New England Patriots 53-man 2018 Full Roster Projection v1.0

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NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 27: Jason McCourty #30 of the Tennessee Titans signals a first down after recovering a fumble by LeGarrette Blount #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the team’s first offensive series during play at LP Field on November 27, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

CORNERBACK: (6)

Starter(s): Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty

Back-up(s): Duke Dawson, Eric Rowe, Jonathan Jones, Ryan Lewis

Roster Bubble Boy(s): Cyrus Jones, Jomal Wiltz, J.C. Jackson, Keion Crossen, A.J. Moore

The top five cornerbacks are likely set with Gilmore, Rowe, McCourty, Dawson and Jonathan Jones. Cyrus Jones should be the favorite but prior draft position means nothing to head coach Bill Belichick when it is time to pick the best 53 players to fit the roster.

Jackson has been the standout of OTAs so far. However, I will buy into the Ryan Lewis hype and add him from the jumble of cornerbacks to put him as the sixth corner in 2018 heading into training camp.

SAFETY: (6)

Starter(s): Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon

Back-up(s): David Jones, Brandon King, Nate Ebner

Roster Bubble Boy(s): Jordan Richards, Damarius Travis

I figure King and Ebner should return with their solid special teams play to join McCourty, Harmon and Chung. That leaves one spot for Travis, Jones, and Richards to battle over.

Last year, I had bought into the David Jones hype and had him on the 53-man roster heading into 2017 before injuries slowed him down in the preseason–I see no reason not to double down and have this be the year that Patriots fans get their wish and see the team move on from Richards.

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