I know you've been waiting with bated breath for my first stab at the 53-man roster. Unlike fancy boy Bedard, I don't use graphs and charts and have little symbols by some of the players. You know why? Because I'm a man of the people.
Is there an overriding theme of this year's 53 versus the last couple? You betcha. The team will actually have some hard decisions to make. Not the kind that will determine the future of the season, or the next, but there are more NFL-caliber players than in recent history.
One other admission: I don't love some of my choices but upon further review(s), they beat the alternatives.
QBs (2): Drake Maye, Josh Dobbs - Pretty self-explanatory. Maye is the unquestioned starter. Dobbs is the unquestioned backup. Count me as someone who would like to see Ben Wooldridge on the practice squad. The three best throws in the preseason opener were all by the UDFA, including that pretty deep over route to John Jiles.
RBs (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson - The Lan Larison bug never bit me, although he showed enough to get stashed in some way or form. The foot surgery, while unfortunate for him, made it easier on the team. As for the other three, I wasn't in the camp of shopping one. You'll need all three. Henderson has been the Pats' best offensive player this summer, even with the occasional drop. And though I hate the phrase 'Not even close,' I believe that's true in this case.
WRs (7): Stefon Diggs, Pop Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, Javon Baker, Efton Chism - Kendrick Bourne is on the outside looking in. Sure, there's a case to keep him with his experience and previous success in a McDaniels' offense, but I suspect SF calls about him (their wide receiver room is a mess right now) and the Pats take what's being offered. The only rationale for putting Polk on the team is Eliot Wolf. Usually, you can't make the club from the tub, and that's where I'm at.
TEs (2): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper - The top two are easy like a Sunday morning. Jack Westover and Gee Scott Jr. are perfect practice squad candidates, and if the Pats want a fullback (and don't claim or sign one), they can elevate Westover, who has added that to his bag over the last 10 days or so.
OL (9): Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Marcus Bryant, Ben Brown, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace - Wallace gets the nod over Cole Strange, Sidy Sow, and Demontrey Jacobs for the 9th spot. That's not because he's made a push. Heck, he's been hurt a bit. But he was a third-round pick just a year ago, and has tackle experience in his background, even though the new regime hasn't let him do it this summer. I like Brown better than Strange, and he's also added to his portfolio by playing some guard.
DL (6): Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Keion White, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Kyle Peko - Haven't seen Peko in action. The team just signed him on Monday. He's 32, but has a history with Vrabel and Terrell Williams. Big body. Pats keep swimming in that pool this summer. Farmer needs to get physically right, but has had some flashes this camp.
Edge (5): K'Lavon Chaisson, Truman Jones, Harold Landry, Bradyn Swinson, Elijah Ponder - Anfernee Jennings belongs on the 53. He's better than some of the names you're seeing on the DL/Edge, but he doesn't fit this system, and the coaches have been telling us that starting in OTAs. Jones has gotten a lot of credit for transforming his body and has made plays. He's definitely caught my attention.
LBs (4): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Marte Mapu - I'm as shocked as you are that Mapu is on this list. But this group is lean, and he has a role on special teams.
CBs (6) - Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, DJ James, Kobee Minor - James appeared to tweak his hamstring Sunday, and that could impact his spot. Austin has had a good camp. I don't love the depth here.
Safeties (5): Jabril Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, Kyle Dugger, Marcus Epps - Not as deep as it used to be. Dugger looks lost in this scheme, and I wouldn't say Hawkins has been silky smooth either.
Specialists (4): Andres Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby, Brenden Schooler - The 6th rounder kicker has the slight edge over Parker Romo. Ashby had a couple of funky snaps the last handful of days. Something to monitor.
LAST 3 OUT: CB Miles Battle, DT Isaiah Iton, S Dell Pettus - I like Battle. If they can get him to the practice squad, that'd be wonderful. Iton feels like he's right on the edge and would have made it if not for the Peko signing. Pettus can play in the league. Epps has the edge right now.
LAST 3 IN: Epps, Minor, Mapu - I want to keep all the corners, hence Minor getting in. Mapu seemingly has a real role on special teams, and that could save him as he "develops" at linebacker.