My third crack at the 53.
Not enough time to get some scouting intel. Too quick a turnaround. But I’ll have some stuff for you later this week. Promise. I made a number of changes to this one.
LAST SEVEN OUT
- Sam Roberts: Big boy. He has talent. But he’s still down the depth chart on the interior DL and I went with Hines (OL is a mess) over Roberts (7th IDL)
- Isaiah Bolden: I like him. Had him on my first two versions of the 53. Has special teams value as well, but the injury (don’t wish it on anyone) may let you get him to the practice squad.
- Calvin Munson: He’s all over special teams however I also think he can be waived and end up in the practice squad as well.
- Ronnie Perkins: He has some skills but too much time in the tub.
- Malik Cunningham: Just haven’t seen enough from him and find it hard to believe some team would claim him and put him on their active roster for at least three weeks.
- Anthony Firkser: He’s a useful player. He’s also replaceable. I’m sure his family doesn’t feel that way. But from a football standpoint.
- Mack Wilson: He’s an NFL talent but I’m not sure he has the instincts to make him one here.
53 MAN ROSTER
Quarterback (2): Mac Jones, Zappe
Out: Malik Cunningham, Trace McSorley
- A change. Cunningham is off. I think you can get him to the practice squad and then you need to decide if he’s a QB or a receiver. Thus far, he hasn’t shown much as a pass catcher.
Running Back (4): Rhamondre Stevenson, Ezekiel Elliott, Pierre Strong, JJ Taylor
Out: Kevin Harris, Ty Montgomery, C.J. Marable
- Strong has done nothing to convince me he should stay, except for the fact that he’s a 4th rounder. Taylor is a change here. I’ve added him because he’s got more wiggle than any of the other backs, and his work on 3rd down in Green Bay was impressive.
Wide Receiver (6): JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte.
Out: Thyrick Pitts, Raleigh Webb
- I’m putting Boutte on. He’s done enough in my opinion. He’ll probably spend a fair amount of time not being active on game day but he’s got a chance to grow in the system.
Tight End (2): Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki
Out: Anthony Firkser, Matt Sokol, Scotty Washington, Johnny Lumpkin
- Change. Firkser is off. No one is claiming him. Or Sokol. Put ‘em on the practice squad and use ‘em as call-ups if you need, especially if Gesicki can’t go week one.
Tackles (4): Riley Reiff, Trent Brown, Sidy Sow, Conor McDermott
NFI: Calvin Anderson
Out: Andrew Steuber
- McDermott’s lack of availability is problematic but when they brought him back, he was supposed to be their 4th tackle. If it’s nothing that’s going to keep him sidelined for much longer, I’d keep him and do so here.
Interior OLine (6): David Andrews, Cole Strange, Jake Andrews, Atonio Mafi, Mike Onwenu, Chasen Hines
Out: Russey, James Ferrentz (Vet PS), Micah Vanterpool and Bill Murray
- How about Mafi getting the veteran treatment Friday in Tennessee (not dressing)? He’s been the best of the three rookie offensive linemen. Hines is my 53rd guy on. With Reiff going down and the assorted other injuries, I want someone in here who knows the system and, in Hines’ case, has had some moments this camp/preseason.
Edge (4): Matt Judon, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Keion White
Out: Ronnie Perkins, Trey Flowers (vet P-squad), Wells
- No change.
Interior DL (6): Lawrence Guy, Carl Davis, Deatrich Wise, Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale
Out: Sam Roberts, Jeremiah Pharms, Justus Tavai,
- Toyed with keeping Sam Roberts but I think he’s the 7th best of the interior guys and I can’t keep seven.
LBs (3): Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Chris Board
Out: Mack Wilson, Calvin Munson, Diego Fagot,
- Wilson is back off the roster. Just not sure how well he grasps what they’re doing defensively. Problematic if you’re a linebacker. And while I don’t like only having three, the fact that they have three big safeties who can all play in the box helps lessen the concern in the short term. If there’s a longer-term injury, maybe they’ll have to scramble. But for now, this is the route I’m going.
CBs (5): Christian Gonzalez, Jon Jones, Jack Jones, Myles Bryant, Marcus Jones
Out: Bolden, Shaun Wade, Quandre Mosely, Ameer Speed, Rodney Randle
- A change. Bolden is off. This could change if Bolden’s concussion is something that may be longer lasting. Hard to judge with those. I won’t put a timetable on it. I don’t like putting him on waivers. I think there’s something there but the position flexibility of someone like Mills, combined with the numbers game at a couple other positions, has me rolling the dice here.
Safety (5): Jalen Mills, Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabril Peppers, Marte Mapu
Cut: Joshuah Bledsoe, Brad Hawkins
- Nice to see Mapu get some game action. Not as fast as he’s been on the practice field, but I expect the more he sees, the better he’ll get in the games.
Specialists (6): Bryce Baringer (P), Joe Cardona (LS), Chad Ryland (K), Nick Folk (K) Matthew Slater, Brenden Schooler
PUP (1): Cody Davis
Out: Corliss Waltman, Tucker Addington
Keeping Folk and Ryland, which is a change from my previous two versions. Kicking in the league is dicey. Folk is still money from 45 and in. Ryland has been inconsistent. I don’t let Folk