Having already dealt with the returns of Demaryius Thomas and Josh Gordon in the last version, we had already done most of the heavy lifting and bloodletting when it comes to this roster.
But it's still highly competitive.
Two players the Patriots just released — Maurice Harris and Mike Pennel — are NFL players and will play elsewhere this season (if Harris isn't on the Patriots' injured reserve). That doesn't mean they were going to be good here, but they have talent. So do the players left behind. But you can't keep everyone.
Let's get into our latest version of the 53 – with one more to come shortly after the preseason game — and then explain some decisions.
But, in general, I feel good about this version. I like the perfect balance (25-25-3). I like the depth at all the spots and the balance between youth and experience. That means, of course I'm way off.
On to the 53...
CHANGES
Coming and going
RB Robert Martin and OLB Scooby Wright added to the roster and released. They're here to get the Patriots through the preseason finale.
Brandon King to IR, Keion Crossen back in
It would be easy just to put Elandon Roberts (still see him being traded), Calvin Munson or Christian Sam back on the roster (they're all linebackers, like King) but none of them is primarily a core special teamer like King. Crossen is. Watching his ability on the edge at punt return and punt coverage from the press box level on Thursday drove home the point that Crossen puts the special in special teams. He is so fast ... he could very well be the heir apparent to Matthew Slater as gunner extraordinaire. Plus, the Patriots have Kyle Van Noy and John Simon (or even Chase Winovich) as players who can fill behind the somewhat thin numbers at inside linebacker.
I still wouldn't rule out a cornerback trade, but I'm having a harder time predicting which player. Maybe the Patriots cut their losses with Duke Dawson, who has not shown enough improvement this summer to me. If the coaches are of the same mind, he could be gone.
Phillip Dorsett in, Braxton Berrios out
That Tom Brady relied on Dorsett so much in the Panthers game underscored his value in this transitional passing offense ... so of course, Bill Belichick will probably release him (imagine if Belichick and Josh McDaniels were like, "Tom may not like it, but we're force-feeding Jakobi Meyers to him. Screw it, release Dorsett.")
I'm hoping Berrios is healthy so he can play on Thursday night, because he might be one of the few players who can earn a roster spot in that game. With everyone coming back (and, no, I don't think Demaryius Thomas is a lock but he could be the David Harris Memorial Roster Spot guy), I'm back to thinking Berrios isn't all that special and could very well go unclaimed and back on the practice squad.
And the hardest one... Duron Harmon in, Brian Hoyer out
I still don't think Harmon is a lock for this team but I have no clue what's going on with Obi Melifonwu, and he didn't grab a spot this summer. I would still like to see a lot more of Terrence Brooks than Harmon on defense, but there's something to be said for keeping the core together for one more run. Harmon is, at the least, a solidifier in the back end, and he seemed to play more aggressively in this past game — probably as a direct result of Brooks hammering people against the Titans.
As for Hoyer, this is more about Jarrett Stidham showing a lot more this summer than we anticipated. He's far from perfect, but there's no reason to think he's not at least as capable as Jimmy Garoppolo was when he was a rookie — he was the lone backup then. I know Brady is a lot older now and the Eagles showed you how valuable a veteran like Nick Foles can be, but I think the Patriots can win a lot of games with Stidham and, of course, McDaniels' stewardship.
I do not think Hoyer has much trade value, unless someone is willing to do Belichick a favor (a trade would save the Patriots more money than a release). No team has ever traded for Hoyer. Only one team, the Cardinals in 2012, have ever claimed. Suddenly now, at 33 (he'll be 34 in November), Hoyer has value? The Patriots might think he'll go unsigned and hope he's available in the event of the worst-case scenario — when Stidham would still be the starter.
Other thoughts:
- The Derek Rivers/Shilique Calhoun injuries are the biggest swing spots in my mind. They could keep both, one or none. And that would have a trickle-down effect on LB and someone like Deatrich Wise. If one goes, Wise could be first up. I still don't see a fit for him in this defense.
- I don't think Lance Kendricks makes this team, even with the suspension. If I had to go with one tight end until Ben Watson returns, it would be Ryan Izzo.
- Adam Butler could also be shopped. Would be more of a trade to a 4-3 team.
- If there's one player I'd like to keep around, it's Calvin Munson. Dont'a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Ja'Whaun Bentley and Kyle Van Noy are not the most durable people and Munson could fill any spot. Plus, he plays like a future special teams captain. Maybe he's Nate Ebner's swap if the veteran goes (I think that is less likely now with King going on IR; Belichick might go into convulsions without two of his ST binkies ... one, OK, but not two).