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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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Dont'a Hightower Patriots training camp
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers (5): Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower, Shea McClellin, Jonathan Freeny, Kamu Grugier-Hill

Practice squad: Rufus Johnson, Elandon Roberts

Cut: Ramon Humber, Kevin Snyder

This is a pretty solid group of linebackers right here. Collins and Hightower are superstars; McClellin is a solid pro himself and should be much better in a new setting outside of Chicago; Freeny is a decent depth linebacker with special teams talent; Grugier-Hill is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2016 class. Not bad at all.

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If it weren’t for a nasty stomach bug that ended his 2015 season, Johnson would have been a force all year long on defense; he will start the year on the practice squad and work his way up. Roberts also makes the practice squad as a result of his Patriot Way demeanor (his intangibles are through the roof) and excellent tackling ability (he led the FBS in solo tackles last year). Humber gets cut on account of age and not enough of a value proposition, and Snyder gets cut for the latter reason as well.

Next: CBs (5)

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