The Patriots have the day off after the first six practices, so it's a good time to reassess where the team is at.
Here's my updated 53-man roster and notes. Some of it is just my own observations, and some of it is from intel around the team.
A couple of headlines before we get into it for BSJ members:
- Seems the Patriots are putting a premium on speed, especially at the receiver position. So keep that in mind as we go through this.
- If Matthew Judon was indeed not at the facility on Tuesday (and I haven't seen any denials), then that smells like a team suspension. I don't know that to be true, and he hasn't officially been put on the reserve/suspended or did not report list, but that's what it smells like.
- Davon Godchaux and the Patriots are "in the midst of amicable negotiations." Not sure why it's been termed that way. Perhaps to illustrate the difference in approach between Judon and Godchaux.
- On to the new 53, where some recent draft picks and at least one free-agent signing have at least moved onto the bubble, if not off the roster completely:
- There are still people in the building who want Drake Maye to start Week 1. I don't think that happens, but it's interesting that is still a thought. I think those pro-Maye people believe in playing the kid and letting him learn like that. I don't think Eliot Wolf believes in that.
- Joe Milton is here to be developed and traded (if Maye works out, as they plan). He's been good, sometimes better than Maye, but if you know anything about football and watched practice, you would know Milton is running an entirely different offense, a simple RPO scheme. Maye is running the full monty.
- Internally, the Patriots believe Christian Barmore is out a minimum of three months due to the course of medication needed, and they feel it's a long shot he'll be back this season.
- Bailey Zappe is not long for the roster. His attitude and body language have disappointed. It's a matter of how long he lasts. It could be until final cuts.
- Juju Smith-Schuster's knees are still an issue and he's not expected to make the team.
- Hearing the team really prioritizes speed, especially at WR. So that could mean Jalen Reagor and Tyquan Thornton are in, and Kayson Boutte is out at this point. Obviously could change.
- If Marte Mapu doesn't get back on the field soon and perform, he could be gone. Christian Elliss and Joe Giles-Harris are LBs they like and are currently in the mix.
- Despite him being a huge crapshow at center (and he appears out of shape), the team likes Atonio Mafi but he's on the bubble.
- The Patriots are expected to go short at OT (Vederian Lowe and Tyrone Wheatley out) and DT, and then pounce on the waiver wire at both spots. Free agent DT Armon Watts has disappointed to this point and is on the bubble. The Patriots like Trysten Hill.
- At cornerback, Alex Austin in, Marco Wilson and Shaun Wade out.
- For some reason, the Patriots haven't loved Rhamondre Stevenson in this camp (I don't know why and I don't understand it, not sure how much I believe it - I think he's been good and looks in great shape). It will be him, Antonio Gibson and JaMychal Hasty at RB for now. Kevin Harris on the bubble.
- Patriots could also go skinny at safety (Mapu and Joshuah Bledsoe out) and Brenden Schooler could be more of a factor there.