New England Patriots: 53-man Roster Projection
By Hal Bent
WIDE RECEIVER:
Aug 22, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins (85) runs with the ball after making a catch in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Soriano:
Danny Amendola, Kenbrell Thompkins, Julian Edelman, Aaron Dobson, Josh Boyce, Matthew Slater (6)
These six receivers are locks, and I just hope that Kamar Aiken can slip by waivers and make the practice squad.
Matt Wincherauk:
Danny Amendola, Kenbrell Thompkins, Aaron Dobson, Julian Edelman, Josh Boyce, Matthew Slater (6)
The receiver corps is pretty much a lock at this point. The players getting mostof the time have zero chance of being cut now, and the guys looking in have zero chance. Only thing left is where they each fit on the depth chart.
Gary Wolff:
Danny Amendola, Kenbrell Thompkins, Aaron Dobson, Julian Edelman, Josh Boyce, Matthew Slater (6)
The loss of Wes Welker is a concern, of course, due to his statistics alone, but also because he was the ‘go-to’ guy. Yet this receiver corps looks more dynamic and more exciting than any in the Brady era, except perhaps in 2007 when Randy Moss was being Randy Moss. The big question mark with this crew is not their youth, but their ability to stay healthy. Amendola and Edelman look fantastic, but both are often hurt. Kenbrell Thomkins quickness off the ball enables him to get open regularly. Expect some pretty big numbers for him this season. Slater is the best special teams player in the league. Dobson and Boyce both look like they have picked up the offense fairly well, and their talent is very obvious.
Chris Martin:
Danny Amendola, Kenbrell Thompkins, Julian Edelman, Aaron Dobson, Josh Boyce, Matthew Slater (6)
Need I say more, seriously Thompkins is a beast. Those other guys, will ether be pratice squad folks or on someone else’s team. Why do the Jags come to mind.
Chris Simoneau:
Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson, Josh Boyce, Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater, Kenbrell Thompkins (6)
The rebuilt receiving core is a bit inexperienced, but they are a diversified group. Matthew Slater is so good on special teams that it is almost impossible to cut him. Although I do believe Edelman will lose his punt return job to Leon Washington, he will still make the team. Thompkins might end up being the surprise of the season.
Cyrus Gellar:
Danny Amendola, Kenbrell Thompkins, Aaron Dobson, Julian Edelman, Josh Boyce, Matthew Slater (6)
Nothing new in this department, as all six receivers have proven that they deserve a spot on this squad.
Celia Westbrook:
Danny Amendola, Matthew Slater, Josh Boyce, Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins, Julian Edelman (6)
The wide receiver core speaks for itself, but it’s Thompkins who has been the “gem” so far by showing versatility, agility and good hands. Dobson and Boyce are in the right path to getting better and adjusting to NFL football pace.
Chris Field:
Danny Amendola, Kenbrell Thompkins, Julian Edelman, Aaron Dobson, Josh Boyce, Matt Slater (6)
I have yet to see a roster projection that differs from the above iteration.
Hal Bent:
Danny Amendola, Matthew Slater, Josh Boyce, Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins, Julian Edelman (6)
Amazingly, the position with the most question marks and hand-wringing in the media is the most settled at cutdowns. Kamar Aiken could slip into the seventh receiver spot and have James Develin cut. Heck, knowing Bill Belichick, it could happen before game one or two, as the roster tends to be in flux for the first few weeks of the season. In fact, it seems that there are three or four moves each season with the roster that no one sees coming. If he is cut by Philadelphia (not likely with the injuries they’ve had at the position, but possible as he is battling for one of the final spots), there could be a return to New England for wide receiver Greg Salas at the expense of Edelman, Develin, or someone else.