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New England Patriots Roster Projection 2.0

By Cyrus Geller

Aug 11, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Cyrus Jones (24) returns a punt while New Orleans Saints defensive end Obum Gwacham (58) pursues during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Cyrus Jones (24) returns a punt while New Orleans Saints defensive end Obum Gwacham (58) pursues during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 28, 2016; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Malcom Brown (90) takes the field for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2016; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Malcom Brown (90) takes the field for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense

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

This position group has been set for awhile. Brown will be the top starter, and I anticipate the other three will rotate to keep the bodies fresh throughout the season.

Defensive End: (6) Jabaal Sheard, Chris Long, Rob Ninkovich, Trey Flowers, Shea McClellin, Geneo Grissom

Losing Chandler Jones sucked, but the Pats have a plethora of talent to replace him on the edge. Sheard and Long will begin the season as the starters with Ninkovich injured, but Flowers emerging this preseason will be huge in terms of pass rushing productivity as a depth guy throughout the year.

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

Collins and Hightower are two of the three best inside linebackers in the league, and while Freeny and Grugier-Hill don’t make up the best depth in the world, but Freeny proved last year he can step in and be serviceable.

Cornerbacks: (5) Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Justin Coleman, Cyrus Jones, Jonathan Jones

No changes here, either. With the addition of Cyrus Jones, and the emergence of Jonathan Jones, the Pats are set up to have one of the better secondaries in the NFL.

Safeties: (5) Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Patrick Chung, Jordan Richards, Nate Ebner

The question here is Ebner or Brandon King, and with Ebner back from the Olympics, I’m going with the veteran. He has proven to be an excellent special-teamer, and can even step in and do some decent things at safety when needed.

Special Teams: (4) Stephen Gostkowski, Joe Cardona, Ryan Allen, Matthew Slater

Gostkowski and Slater are the best in the game at when they do, and Allen isn’t too shabby either.

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