Teams have until Saturday August 31 at 4:00 PM EST to reduce their rosters to 53 players. These cuts will consist of releasing young and veteran players or placing players on reserves. Looking ahead to the deadline, I have put together my 53-man roster projection.
Quarterback (2): Tom Brady, Jarrett Stidham || Cuts: Brian Hoyer
Brady and Stidham are locks, and I’m not entirely sure what to make of Hoyer not playing. They could have already made their decision and are in fact cutting him, or they could’ve kept him out to prevent injury in hopes of a trade. Brady and Hoyer have a great relationship and does well with the scout team getting ready for the week’s game. Hoyer could get the nod over some other back-end guys on this list.
Running Back (5): Sony Michel, Damien Harris, James White, Rex Burkhead, Brandon Bolden || Cuts: Nick Brossette
This one is pretty much set. I thought for a moment earlier this offseason that Burkhead wouldn’t even make the roster, but I think the team has plans to utilize all their backs throughout the season to keep them fresh. Undrafted rookie Brossette has shined in the preseason, but he’s in a very crowded backfield. Ideal situation would be sneaking him onto the practice squad, but there are 31 other teams that watch these games and could claim Brossette off waivers.
Fullback (1): James Develin || Cuts: Jakob Johnson
Develin is one of the best fullbacks in the league so his spot is safe. Johnson was acquired as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. He’ll serve as the team’s 11th practice squad member and is ineligible to be promoted to the active roster.
Wide Receiver (7): Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, Josh Gordon, N’Keal Harry, Demaryius Thomas, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski || Cuts: Braxton Berrios, Damoun Patterson, Ryan Davis || Reserves: Cameron Meredith (PUP)
At the start of the preseason, there were so many question marks at the receiver position. Edelman, Gordon, and Thomas were all out for different reasons, now they are all back and healthy, which prompted the releases of Maurice Harris and Dontrelle Inman. Harris was initially set to make the roster after a strong camp, but an injury dropped him down the depth chart and was then released.
Punt returner has been an issue for the Patriots in recent years, and the initial thought out of camp was that 2018 sixth-rounder Braxton Berrios would serve that role with a nice slot receiver role in the offense. However he’s failed to produce in the preseason, and was outplayed by undrafted rookie Gunner Olszewski as a returner. Olszewski is my 53rd man, as he was initially a fringe player not making my roster, but his play in the final preseason game, showing grit and toughness and his ability to play on defense. If he does make the roster, he’ll be your primary returner.
The biggest story of the Patriots preseason has been the play of undrafted rookie Jakobi Meyers. He struggled with getting on the same page as Brady with the first-teamers in the third preseason game, but once again was terrific with Stidham. He’ll start at the bottom of the depth chart, and work his way up as he develops a rapport with Brady.
Tight End (2): Matt LaCosse, Ryan Izzo || Cuts: Eric Saubert, Stephen Anderson, Andrew Beck || Reserves: Lance Kendricks (suspended one game), Benjamin Watson (suspended four games)
This is by far the most difficult position to assess. There’s no clear depth chart right now as all the guys are performing like No. 3 tight ends at best. I still give the edge to LaCosse despite his injury, and 2018 seventh-rounder Izzo is a solid blocker and had a nice reception from Brady in the preseason. Saubert could be the choice over Izzo, or LaCosse could start the season on IR, but I like the chances of LaCosse and Izzo, especially since Izzo didn’t play in the final game.
