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Patriots depth chart prediction, preseason Week 4

By Connor Fulton

Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) looks to pass the ball during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Panthers 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) looks to pass the ball during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Panthers 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chris Long Patriots depth chart
Aug 11, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) sits on the sidelines during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

DEFENSIVE LINE

Defensive ends: Jabaal Sheard, Chris Long, Trey Flowers, Shea McClellin

Defensive tackles: Malcolm Brown, Alan Branch, Vincent Valentine, Anthony Johnson, Markus Kuhn

The loss of Ninkovich for the first half of the season was a bummer for sure, and the recent news about Sheard’s injury wasn’t fun to hear, but there is good depth with Long, Flowers and McClellin factoring into the Patriots depth chart at defensive end. Unfortunately for sophomore pro Grissom, there just isn’t room for him on the final roster.

9 members of the 2013 NFL rookie class are now with the Patriots

On the interior, the Patriots have an embarrassment of defensive tackle riches. Brown is certainly a breakout candidate in 2016; Branch provides veteran beef; Valentine looks like a very intriguing rookie with plenty of athleticism to boot; Johnson is a rebranded player after a tough first few years in the NFL; Kuhn has gotten plenty of looks with the starters and should make the team as well. Knighton is the surprise cut, although that prospect is getting less and less surprising after the veteran didn’t play a snap on Friday night (yikes).

Cut: Woodrow Hamilton, Terrance Knighton, Joe Vellano, Geneo Grissom

Next: Johnson sneaks onto defensive line

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