New England Patriots pre-Preseason Game Four 53-man Roster Prediction

Aug 28, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots defensive end

(99) brings down Carolina Panthers running back

(43) on a run during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

DT: Sealver Siliga, Malcom Brown, Dominique Easley, Alan Branch (4)

CUT: Casey Walker, A.J. Pataiali’i,

Chris Jones is already on the PUP/Reserve list and Joe Vellano was released. Pataiali’i and Walker are just not up to snuff to knock Siliga or Branch out of the rotation at defensive tackle when they are healthy. One should end up on the practice squad.

DE: Rob Ninkovich, Jabaal Sheard, Chandler Jones, Trey Flowers, Geneo Grissom (5)

CUT: Zach Moore, Xzavier Dickson, Rufus Johnson

This was easily the deepest position on the roster this summer. Rufus Johnson was unstoppable in preseason game one against Green Bay before getting injured. Someone will get a serviceable pass rusher when they scoop him up. Zach Moore is a project who could still end up

Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back

(29) breaks away from New England Patriots outside linebacker

(91) during the first quarter of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

LB: Jamie Collins, Jerod Mayo, Dont’a Hightower, Jonathan Freeny, James Morris (5)

CUT: Eric Martin, Darius Fleming

Dane Fletcher is already on PUP/Reserve and Eric Martin was passed by Morris. Freeny is a special teams whiz and should stick over Fleming and Morris who could be available to stash on the practice squad. D.J. Lynch was already released and the writing was on the wall when he played just three snaps against Carolina. Five linebackers is pretty thin, but the Patriots will have trouble finding snaps for Mayo and Hightower as it is with Collins the true three-down linebacker. It looks like Rob Ninkovich may get playing time at outside linebacker to maximize pass rushers on the field.

Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New England Patriots strong safety

(21) against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

CB: Malcolm Butler, Bradley Fletcher, Tarell Brown, Robert McClain, Logan Ryan, Dax Swanson (6)

With Darryl Roberts on injured reserve, the cornerback position is pretty much set. Swanson showed some solid skills against Carolina and has the positional flexibility to play safety or cornerback and compete on special teams. Former third round draft pick Logan Ryan has not been great, but he still has a lot of talent and potential.

S: Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Jordan Richards, Tavon Wilson (4)

CUT: Nate Ebner, Brandon King

With the roster spots to valuable for too many special teams only players, it came down to Wilson and Ebner not having the ability to contribute on the regular defense. Wilson was supposed to be the better safety but during the preseason Wilson blew his chance for a roster spot with weak play in the first two preseason games. Ebner did not play much the first two games and was a liability in pass coverage in the second half against Carolina when he was on the field.

Special Teams: (3)

K: Stephen Gostkowski

P: Ryan Allen

LS: Joe Cardona

No surprises here. This trio has been set since the NFL Draft.

Breakdown of Roster Spots:

Offense: 26

Defense: 24

Special Teams: 3