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Patriots training camp Week 1: Predicting final roster

By Connor Fulton

Jun 7, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) uses a ball machine during mini camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) uses a ball machine during mini camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rob Ninkovich Patriots
Nov 23, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich (50) celebrates after a missed field goal by the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive ends (4): Jabaal Sheard, Rob Ninkovich, Chris Long, Geneo Grissom

Defensive tackles (4): Malcom Brown, Terrance Knighton, Alan Branch, Vincent Valentine

Practice squad: Woodrow Hamilton

Cut: Markus Kuhn, Anthony Johnson, Joe Vellano, Frank Kearse, Trey Flowers

Starting with the defensive ends, Sheard and Ninkovich lead the way with Sheard probably becoming the focal point of the position now that Chandler Jones is gone. Then, it’s going to be a heated training camp battle between the veteran Long and the upcoming sophomore pro Grissom, who seemed to get better with every game last year. Keep in mind that Long has accumulated just four sacks over the last two seasons.

Ranking the Patriots’ interior defensive linemen

Shifting inside, you have to think that Brown is going to be a really, really good player. He was perhaps the most overlooked defensive rookie last year, making Belichick look pretty smart letting Vince Wilfork go. Knighton and Branch will be competing for the spot behind Brown on the depth chart, and the rookie Valentine figures to make the team over the likes of Kuhn (underachieving veteran in 2015), Johnson (hasn’t played a snap since 2014) and Vellano (also hasn’t played a snap since 2014). Hamilton squeaks onto the practice squad with a surprise performance in training camp.

Next: LBs 5)

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