A little housekeeping before we get on to our thoughts about what happened today, and what might happen in the ensuing days...
Here's my final projection, combined with what ended up happening:
WHAT I GOT WRONG
TE Jack Westover makes the team: He was probably the player I moved the most on and off the roster. Good solid player, showed well as a blocker, as a fullback and on special teams, but I didn't think he would be claimed. I wonder if he's the player displaced if the Patriots sign a true fullback, especially now that former Patriots and Raiders (Josh McDaniels) FB Jakob Johnson is on the street and free to sign anywhere right now as a vested veteran. He's literally plug-and-play in this scheme.
WR Kendrick Bourne does not go on in-season IR: That was a pure guess (hit on LB Jahlani Tavai), and it didn't pan out. Shocked the Patriots kept eight receivers. I wonder if Bourne to in-season IR could still happen, depending on what happens with the claims process. Javon Baker could be gone if the Patriots find a better special teams player.
Anfernee Jennings not traded, Bradyn Swinson and Truman Jones released: Shocked the Patriots couldn't find a taker for Jennings, which would have freed up another roster spot at edge. Perhaps that develops as the smoke clears over final cuts, and teams don't get what they want via waivers.
Shocked the Patriots released Swinson, because he was a fifth-round pick and was always going to be a developmental prospect. But the truth is, he showed nothing this summer. At least Mike Vrabel and Co. didn't show blind allegiance to their draft picks, so I give them a little credit.
I had been wondering aloud in the past few days if Jones' high rate of production (12 impactful plays, Elijah Ponder was next with 8) might be viewed as a little overrated by the coaching staff, and that turned out to be right. Still surprised they didn't give him some runway. Perhaps that happened due to Jennings not being dealt.
Jack Gibbens over Cam Riley at ILB: I'm going to agree to disagree with the Patriots' brass on this. I think this is a case, similar to Bill Belichick, where they took a comfortable player who knows the system over a player with more athletic ability and upside. Maybe Riley just wasn't picking up the scheme, I don't know. All I know is, if Gibben has to play, hold on to your butts.
Miles Battle released as the Patriots only keep five cornerbacks: The name doesn't surprise me that much — you could put the names of the final five CBs in a hat for all I care — as much as the number. I mean, the Patriots have five safeties PLUS Brenden Schooler. Perhaps they can find another CB on waivers.
Borregales over Romo: Like I said previously, when I switched to Romo for my final version, Romo won the competition on the field. It was somewhat close, but Romo still won it. Guess next time Vrabel talks up a competition, especially involving a draft pick, I won't really believe him.
Here's the initial 53-man roster straight up:
WHERE I WOULD BE LOOKING FOR HELP
• A fullback, if that's what Josh McDaniels wants. That's Jakob Johnson's music I'm hearing.
• An offensive tackle upgrade over Vederian Lowe. I'm not sure that's Cam Robinson, who reportedly is available via trade after signing with the Texans in the offseason (he's available because my mocked Patriots double-dip with Campbell and Airontae Ersery has paid off - the big fella has won the LT job for the Texans) . He was my 4th of 4 free-agent OTs this offseason, and I'm not sure he's better than Lowe.
• A guard to replace Caeden Wallace. Kenyon Green could be an option, but both the Texans and Eagles have given up on him in the last five months.
• A speed receiver to replace Javon Baker/Kendrick Bourne. I don't see much out there.
• A tight end to upgrade Jack Westover. Saints released Treyton Welch, who is intriguing as a move TE to backup Austin Hooper. Greg Dulcich (Giants TE) is another option and a little bigger.
• An upgrade over QB Josh Dobbs and/or a developmental QB. Could Tommy Devito be an option? Hendon Hooker was a top prospect before his college career ended due to injury. Kyle Trask, who was Tom Brady's understudy for two seasons, is now available and would likely know the system.
• A sixth cornerback.
• A linebacker with speed to replace Jack Gibbens. Again.