The Patriots announced the following signings to the practice squad, all players who were with the team this summer:
DL Tashawn Bower
DB Myles Bryant
OL James Ferentz
K Nick Folk
QB Brian Hoyer
TE Matt LaCosse
DL Bill Murray
WR Tre Nixon
OL Alex Redmond
DB D’Angelo Ross
OL Will Sherman
WR Kristian Wilkerson
The Patriots have also signed these players from other teams to their practice squad:
QB Garrett Gilbert, Cowboys
FB Ben Mason, Ravens
LB Jahlani Tavai, Lions
Finally, the Patriots claimed WR Malcolm Perry from the Dolphins, and waived LB Harvey Langhi.
As a vested veteran, Langhi can sign immediately to the Patriots' practice squad and be the 16th and final player (for now), or he could be added to the roster when/if N'Keal Harry is played on injured reserve.
Before we get into our reaction to some of the moves, it's important to keep in mind these roster rules carry over from 2020 into 2021. Teams are permitted to:
- Have practice squads that are up to 16 players, including up to six that have more than two accrued seasons;
- Protect up to four practice squad players per week from being signed by other teams;
- Elevate up to two practice squad players to the active roster, without removing any current players, before 4 p.m. ET the day before a game. You can do this twice with a player before they are subjected to waivers;
- Can elevate one additional practice squad player within 90 minutes before kickoff in COVID-19 situation;
- Reinstate players on in-season injured reserve after three weeks, with no limit on the number times they can do it.
The third bullet point is going to be important, for now, when it comes to Brian Hoyer, and possibly Nick Folk and/or Matt LaCosse.
BSJ ANALYSIS
Basically, the Patriots and other NFL teams can have, effectively, 55-man rosters. So for the first two weeks, for example, the Patriots can sign both Hoyer and Folk to the active roster, have them active on gameday (Hoyer as the backup to Mac Jones; Folk as the starting kick over Quinn Nordin), without jeopardizing anyone's spot on the roster.
Take it a step further, if LaCosse takes Harry's place on the roster, the Patriots could have all three veterans active for at least the first two games before injuries hit and provide open roster spots (or they get more data on someone like Perry, who may not earn a spot when he's here for a bit).
I think you'll see something along those lines.
More thoughts:
• I wouldn't hyperventilate about the QB position: Jones is the starter, and Hoyer will be the backup. Jarrett Stidham, who earned more respect from the coaches and players before needing back surgery, will be the No. 3 (if healthy) once he comes off PUP in Week 7. I would expect the Patriots to have a rolling cast of QB3/4 types throughout the season. First up? Gilbert ... yeah, no thank you. And, quite frankly, after Belichick's bizarre press conference today, I'm not ruling out Cam Newton making a return trip to the roster/practice squad at some point. I don't think it's going to happen, but it could.
• Don't rule out Folk being the opening-day kicker: The competition is not over. It's ongoing. I wouldn't be surprised if Folk wins the job.
• I feel much better about TE with LaCosse around: He's not going to wow anyone, but he's a great rock-solid guy to have with the top three tight ends not exactly the most reliable players around.
• I can't believe Myles Bryant wasn't claimed: Other teams made a serious mistake. Bryant is a good football player and I'd be surprised if he wasn't in the league for a while.
• About time Malcolm Perry lands here: The former Navy QB seemed to be destined to come to the Patriots at some point in time. Not sure how long he stays here, but he's got a chance. Fun fact: Between Perry and Jakobi Meyers, the Patriots now have more former college QBs on the roster (two) than they do actual NFL QBs on the roster (one). Expect roster spots 50-53 to be a revolving door as the Patriots get their hands on some players during what amounts to extend preseason (Weeks 1-6) before settling hard into lineups and roles for the rest of the season.
• Tavai has Matt Patricia connections: Was a draft pick of the Lions. Seems redundant with Langhi, but the Patriots will get a look at him and he could either be here, or not. Same goes with FB Ben Mason. Without Dalton Keene, there's really no option should Jakob Johnson go down at a contact position. Mason has a good rep around the league.
• Nobody else really wows me on the practice squad: Kristian Wilkerson had his moments this summer but, really, he could be any 5th or 6th receiver on the roster. That's what you have to keep in mind. There are like 46 real players on this team, and 47-65 are fungible. It's like a baseball farm system. You have some top name prospects, but how many of any of those guys really make an impact? Great when they do — and there always a few unicorns — but the amount of attention paid to practice squad players far outweighs the actual payoff. If a team really thinks a player has talent, he's on the roster so he can't be stolen.