Patriots had a little breather this weekend with two days off before a big week with the Commanders joint practice and preseason game. It's time for some players to start to make a move — looking at you, WR Efton Chism and TE CJ Dippre — or they could end up long shots for the roster.
It's a good time to assess where the roster stands with our second version of our 53-man roster projection. Health will factor into a lot of this, and there's much we don't know (will Vederian Lowe ever get on the field), but this is our best guess where things stand at the moment.
A couple of the highlights:
- I have a whopping five Patriots veterans on the trade block, and you could probably add a few more - if you could get anything for them.
- I still have seven receivers on the roster, but the names have changed.
- I went really light at linebacker and tight end. That's probably wrong — need to see who is standing out on special teams — but I just don't see enough good players to keep right now.
- The Patriots have a surplus of good players at edge and safety, and possibly defensive tackle.
Enough of the preamble, here's our latest projection:
Some thoughts...
Quarterback: Self-explanatory. I would expect the Patriots to be looking for another QB with upside either in a trade before cutdowns, or on the waiver wire.
Running back: I'm not dumping Rhamondre Stevenson yet, but I would listen (good luck getting someone to pick up that contract). Lan Larison has done some good things, but I want to see more to solidify that spot.
Receiver: Kayshon Boutte has been one of the surprises of camp, both on and off the field. Kendrick Bourne has fallen down the depth chart a bit, and he seems to be redundant with others. I would look for a deal, possibly back to the Niners. ... The spots held by Ja'Lynn Polk and Chism are very tenuous; neither has done much. Could it be one or the other? In that case, you might be able to add Polk to the trade list.
Tight end: Brought in two new names this week, and they might be more of the H-back variety. I contemplated keeping just Henry and Hooper, but Jake Westover has done a good job. CJ Dippre has been a disappointment as a top UDFA. Gee Scott and Jaheim Bell are competing against each other, but neither seems better than a practice squad spot at this point.
Tackle: The Patriots need Vederian Lowe to get on the field soon, so he can get reps and figure out if he can be the top tackle backup, because right now they don't have much. The Patriots are pretty much screwed, as it stands today, if Will Campbell and/or aging Morgan Moses get hurt. Tough to do anything about that now, and the Patriots did take some swings on tackles in free agency but the money got stupid for average players.
Jacobs is OK, but not good enough to displace Marcus Bryant or Jack Conley, who gives the team cover at tackle and guard. The next three weeks are big for those two players. Conley needs to prove his versatility, especially his ability to handle speed at tackle.
Guard/Center: With Jared Wilson at left guard, Ben Brown gets the backup job at center, but that might not hold - tough to keep a center-only backup; you usually want a player there with center/guard ability. Caeden Wallace moves up from trade bait to on the team, but it would be nice to see him play right guard at some point.
Tyrese Robinson has gotten no traction in camp, and Cole Strange has slid from starting left guard to third-string center. In theory, the light could go on in the preseason games, and he could grab the backup spot from Brown. Strange does have a real shot because he's the only guy, right now, who could provide coverage at center and both guard spots. But I wouldn't hold my breath. Would be nice to see Brown get an opportunity at guard as well.
Edge: I like all the Patriots' players on the edge, but it's impossible to keep them all. Truman Jones is ahead of Elijah Ponder right now, but it's close. Anfernee Jennings is a damn good player and has had a good camp, just not a great fit for this scheme, and the Patriots should be able to get something for him.
Tackle: Josh Farmer has done little in this camp and now he's hurt. Wouldn't mind the Foxboro Flu with him so I can keep Roy, Iton or Ritzie - I like them all. Would be nice to keep Iton and Ritzie on the practice squad, but they might show out in the preseason.
Linebacker: I like Monty Rice and Cam Riley as players, they have potential, but I haven't seen enough to put either on the roster yet. Special teams are going to be big at this spot. I just don't see the need for Tavai. They might view him as the only real MLB option behind Spillane, but Rice is a possibility.
Cornerback: There is a fierce battle going on for the final two or three spots. It's very close between Bolden, James (a huge riser so far), Dial, Battle, Crossley and even Minor.
Safety: This group is pretty stacked, 1 through 6. I need to see more from Epps post-surgery to solidify his spot. He's been middling, but he's assignment-sure. Pettus is competing for that spot at as well.
This might be it for Kyle Dugger. He's the same player he's always been, and showed that by getting beat twice this week on the same old stuff. There's always just a slight momentary lack of focus. He's not worth close to $14.5 million, and I'd take the dead money hit now in a release if you can't find a buyer for that contract (that would probably be difficult).
I'd finally part ways, start the Craig Woodson era, and be happy with the depth/roles provided by Hawkins, Epps and possibly Pettus. And, remember, Schooler is providing real depth here. He could very well factor in as the fifth safety.
It would take a Rohrwassian collapse for Borregales, who showed shades of that early in camp, to not be the opening day kicker. But Romo might stick on practice squad to goose him a little.