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We have now seen eight practices so far in Patriots training camp (the in-stadium thing doesn't count), so it's a good chance to reset where we see the roster going when it comes to final cuts. Remember, teams can elevate three players every week from the practice squad, with the ability to retain veterans, so it's basically a 56-man roster for a while.
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HIGHLIGHTS
Make room for another special-teamer
LB Jourdan Heilig is making this roster as a special teams-only player ... or at the very least they are going to try and hide him so he can make it to the practice squad. The undrafted linebacker out of App State is just 6-1 and 218 pounds, but he's already on the Matthew Slater Memorial Practice Schedule. In fact, all Heilig does during practice is work out with Slater on a side field - not even looking at the defense. So the Patriots could now potentially have one offensive and one defensive player not actually contributing on those sides of the ball. I mean, of course this is happening.
Last seven out
57. CB Isaiah Bolden: Had him on for a while, but I needed one more roster spot. The only way this kind of move is prevented is if Belichick decides to cut Cody Davis for Heilig. I'll believe that when I see it. Maybe Cody Davis gets a vet p-squad spot. Could see it. In that cause, Bolden is the first guy back in.
58. DT Daniel Ekuale: He's a really good sub-rusher in the Adam Butler mold but there's just not enough room and Keion White has to get playing time somewhere.
59. OG Kody Russey: Has looked really good at guard but you have to gain special teams spots somewhere.
60. LB Mack Wilson: Has been much better this year — and has shown some edge versatility — so I'd like to keep him for depth but I can't. I'm going to protect any offensive spots I can. Bill won't, but I will ... for now.
61. DE Ronnie Perkins: He's had a pretty good camp to this point and you wonder if he might pop late like Josh Uche did.
62. WR Kayshon Boutte: Has started to make some noise so this could change if he keeps stacking success, but there's not enough upside to give him a redshirt spot (he's not that explosive) — and so many teams took him off the board that you might be able to get him to the practice squad. Plus, the Patriots look like they are going to feature the tight ends, so I'm keeping an extra player there (they could keep two at the end of the day) over a receiver.
63. OG Bill Murray: Started out like gangbusters but has faded since the pads were put on. Looks like another practice squad year but don't want to give up on him. The former DT is still learning.
Changes
TE Matt Sokol for Anthony Firkser: Sokol has been better than Mike Gesicki to this point, too.
LB Jourdan Heilig for OT Calvin Anderson: Russey looks pretty good at guard. It's strange he hasn't gotten more center looks.
THINKING OUT LOUD
Guard/center is a weird mix but I can't see them parting with any of the five (I had six for a while) at the moment. It does make you wonder if someone could potentially be out the door. All of that is contingent on rookies Jake Andrews and Atonio Mafi (and Sidy Sow by extension) making steady progress and potentially being starters. They aren't there yet, but you can't rule it out. Andrews has come on in recent days, and Mafi looks like a young Mike Onwenu. Could the Patriots potentially trade David Andrews (age 31) or Onwenu (contract year)? We have a hard time seeing it right now, but stranger things have happened around this place. We'll know a lot more after the joint practices. That's the proving ground for any young player looking to make a move.
The defensive interior is also crowded ... and I had to cut a good player in Daniel Ekuale who I didn't want to part with. Everyone I kept fills a role and I can't see them really parting with anyone. Makes you consider the possibility of Lawrence Guy as a potential cut, and Deatrich Wise as a trade candidate. Again, hard to see it happening but crunching the numbers is makes you think.
56-MAN ROSTER PROJECTION (What Belichick would do, not what I would do)
CURRENT DEPTH CHART
