My first crack at the Patriots’ 53-man roster. I’m working largely off the Bedard blueprint, with the exception of the fancy roster spreadsheets he rolls out in his breakdown. That’s just too fancy for someone like me. Or maybe I’m technologically unsound. Either way, this is how mine will look.
Before I get to it, I will share some thoughts from scouts on the Pats and what they saw after preseason opener.
On Malik Cunningham, the text I got was from a grizzled, veteran scout who deals a lot with the AFC East. It read, “Settle down, Boston.” I laughed. He did later text, writing “He has live legs. No question. But let’s see the arm.” Another scout I reached out to on Cunningham said, “He needs to develop as a passer. That’s one of the reasons (size being another) why he wasn’t drafted,” but he did add, “I’d trust the Bills (Belichick and O’Brien) to give him a package that he could make work.” Another texted, simply, “Why the hell not? I’d rather him as the backup than the little guy (he was referencing Bailey Zappe).”
As for Demario Douglas and his lack of game reps, “They know what they’ve got. They don’t want to show the rest of the league.” I asked if he’d be concerned about Pop’s lack of size (and admission he weighs 180-182 lbs). ‘Of course. It would be better for him if he could redshirt this year and get 10 more pounds on him. But they may not have that luxury.” I talked to an assistant GM who said something that I’ve been pounding the table for over the last few years: “He fits what they used to do, what they could still do. That profile.”
Lastly, asked around on Christian Gonzalez. “How did that first attempt at a tackle taste?” wrote one scout, referencing Nico Collins knocking the rookie backward. “That was one of his negatives. He’s not physical.” Ok, but aside from that? Another said “I wish we took him. He can cover. Who cares whether he’s a good tackler? I want my corners to cover. He can and will.”
LAST SEVEN OUT
- Kody Russey - Might have been their best lineman on Thursday. Position versatility. Would guess they’d like him to stick around.
- Mack Wilson - He’s a better linebacker than Board. I had a hard time with this one.
- Ronnie Perkins - This was the player Steven Belichick spent time with in the pre-draft process. I liked what he was showing in camp, but he got hurt again and it’s just become a numbers game at this point.
- Kevin Harris - I know what it looked like Thursday. I still think he’s got a chance to be a thumper.
- Ty Montogomery - I know they like him. But the guy is always hurt. And go look up his production the last five years? What? Did everyone else get it wrong?
- Kayshon Boutte - Didn’t have any impact Thursday after a nice stretch in camp. I’ve had people say ‘you can’t tell anything based on the offensive line.’ When you just watch the routes, disregarding whether the ball came out or not, he wasn’t crisp. But I’d want him to stick around.
- Sam Roberts - He’s just so damn big. The arm length. An occasional burst.
53 MAN ROSTER
Quarterback (3): Mac Jones, Zappe and Cunningham.
Out: Trace McSorley
This was an easy decision, even if Cunningham is not yet ready to be a contributor as a wide receiver. Plus, there are other McSorley-types out there. You could easily sign one were something to happen to this group.
Running Back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, Ezekiel Elliott and Pierre Strong
Out: Kevin Harris, Montgomery, JJ Taylor, C.J. Marable
- Zeke ends up as Stevenson’s primary backup. Stevenson will end up with just about as many targets as he had last year and stays on the field as your passing down back. Why? Because Montgomery is never healthy and counting on him is officially foolish in my book. Harris ends up on the practice squad, even though I think he's a better player than Strong right now.
Wide Receiver (5): JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton and Douglas.
Out: Boutte, Thyrick Pitts, Tre Nixon and Raleigh Webb
- Douglas would have to do some bad stuff to get booted off this roster. It’s too early to give up on Thornton. That speed can play. As for Boutte, I think they can still end up with him on their practice squad if they want. A bunch of teams had Boutte off their draft board so nothing will change on that front 4 months later. As an aside, Bourne has found an extra gear the last handful of days. Looks quick.
Tight End (3) : Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki and Anthony Firkser
Out: Matt Sokol, Scotty Washington, Johnny Lumpkin
- I’d be out scouring for a 3rd tight end, one that is more blocker than receiver but not a negative in the pass game. Feels like they have the well-rounded guy in Henry, the big receiver in Gesicki and then it’s a pick ‘em.
Tackles (4): Riley Reiff, Trent Brown, Sidy Sow, Conor McDermott
NFI: Calvin Anderson
Out: Andrew Steuber
- Getting the sense Anderson might be close to a return. We shall see. But for now, he’s still on that list.
Interior OLine (4): David Andrews, Cole Strange, Jake Andrews, Atonio Mafi
PUP: Mike Onwenu
Out: Russey, James Ferrentz (Vet PS), Chasen Hines, Micah Vanterpool and Bill Murray
- Mafi is getting a ton of reps in Strange’s absence and hopefully, that will lead to him being a reliable depth piece (at the very least) to start the season.
Edge (5): Matt Judon, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Keion White, DeMarcus Mitchell
Out: Ronnie Perkins
- Perkins was coming on in camp before he got hurt, again.
Interior DL (5): Lawrence Guy, Carl Davis, Deatrich Wise, Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux
Out: Sam Roberts, Jeremiah Pharms, Justus Tavai, Daniel Ekuale
- Could see Davis get more snaps if the Pats end up playing with some lighter boxes because they don’t have a true centerfielder playing safety (McCourty). I accidentally left Godchaux off original list. With him on (no brainer, duh), Ekuale has to go.
LBs (3): Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Chris Board
Out: Mack Wilson, Calvin Munson, Diego Fagot, Olakunie Fatukasi
- I mentioned my thoughts on Wilson. I tweaked the numbers a bunch of times, but couldn't find that extra spot. Injuries could open it up though.
CBs (6): Christian Gonzalez, Jon Jones, Jack Jones, Myles Bryant, Marcus Jones, Isaiah Bolden
Out: Shaun Wade, Quandre Mosely, Ameer Speed, Rodney Randle
- We may learn more about the legal status of Jack Jones this week. I don’t know. I’m not a lawyer. I’d not exposing Bolden to waivers. He's got skills. He may need some time but I like his skillset.
Safety (5): Jalen Mills, Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabril Peppers and Marte Mapu
Cut: Joshuah Bledsoe, Brad Hawkins
- Can’t wait to see Mapu get out of the red, non-contact jersey and see if the speed in which he’s playing with still looks the same when he’s fully padded.
Specialists (6): Bryce Baringer (P), Joe Cardona (LS), Chad Ryland (K), Matthew Slater, Brenden Schooler, Cody Davis
Out: Nick Folk (vet PS), Corliss Waltman, Tucker Addington