As of this moment, the Patriots are practicing so we have a sense of the Patriots' initial roster and practice squad. They still have one or two moves to make depending on the health status of Tyquan Thornton and/or Ty Montgomery.
For now, this is where they stand:
BEDARD'S THOUGHTS, GAME REPORT STYLE
Everything you need to know from the Patriots roster cutdown, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Belichick goes defense/special teams heavy (shocker): Not a fan of the Patriots keeping extra defenders (25 defense, 22 offense), but that's typical Bill Belichick. When in doubt, when it comes to the draft or roster, he stays with what he's most comfortable with. Many coaches are like that. The Patriots need more help on offense. You can make a real argument the Patriots have too much at safety and at edge/end. I bet the Patriots underrated what Joshuah Bledsoe would do this summer, and are kind of having buyer's remorse on Jabrill Peppers, but guaranteed him $1.35 million. Of course, the Patriots kept three special teams-only players (Matthew Slater, Cody Davis and Brenden Schooler), and you could make the argument that LB Jahlani Tavai is a fourth. Sigh.
TE Devin Asiasi only player claimed: That Patriots only had one player, Asiasi, claimed and that will likely be temporary. The Bengals are grasping at straws at TE — they're having OJ Howard in for a visit and are likely to sign him — so Asiasi seems like a CYA tryout scenario.
Claims/trades (Patriots had none of those either) are a good indicator of the talent level on your team. At times in the past, the Patriots would have several players claimed after cutdowns or they would swing trades from the strength of their depth. Those days are long over. The Jets had seven players claimed.
Belichick agrees practice squad is overrated: Take it away, Coach — "The practice squad is the practice squad. It's a way to keep some additional players around to help you practice and possibly develop. I would say you're talking about the, well it's 60th to the 70th players, I don't know how many of those players have a dramatic impact on any team in the league year in and year out. Do they provide some depth? Yes. Do they develop into big players? I'm not sure how many would fall into that category. My guess is not very many. But there are probably a couple here or there. So I think a lot of those, the end of it isn't overly significant. But it's part of your roster, and management, and practicing and fundamentally working through your team."
Bedard's misses: When it comes to looking at what I projected compared to what the Patriots actually did, most of the decisions came down to flavors of ice cream at similar positions — and the Patriots always favored players they spent draft picks on (their own picks or trade):
Patriots took sixth-round Chasen Hines over SFA Arlington Hambright at G — I preferred that Hambright had OT versatility, and I thought he was better right now. Hines definitely has upside and nice feet, but he had only been healthy for about two weeks. I hadn't seen enough. Patriots went with their draft pick.
Patriots took sixth-round DE Sam Roberts over UDFA DT LaBryan Ray: Like Roberts' upside and wanted to keep him, but decided to keep Ray over Roberts for the last roster spot. Patriots went with their draft pick. For me, Roberts is a backup to Deatrich Wise ... which is a questionable position/need in this defense. To me, Ray is the only young sub-rusher DT on the roster (like Adam Butler), and I valued that more. If Barmore goes down, who's going to take his spot? You're left with only Roberts and moving an end over. I think Ray is better than anyone they can kick inside (Wise, Roberts).
Patriots kept Cody Davis over Justin Bethel (for now) on special teams: Who really cares? I went with Bethel as a gunner and figured Schooler could replace Davis. That's enough time talking about special teams, which dwindle in importance every year in the game but not in Foxborough.
Patriots kept CB Shaun Wade over RB JJ Taylor: I didn't think the Patriots would leave themselves so short initially on offense and RB, but perhaps Montgomery won't miss much time (medical decision). Wade was on my list of Last Five Out, but I'm still in the same spot — if it came down to it, I would play Jack Jones over Wade, who showed up in games but not all that much in practices. In that case, what is the point of keeping Wade? You could make the argument it's only because the Patriots used a fifth-round pick in a trade from Baltimore. Wade is fine for now, but the Patriots better be trying to find better. Keeping Wade is part of the CB depth discussion. I maintain they are all slotted one spot too high and lacking a No. 1 corner. That includes Wade, who would be released in a normal year.
SECOND GUESS
I can't help but wonder how this roster would look if the Patriots:
- Re-signed JC Jackson;
- Not traded Shaq Mason;
- Drafted a LB early instead of a guard (Patriots were obviously banking on the released Cam McGrone).
If Jackson is here and you used the first pick on a LB — and/or got an OT to give you a real alternative to Trent Brown or Isaiah Wynn — I'd feel pretty good about this group.
THREE UP
Best decisions...
Edge DaMarcus Mitchell: Sort of the next Trey Flowers. Good move keeping him after he made a move. Could pay off.
S Joshuah Bledsoe: Has best chance to replace Devin McCourty. Kyle Dugger, to this point, is more of a 2-down player.
DT Carl Davis: No one else cares except me, but underrated move keeping him because he might be the best two-gapper on the line — better than the guy they extended (Davon Godchaux).
FOUR DOWN
LB Jahlani Tavai: There's no way he won a spot on this team. The coaches always have one or two blindspots every year, and Tavai is it this year.
Only four interior offensive linemen: The practice squad is sure to be a factor here, but don't like that Hines, a rookie project, is the only interior option because Cajuste and/or Herron really can't play guard. Bit of a risk there.
DT LaBryan Ray: Better hope he doesn't get signed off the practice squad. Has a chance to be Adam Butler or better.
QB Bailey Zappe: Did they really need to keep him? Even if he gets claimed, you couldn't find someone close to him?
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
Somewhat of a youth movement ... but to what end? The Patriots have kept 10 rookies, including two undrafted free agents. But how many really have impact-upside at any point?
LG Cole Strange: Will start, but you could argue he needs to develop for at least half a season.
WR Tyquan Thornton: Injury will hurt his progress but like what he's doing.
CB Marcus Jones: Will help in punt returns (however many there are), but small and ceiling doesn't seem high on defense.
CB Jack Jones: Could be a starter with more strength.
RB Pierre Strong: Not ready as a rookie.
QB Bailey Zappe: Longshot to be an NFL starter.
DE Sam Roberts: Ceiling is being Deatrich Wise. Not a high bar.
OG Chasen Hines: Incomplete picture at this point ... could be a starter down the line.
UDFA ED DaMarcus Mitchell: Ceiling is Trey Flowers, but that's a big projection.
UDFA STs Brenden Schooler: It's special teams.
Not a very high ceiling, overall, for this group.
Really fearful at cornerback and linebacker: At CB, everyone is slotting at least one spot ahead from where they should be. At linebacker, they have scheme guys but not much impact. I do like their group on the defensive line from top to bottom. The offensive line starters are solid but little depth. Receivers are solid, but limited upside. Very thin at tight end.