New England Patriots: 53-Man Roster Projection, Recap Of Moves
By Cyrus Geller
Aug 13, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) on the side line during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium. The Green Bay Packers won 22-11. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive End: (6) Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Trey Flowers, Jabaal Sheard, Geneo Grissom, Rufus Johnson
Unlike past years, the Patriots are deep and talented on the edge, and this group will wreak havoc on quarterbacks all year long.
Defensive Tackle (4): Alan Branch, Sealver Siliga, Malcom Brown, Dominique Easley
Replacing Vince Wilfork will be impossible, but Brown is a talented kid, and more importantly, Dominique Easley looks healthy, and if he can stay that way, he will be dominant in 2015.
Linebacker: (4) Jerod Mayo, Jamie Collins, Dont’a HIghtower, Jonathan Freeny
The starting three are easily the best starting three in the league, but the depth behind them is shaky. I thought James Morris was the better option between him and Freeny, but the Pats cut him yesterday, so evidently Freeny is their guy.
Cornerback: (5) Malcolm Butler, Tarell Brown, Bradley Fletcher, Logan Ryan, Justin Coleman
I think Robert McClain is the odd man out after the Coleman signing, although I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Ryan go instead of McClain.
Safeties: (5) Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon, Jordan Richards, Nate Ebner
D-Mac is the best in the league, Chung knows his role, Harmon is a capable center-fielder, and Richards is a young guy that should develop into a quality player. This group is an underrated one, and will make their mark on the 2015 season.
Special-Teams: (4) Stephen Gostkowski, Ryan Allen, Joe Cardona, Matthew Slater
Arguably the best unit of core-special teamers in the league. No changes here.