So it's all done: the Patriots have completed the cut to 53. In no particular order, here are a few thoughts about where the roster stands right now.
1. Surprised that offensive lineman Ted Karras didn't make the cut. He had been playing well over the course of the summer, and was projected to be a top option along the interior. Barring some sort of health issue, it would be a surprise if someone didn't pick him up. Good locker room guy who is versatile and cost effective.
2. Looks like the Patriots will hold their breath and hope that the likes of Austin Carr, Kenny Moore, and D.J. Foster will somehow make it through waivers to get to the practice squad. It's always something of a dicey proposition -- they gambled and lost on Kamu Grugier-Hill last year when he was plucked away by the Eagles. You can bet there will be some roster drama on Sunday.
3. We've written this on multiple occasions, but it bears repeating: just because someone makes it through this round of "final" roster cuts, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll make it to the opener. With more than 1,000 guys on the street, there are bound to be plenty of moves between now and the opener that would represent an upgrade from some of the guys at the back end of the roster we have listed below. The Patriots have never been shy about making moves in the time span between cutdown day and the kickoff to the regular season. This year will be no exception.
4. Would not be shocked at all if, given the fact that they now only have two quarterbacks, they add a signal-caller to the practice squad.
5. Five rookies made the roster, an impressive total given the fact that, at least initially, it was believed that there would be few roster spots up for grabs. But they all came by it honestly, with guys like Deatrich Wise and Adam Butler, in particular, looking really impressive over the full course of the summer. They earned the right to land on the final 53, and the undrafted rookies like Butler have an excellent shot at keeping the franchise streak alive of having an undrafted rookie make the opening day roster — that string now stands at 13 and (maybe) counting.
6. Still not completely sure what they're going to do when it comes to punt return work. Maybe that will be part of the team-building game plan for Sunday. But right now, there's no slam-dunk option for the Patriots heading into the opener against the Chiefs.
7. Speaking of Sunday, that's when the practice squad comes together. Here's a look at some of the guys who they cut who have p-squad eligibility: Foster, Darius Kilgo, Karras, Woodrow Hamilton, Devin Lucien, Will Likely, Connor McDermott, Glenn Gronkowski, James Ferentz, Trevor Bates, Geneo Grissom, Carr, Moore and Cody Hollister. The Patriots would love to get a few of these guys through waivers on Sunday.
8. If Dorsett can quickly wrap his head around the playbook, with Brandin Cooks and Chris Hogan —as well as Dion Lewis and James White alongside them — this could be the fastest offense of the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick Era.
9. Summertime positional battle winners? Jacob Hollister wins the fight for the third tight end spot over a field that included James O'Shaughnessy and Matt Lengel. The swing tackle battle was a draw between LaAdrian Waddle and Cam Fleming. And Eric Rowe is now positioned as the third corner on the team.
Anyway, here's a look at how the last day-plus went down.
Saturday, 8:41 p.m.: The Patriots also placed Julian Edelman, Cyrus Jones and Derek Rivers on injured reserve and Andrew Jelks and Keionta Davis on the non-football injury/reserve list. They also added Tony Garcia to the reserve/non-football illness list.
Saturday, 8:40 p.m.: So without further ado, here are your 2017 Patriots … at least for now.
Offense (23)
QB: Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo
RB: Mike Gillislee, Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead, James White, James Develin
TE: Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen, Jacob Hollister
WR: Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola, Malcolm Mitchell, Phillip Dorsett
OL: Nate Solder, LaAdrian Waddle, Cameron Fleming, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon, Cole Croston
Defense (24)
DL: Trey Flowers, Deatrich Wise, Cassius Marsh, Malcom Brown, Alan Branch, Adam Butler, Lawrence Guy, Vincent Valentine
LB: Dont’a Hightower, Shea McClellin, Kyle Van Noy, David Harris, Elandon Roberts, Marquis Flowers, Harvey Langi
CB: Stephon Gilmore, Malcolm Butler, Eric Rowe, Jonathan Jones, Johnson Bademosi
S: Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Pat Chung, Jordan Richards
Special Teams (6)
Stephen Gostkowski, Ryan Allen, Joe Cardona, Matthew Slater, Brandon King. Nate Ebner
Saturday, 7:38 p.m.: We're still waiting for the final 53-man roster, but in the meantime, we're getting some of the final moves, including the news that offensive lineman Cole Croston has made the final roster.
Great story: Undrafted ex-Hawkeye OL Cole Croston has made the New England Patriots' 53-man roster.
— Chad Leistikow (@ChadLeistikow) September 2, 2017
One more trade update: In return for DE Cassius Marsh, Seahawks are receiving 5th- and 7th-round picks from New England, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2017
Patriots get '18 7th-rounder from SEA (original PHL pick) for CB Justin Coleman. Replaces '18 7th-rounder they traded for LB Marquis Flowers
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 1, 2017