Could the New England Patriots enter Week 1 with a roster like this? Find out who’s in and who’s out.
There are 98 days until the New England Patriots open the 2017 season against the Kansas City Chiefs. And within those 98 days lie a number of signings, trades, roster cuts, and transactions. As the calendar turns to June, the long road to Week 1 commences.
The Patriots roster currently sits at 90 players. Between now and September the team will need to shorten that number to 53. While waiving camp arms and undrafted free agents will free several roster spots, some better-known players will have to be released.
It doesn’t matter where you came from or when you were drafted; if you don’t produce, you’ll get the boot. If players can’t prove their value, they won’t earn a spot on the team.
Below is an early projection of how the Patriots’ roster may look this fall. There’s a lot of time between now and September, and many things will happen. Some players will get hurt, some players will get better, but by the end of the summer, each player’s true value will be known.
*= Rookie, Bold = Practice Squad, Italics = Special Teams
Let’s take a look at what the Patriots might look like in 2017!
Quarterbacks (3)
Starter: Tom Brady
Depth: Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett
For the second straight year, New England carries three quarterbacks on the roster. Brady starts the season a free man after missing last September to serve his Deflategate suspension. Jimmy Garoppolo serves as Brady’s back-up, occasionally seeing the field as a closer in blowout games. And second-year passer Jacoby Brissett continues his development as the Patriots third quarterback.
Running Backs (5)
Starter: Mike Gillislee
Depth: James White, Rex Burkhead, Dion Lewis, Brandon Bolden
The Patriots have a number of feasible options at the running back position. Mike Gillislee takes over as New England’s featured back while James White and Rex Burkhead split snaps on passing downs. If healthy, Dion Lewis gets the nod over D.J. Foster, although a strong showing in camp could earn him a spot if another back is injured. Bolden returns to Foxborough as a contributor on special teams.
Cut: D.J. Foster, LeShun Daniels Jr.
Wide Receivers (6)
Starters: Julian Edelman, Brandin Cooks
Depth: Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell, Danny Amendola, Matthew Slater
Julian Edelman and Brandin Cooks serve as the Patriots top wide receivers with Chris Hogan rotating in on three-receiver sets. Throughout the year, Malcolm Mitchell’s role will begin to increase as he makes the jump from year one to two. Despite the signing of Andrew Hawkins, Danny Amendola’s job is still safe. As usual, the sixth wide receiver spot goes to special teams ace, Matthew Slater.
Cut: Devin Lucien, Austin Carr*, Cody Hollister*, DeAndrew White
Tight Ends (4)
Starters: Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen
Depth: Matt Lengel, James Develin (FB)
The duo of Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen keeps the position on par with last year’s group. Lengel’s year of experience gives him an advantage over the team’s other tight ends, however, he’s far from a lock to make the team. Jacob Hollister and James O’Shaughnessy create good competition and may outshine the returning tight end. Develin beats out Glenn Gronkowski for the lone fullback spot.
Cut: Jacob Hollister*, James O’Shaughnessy, Sam Cotton*
Offensive Tackles (5)
Starters: Nate Solder (LT), Marcus Cannon (RT)
Depth: Antonio Garcia*, Cameron Fleming, Conor McDermott*
Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon pick up where they left off in 2016 as bookends to the Patriots offensive line. Solder, a free agent in 2018, will forfeit some playing time in favor of rookie Antonio Garcia. At right tackle, Fleming serves as Marcus Cannon’s understudy with added value as a jumbo tight end.
Cut: LaAdrian Waddle, Chase Farris, Cole Croston*, Andrew Jelks*, Max Rich*
Interior Offensive Line (4)
Starters: Joe Thuney (LG), Shaq Mason (RG), David Andrews (C)
Depth: Ted Karras
The Patriots house the same interior offensive line as they did in 2016. Joe Thuney and Ted Karras enter their second seasons in the league, while Mason and Andrews enter their third. The four linemen were active for all of New England’s games last season, surrendering only fifteen sacks. A big improvement from 2015’s group who forfeited thirty-eight.
Cut: Jamil Douglas, James Ferentz, Jason King*
Defensive Tackles (5)
Starters: Alan Branch, Malcom Brown
Depth: Lawrence Guy, Vincent Valentine, Woodrow Hamilton
Like last season, Alan Branch and Malcom Brown lead New England’s stout defensive line. Former third-round pick Vincent Valentine will aim to increase his role in the defense in his second season. And Woodrow Hamilton makes the 53-man roster in his second offseason with the team.
Cut: Darius Kilgo, Josh Augusta*, Adam Butler*
Defensive Ends (4)
Starters: Trey Flowers, Kony Ealy
Depth: Derek Rivers*, Deatrich Wise*
The Patriots lost Chris Long and Jabaal Sheard in free agency and look to succeed them with younger talent. Trey Flowers began taking over for Sheard in the latter half of 2016 and performed well enough to take his job. The Patriots acquired Ealy in a trade with Carolina in March. He’ll take over for Chris Long at left defensive end.
Cut: Geneo Grissom, Corey Vereen*
Linebackers (6)
Starters: Dont’a Hightower, Elandon Roberts, Rob Ninkovich
Depth: Shea McClellin, Brandon King, Harvey Langi*
Dont’a Hightower is a lock to start at outside linebacker with Rob Ninkovich, Kyle Van Noy, and Shea McClellin rotating on the opposite side. Ninkovich will split time at defensive end and linebacker while Van Noy and McClellin duel for the spot behind him. Roberts came on strong as a rookie – he gets the nod at middle linebacker.
Cut: Jonathan Freeny, Trevor Bates, Brooks Ellis*
Cornerbacks (5)
Starters: Malcolm Butler, Stephon Gilmore
Depth: Eric Rowe, Jonathan Jones, Justin Coleman
Together, Butler and Gilmore form one of the NFL’s best cornerback tandems. Cyrus Jones needs to make a big jump if he wants to make the roster. 2016 undrafted free agent Jonathan Jones’ top-end speed and special teams ability land him a spot on the roster over the former second-round pick.
Cut: Cyrus Jones, Dwayne Thomas*, Kenny Moore*
Safeties (5)
Starters: Devin McCourty (FS), Patrick Chung (SS)
Depth: Duron Harmon, Nate Ebner, Jordan Richards
There’s no question whether or not McCourty and Chung will start in 2017. All eyes are on 2015 second round pick Jordan Richards as he enters his third season in New England. Richards hasn’t met expectations and needs to elevate his game past special teams contributor if he’s going to stick around.
Cut: D.J. Killings*, David Jones*, Damaris Travis*, Jason Thompson*
Next: 6 Patriots who will make the Pro Bowl in 2017
Specialists (3)
Kicker: Stephen Gostowski
Punter: Ryan Allen
Long snapper: Joe Cardona
2016 wasn’t Gostowski’s best year but the Patriots would be unwise to let him go after one poor season. Allen finished 2016 with fourteen downed punts and an average of five yards per return.