Offensive Line (8): Isaiah Wynn, Joe Thuney, Ted Karras, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon, Korey Cunningham, Dan Skipper, Jermaine Eluemunor || Cuts: Cole Croston, James Ferentz, Cedrick Lang, Martez Ivey, Tyree St. Louis, Tyler Gauthier || Reserves: David Andrews (NFI), Hjalte Froholdt (IR), Yodny Cajuste (NFI)
Losing David Andrews is tough, as he’s the anchor of that line, but Ted Karras has been great when he’s had to fill in, and he’ll do fine in Andrews’ absence. The trade acquisitions of Cunningham and Eluemunor showed that the team was not comfortable with their depth, and they got some guys with starting experience. They gave up some decent draft picks for these guys, so I think that’s a clear indicator they’re making the team. I initially had Froholdt on the roster, but he suffered what looked like an arm injury and went right to the locker room. He wasn’t going to play this year, so he’ll redshirt in IR and fight for a spot next year. I have Skipper making the roster as he got a ton of first-team reps in camp despite a mediocre preseason. However the team might favor a guy like Cole Croston who’s been around the team and has tackle/guard flexibility.
Defensive End (5): Deatrich Wise Jr., Michael Bennett, Chase Winovich, John Simon, Shilique Calhoun || Cuts: Derek Rivers, Trent Harris, Nick Thurman
I didn’t think defensive end was going to be this tough. I thought Wise was atop the depth chart, but he started the final preseason game and could end up being a trade candidate. Calhoun and Rivers are in a very similar situation, fringe guys who got hurt early. Not sure what the severities of the injuries are, but each player could be interchangeable, or both could end up on IR.
Defensive Tackle (3): Lawrence Guy, Adam Butler, Byron Cowart || Cuts: David Parry, Ufomba Kamalu
The release of Mike Pennel cleared up the depth chart in the interior, and the play of rookie fifth-rounder Cowart probably pushed him off the roster. Parry and Kamalu will be ideal practice squad candidates.
Linebacker (5): Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Elandon Roberts || Cuts: Calvin Munson, Scooby Wright, Christian Sam, Terez Hall
Roberts’ name has been floating around in trade rumors, so he could be out the door, but for now, he’s on the team. A really tough cut here was Munson. He really shined this preseason, but it’s such a crowded position. All the cut guys are practice squad candidates.
Cornerback (6): Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, Jonathan Jones, J.C. Jackson, Joejuan Williams, Keion Crossen || Cuts: Duke Dawson, Ken Webster
Probably the deepest position on the roster, the cornerbacks here are great top to bottom. The final spot here was tough between Crossen and Dawson. Crossen is great on special teams and is more established than Dawson, but Dawson was their second round pick last year and would’ve liked to keep him, but there’s just not enough spots. I was really impressed with Crossen in the final game. He struggled early, giving up a few catches and a touchdown, but was incredible after that: 12 tackles, four passes defensed, and an interception. That performance punched his ticket to the final roster.
UPDATE: Not 10 seconds after I initially published this, Ian Rapoport reported that Duke Dawson was traded to the Denver Broncos.
Safety (5): Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon, Terrence Brooks, Nate Ebner || Cuts: Obi Melifonwu, A.J. Howard, Malik Gant (potential IR)
This one’s pretty straight forward. I’m disappointed in Melifonwu for not pushing for a spot, but maybe he’ll find his way on the practice squad.
Special Teams (4): Stephen Gostkowski (K), Jake Bailey (P), Joe Cardona (LS), Matthew Slater (ST)
This was set a few weeks ago after the release of veteran Ryan Allen.
Just missed the cut: Brian Hoyer, Duke Dawson, Calvin Munson, Derek Rivers, Obi Melifonwu, Cole Croston, Braxton Berrios, Eric Saubert
Ideal practice squad: Nick Brossette, Braxton Berrios, Eric Saubert, Cole Croston, James Ferentz, Derek Rivers, Calvin Munson, Christian Sam, Ken Webster, Obi Melifonwi, Jakob Johnson
Note: The Patriots could opt to release a vested veteran at the deadline, in order to keep a player who they want to designate to return from injury later in the year, like Calhoun or Rivers. After the 4:00 PM deadline, any player placed on IR is eligible to return in 2019. When that move happens, the player that was released can be re-signed, exactly like the situation with Brandon Bolden in 2017.
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