Road to 53, v. 19.01: Injuries make things easier for now, but some really tough decisions coming

Let's be honest and clear up front: the current PUP/NFI lists for the Patriots make getting down to 53 fairly easy right now. Of course, there will still be some controversy as I'm projecting two trades.

Once those players come back before the season — if they do, in some cases (Demaryius Thomas) — things get a heckuva a lot harder to project on a roster that I'm already on record saying could rival the 2014 squad (you know, the one that finally broke the title drought) in terms of talent.

We'll get to the possible roster moves once each player comes off of PUP/NFI, but, first, let's start with my initial projection and list the last five players out, last five in and some of the players I wanted to put on the team but couldn't.





TRADES

LB Elandon Roberts, CB Jonathan Jones: Might as well make the same comment about both of them. Look, they are good players whom I like. But their positions (without injuries) are just stacked and someone has to go at each spot. Why not get something for each of them? I've heard the argument that Jones will net them a third-round comp pick next year and are the Patriots really going to get that now? Maybe, but I'm not sure Jones will get that big of a contract. Is he going to be viewed as Logan Ryan? Maybe, but I have my doubts, especially with his injury history — Ryan was so durable. The important thing is the defense is deep and the Patriots need to get something right now, maybe even a player (how about both to the Bengals for TE Tyler Eifert, if he looks healthy?).

LAST FIVE OUT

Edge Derek Rivers: Don't have any more time to wait for the 2017 third-round pick before he goes the way of Jake Bequette. Rivers needs to flash and flash early for a shot. Maybe they can trade him to a 3-4 team for a late-round pick.

WR Jakobi Meyers: The receiver position is one that is very fluid due to injuries, and this UDFA may be the beneficiary of that if other guys are missing time with hamstring pulls. Right now, I think the Patriots want more sure things for Brady to throw to, so that means Meyers may have to be a hefty signing to the practice squad.

OG/C Brian Schwenke: Has always been a solid player and may have knocked Ted Karras off the roster last year if Schwenke stayed healthy. Has been beat up a lot.

LB Calvin Munson: Have a feeling this could be one of the fan favorites of the preseason. The former Giant could be the Roberts replacement.

LB Christian Sam: Like Rivers, Sam needs to flash early. Was hurt last year but he has the type of speed the Patriots are lacking at the position. Could stick. But Collins' arrival makes it very crowded.

LAST FIVE IN

OG/C Ted Karras: Steady Teddy lives on ... and someone needs to record the Ted Talks for the team's social media.

OT Dan Skipper: I may be way off on this guy, but he caught my eye in minicamp (without pads so...) and I think he has a chance to supplant Croston as the backup tackle.

WR Phillip Dorsett/Dontrelle Inman: This is strictly a competition. Best man stays. I hope it's Dorsett, who has been underappreciated by this coaching staff.

NT Danny Shelton: If he finally learned how to two-gap after his midseason benchings last year, then he has a chance to be a nice depth run stuffer for this group.

S Obi Melifonwu: An unbelievable athlete, but does he know how to play the game without thinking? I have my doubts.

WANTED TO PUT THEM ON BUT COULDN'T

LB Calvin Munson: I'm going to get stoned for saying this, but the San Diego State product reminds me of a very poor man's Tedy Bruschi. Just knows how to play and is smart as a whip. Can play a lot of different positions.

TE Andrew Beck: The UDFA has an outside chance at being the first H-back on this roster in a while. Can play a little TE and fullback. May be the best blocker of the group when all is said and done.

ACTIVE LIST SWAPS IF PLAYERS RETURN (AND ARE EFFECTIVE) BEFORE SEASON

Offense IN — Sony Michel, Josh Gordon, Yodny Cajuste, Ben Watson, Cole Croston.

Offense OUT — Phillip Dorsett, Ryan Izzo, Dan Skipper, Ted Karras, Croston.

Pretty even exchanges here outside of Croston. I just can't see him making this team if Cajuste has to be on the 53.

Defense IN — Deatrich Wise, Nate Ebner, Ken Webster.

Defense OUT — Keionta Davis, Ebner, Webster.

The Patriots didn't just bring Terrence Brooks here to add another special teams-only guy. They signed him because he was a more durable upgrade over someone, and that player was/is Ebner. It's been a good run for the rugby dude. But it's time to get younger and more durable. Plus, it's not like the Patriots' special teams were good last year.

It's either Davis, another BB favorite (like Ebner), or Danny Shelton. Just think Shelton is more valuable as an interior backup. But, Byron Cowart may make Shelton expendable.

Webster faces the longest odds of any draft pick.