camp leads us to believe he'll make the team. Boutte is the guy he'll be replacing from our first projection, which isn't necessarily an indictment, but just a reality of where they're both at. Thornton played limited snaps (seven) before getting most of the night off against the Panthers, while Boutte (31) -- despite having a really solid night -- was someone the Patriots wanted to allow to get tape out there.
Bourne's doesn't seem to be getting much closer to returning from injury, so we'll toss him into the IR/PUP category until we get some clarity.
TIGHT ENDS (3)
In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Mitchell WilcoxOut: Jacob Warren, La'Michael Pettway, Jaheim Bell
Wilcox is playing more than Pettway and Bell at practice and in games. It doesn't make much sense to us, but we have to play our cards right in this extremely confusing battle.
It's Wilcox for now, but Bell seems like the kind of guy who could surpass him in a relatively short span.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
In: Mike Onwenu, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Chukwuma Okorafor, Nick Leverett, Calvin Anderson, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, Layden RobinsonOut: Atonio Mafi, Michael Jordan, Kellen Diesch, Liam Fornadel, Charles Turner III, Zuri HenryIR/PUP: Cole Strange, Jake Andrews, Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
We have no idea who will actually start games, but the group of offensive linemen expected to make New England's roster seems fairly obvious.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7)
In: Keion White, Deatrich Wise Jr., Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Armon Watts, Mike Purcell, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.Out: Sam Roberts, Trysten Hill, William Bradley-King, John Morgan, Jotham Russell, Josiah BronsonIR/PUP: Christian Barmore
Barmore's indefinite absence threw a wrench in the Patriots' plans along the defensive front, and it likely will take multiple bodies to fill the role he plays for them when healthy.
Purcell and Pharms are the two guys we've chosen, with the former already getting starting reps despite being relatively new to the roster. Pharms jumped off the page Thursday, serving as the most dominant player on the field at times. It's been a long road, but the 27-year-old finally looks ready to contribute.
LINEBACKERS (8)
In: Matthew Judon, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Joshua Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Sione Takitaki, Oshane Ximines, Raekwon McMillanOut: Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris, Jontrey Hunter, Steele Chambers
Ximines was another dominant force against Carolina, but we kind of saw that coming. McMillan is an addition here, as he brings some legit experience to the inside. Takitaki will be on the team. It's just a question as to whether he'll be ready or to start the season or be on IR/PUP.
Position Breakdowns
What We Saw From Patriots Depth QBs In Extended Playing Time
by Tim Crowley
3 Min Read
Patriots Observations: Did Defensive Front Answer Questions Vs. Panthers?
by Sean T. McGuire
6 Min Read
CORNERBACKS (7)
In: Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marco Wilson, Marcellas Dial Jr.Out: Shaun Wade, Mikey Victor, Azizi Hearn
Wilson, Wade, Victor and Hearn have been duking it out for that final spot in the cornerback room, and the former really took a step this week. New England kept him in a non-contact jersey through the first few practices, but now that he's fully healthy, it looks like Wilson is the leader in the clubhouse for that job.
SAFETIES (3)
In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn HawkinsOut: Joshuah Bledsoe, Dell Pettus, A.J. ThomasIR/PUP: Marte Mapu
Hawkins, Pettus and Thomas sneakily has been the best competition in camp. Hawkins has the experience, but Pettus shows up every day and makes some sort of eye-popping play. Thomas was brought in late, but his arrival seemed to push all three.
The Patriots might find a way to keep both Hawkins and Pettus, but for now, we keep the former due to his fit alongside Dugger and Peppers.
SPECIALISTS (4)
In: Chad Ryland (K), Bryce Baringer (P), Joe Cardona (LS), Brenden Schooler (ST)Out: K Joey Slye, LS Tucker Addington
Slye surprisingly got more opportunities than Ryland in the preseason opener, but we aren't backing down. It's Ryland's job to lose.
More:
Jerod Mayo Uses One Word To Describe Drake Maye’s Preseason
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings