Musket Fire
FanSided

Patriots roster prediction: Training camp Week 3 edition

By Connor Fulton

Jul 30, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on as quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) drops back to throw during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on as quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) drops back to throw during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 10
Next
Jabaal Sheard Patriots
Jul 30, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard (93) drills against outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (48) during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

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

Defensive tackles (4): Malcom Brown, Terrance Knighton, Alan Branch, Markus Kuhn

Practice squad: Vincent Valentine, Woodrow Hamilton

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

The Patriots’ defensive line is quickly becoming one of the deepest parts of the roster. You have sophomore pro Brown flirting with stardom, and then the influx of veterans Knighton and Kuhn to compliment Branch’s already stout presence on the interior. Those four guys give the Patriots a beefy yet balanced front, one which should plug running lanes and open opportunities for outside pass rushing.

More impact in 2016: Amendola or Hogan?

A rotation of Sheard, Ninkovich and Long should give the Patriots no shortage of pass rushing heat. Don’t forget about second-year man Grissom, who steadily improved throughout his rookie season and should give Long competition at the No. 3 defensive end spot for the remainder of the preseason. Draft pick Valentine narrowly misses out on a roster spot, but he joins undrafted rookie Hamilton on the practice squad at least.

Next: Linebackers (5)

Home/Patriots News