With the Patriots taking a second consecutive day off from the practice field today (pace yourself, fellas), it's a good time to check back in on the state of the roster as they approach the first preseason game on Thursday night. After three padded practices, we have much more data than we had previously, although there is still much left to hash out (the three games and the joint practices with the Panthers and Raiders) going forward.
As a reminder, all NFL teams have the option of, basically, going to a 56-man roster for the first month or two with three practice squad spots available for those that either pass through waivers or veterans who avoid them entirely. We have written extensively about that previously. We're going with the assumption that Bill Belichick is going to take full advantage of that, just like he did last season with the surprise "cuts" of Brian Hoyer and Nick Folk. He now has one extra spot to do the same this season.
While things can and will change, there are a lot of changes on our new 56-man roster, including the release of some recent draft picks who hopefully return to the practice squad for more development. And, as of the moment, we are no longer trading any player.
Here is our new 56-man roster, and then we'll get into last seven players out and some thoughts on where things stand:
NOTE: Yellow is a change from the previous version. Purple is projected veteran cut but signed and elevated from practice squad for the first month of the season.
LAST SEVEN OUT
WR Tre Nixon: As soon as there is an injury or Foxboro flu (would love to redshirt both rookie running backs) he's back on the roster because, to this point, he has earned it. As of right now, Ty Montgomery gives the team coverage to with five receivers.
LB Jahlani Tavai: Have the feeling he's never getting cut due to his connection to Matt Patricia in Detroit, but until there are injuries, I can't find a useful spot for him but he is definitely the fourth ILB right now. That usually makes the team.
OG Drew Desjarlais: Didn't like making this cut and an Isaiah Wynn or Mike Onwenu trade would open up a spot for him. Looks like he can play in the league, but it's still early. He's a better fit for the zone running scheme than Onwenu is, if they stick with it.
CB/S Myles Bryant: A favorite of mine who is smart as hell and can play anywhere in the secondary, but Marcus Jones makes Bryant redundant. Had to go the p-squad route a year ago.
DE Ronnie Perkins: Nope, don't like giving up on a third-round pick from last year this early but the rise of Anfernee Jennings pushes Perkins further down the depth chart and right now he appears small on the field with little impact.
LB Cam McGrone: Buried on the depth chart on the third team, the games are going to be huge for him. Hasn't stood out. Would love to get him on the practice squad for more development.
CB Shaun Wade: The fifth-round pick of the Ravens a year ago was acquired for a 7th (2022) and 5th (2023). He's been OK so far in camp but has slid down the depth chart and has overall struggled to cover. Would like him on the practice squad.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
CHANGES
Moved Ty Montgomery to RB: He appears to be the pass back until some health changes. He's also the defacto sixth receiver.
Cut Nixon: Hate it, but unless the Patriots can trade Nelson Agholor or Jakobi Meyers (doubtful), it's hard to see a spot with Tyquan Thornton making steady progress to earn a real role on this team.
Cut Dalton Keene: If the Patriots want a real H-back, they likely need to poach a roster release. Keene has made zero impact to this point.
Isaiah Wynn not traded: Off to a much faster start to camp than a year ago, and gives the Patriots some comfort should Trent Brown miss time at LT.
Arlington Hambright makes the team: Not only that, but he could push for a starting spot and lead to Onwenu being traded. Fits the zone scheme very well.
Kody Russey does not make the roster: Doesn't look like he'll be the UDFA to make the team.
Anfernee Jennings in, Ronnie Perkins out: Jennings makes an impact every day. Perkins does not.
UDFA LaBryan Ray makes the team: He's the new Adam Butler and he could be a better all around player. Should be a regular sub rusher.
Only 3 ILBs with McGrone and Tavai cut: Just doesn't feel like McGrone is ready physically and he would be a prime Foxboro Flu candidate.
Shaun Wade released: Has gone from starting slot when Jonathan Jones was out to third team when Jones, Myles Bryant and Marcus Jones returned. Coverage issues.
Joshuah Bledsoe in, Bryant out: Both are good players and deserve a spot but only one can stay right now. Still not sure about Jabrill Peppers' spot on this team since he has yet to participate, but we're giving him a spot for now.
(Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Richard Seymour (L) and his presenter Titus Duren unveil Seymour's bronze bust during the 2022 Pro Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 06, 2022 in Canton, Ohio.
NICKEL PACKAGE
1. Congrats to Richard Seymour on his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. He thanked Belichick, Robert Kraft and poked a little fun at Tom Brady during his speech.
“This wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Coach Belichick,” said Seymour, who played for the Patriots from 2001-08. “The lessons that I’ve learned from you set me up for success not just in the game but in life.”
On Kraft: “You showed us that being consistent in the little things added up to big things, always with heart and humanity. RKK, thank you for being a mentor and a dear friend. You too will grace this stage.”
On Brady: "We had a young quarterback but we made it work."
2. Pretty nice debut (for a preseason opener) for Josh McDaniels, QB Jarrett Stidham and the Raiders in the Hall of Fame Game. They raced out to a 20-0 halftime lead against the Jaguars and won 27-11. Stidham was 8 of 15 for 96 yards and had a 12-yard scamper for a TD.
.@Jarrett_Stidham called his own number 🙌
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) August 5, 2022
📺: @ProFootballHOF Game | NBC pic.twitter.com/FzbAMjpkN0
3. McDaniels is getting a little heat for playing RB Josh Jacobs for two series, but he had valid reasons. "I always think it's good for backs to carry the ball in the preseason," he said. "There's a lot of things that happen when you're getting tackled and hit that you can't simulate in practice. I think all our guys had the ball tonight. I think all our guys either caught it or were handed the ball and had to get tackled. We can't really simulate that or rep that in practice." The team declined Jacobs' fifth-year option.
4. I know some people want Tom Brady sanctioned and/or the Dolphins' draft picks for the Patriots in the tampering scandal. There are no NFL rules against players for tampering, they are only against member clubs. And the Dolphins didn't even get Brady, so why should New England get anything? If Miami landed Brady, then some of you might be right.
5. No shock to see Roger Goodell appeal the Deshaun Watson ruling and that he appointed a neutral person to hear the appeal. The NFL is ticked off at the ruling and wants Watson gone for at least an entire season. And the league is in the right.