The hay is officially in the barn. We don't know how injuries are going to shake out after the Commanders' game (like Sidy Sow, whose appearance in a walking boot indicates the best-case scenario is a high ankle sprain, but I'm worried about an Achilles tear or partial tear), but let's go through our final 53-man roster.
There's been a lot of talk about whether or not the Patriots have 53 players to put on a roster. My answer is no.
When I went through the final roster spots, these are the players I could see the players moving on from if they find a lot to like on the waiver wire, where they have the No. 3 selection:
LB Joe Giles-Harris
LB Christian Elliss
CB Isaiah Bolden
CB Marcellas Dial
DE Oshane Ximenes
DT Trysten Hill
DT Jeremiah Pharms
C/G Nick Leverett
WR Jalen Reagor
So that's nine players. Am I saying the Patriots only have 44 players worth keeping? Yeah, kind of. I think the first five on the list are definitely expendable. The last four are possibles.
Let's get into the list, and then into final cuts, final makes and what we're looking for in waivers:
OFFENSE
QBs: Kind of self-explanatory. I'm not keeping Zappe on the active roster. Possibly the practice squad. But I'm looking for someone with more Alex Van Pelt/starting experience. My ideal add on the practice squad, for now: Case Keenum.
RBs: Terrell Jennings definitely makes a case, but I think JaMychal Hasty showed in the finale how he's valuable as a third-down back, if needed. Kevin Harris is too much like the top two RBs.
WRs: Wondering if Boutte was largely kept out of the finale to either trade him for not much, or to limit the film on him so the Patriots can get him back on the practice squad. Reagor gets the nod due to special teams, but I'm not wed to that. The Patriots have others who can do that.
TEs: Bell has shown enough promise to warrant a spot.
OTs: Calvin Anderson hasn't earned anything and I want a spot for a fourth tackle through waivers. No, don't expect much.
G/C: Michael Jordan gets the nod because he can play tackle. I think there's some sentiment for Mafi, but he hasn't shown enough. I really want to keep Liam Fornadel, but it needs to be through practice squad.
DEFENSE
UPDATE: After reviewing the film, I now have Dial being released. Just too far away. That means Wade, Mapu and Pettus are back in. I'm going with Wade. Too many injuries at CB to risk going light there.
Edge: Ximines sticks for now, but I'm looking for more upside on the waiver wire. William Bradley-King made a push.
DTs: If I'm the Patriots, I'm claiming one if not two run-stuffing DTs. Armon Watts was a bust.
LBs: Giles-Harris and Elliss have earned spots through special teams but it's tenuous.
CBs: I'm probably foolish for keeping seven but there have been so many injury problems. If they go six, it's to keep another safety. Bolden and Dial both have upside and play special teams. Dial is now out, and Wade back in. But it easily could be Mapu or Pettus. If they still like Mapu, he's probably the safest bet. Don't really have another player like that.
Safety: Mapu or Pettus would be the extra guy here. I just can't make the case for Mapu because he has been constantly hurt here.
Joey Slye won the job in my eyes.
LAST FIVE OUT
WR Kayshon Boutte
S Marte Mapu
S Dell Pettus
G Atonio Mafi
CB Shaun Wade
LAST FIVE IN
LB Joe Giles-Harris
LB Christian Elliss
CB Isaiah Bolden
CB Marcellas Dial
DE Oshane Ximenes
LOOKING FOR ADDITIONS/UPGRADES IN WAIVERS/TRADES
Run-stuffing DT (possibly 2)
Blocking TE
Developmental 4th OT
Edge to upgrade Ximines
CB to upgrade Bolden or Dial
Possible athletic TE is one falls out of the sky
Possible RB upgrade over Hasty
Athletic LB to upgrade Elliss
Free safety