New England Patriots: 53-man roster projection after two preseason games

Wide Receiver (5): Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, Chris Hogan, Cordarrelle Patterson, Matthew Slater

With Julian Edelman suspended the first four weeks of the season, New England will count on just four wide receivers during his absence (as Matthew Slater is strictly used for special teams).

Kenny Britt suffered an injured hamstring back in June, which has limited him throughout all of training camp. Britt has started to practice more and more and appears to be working his way onto the field for Week 1. The receiver signed in New England at the end of last season. Britt appeared in just three games and caught two passes, but the team reportedly has big plans for the wide receiver if healthy.

Newcomer Eric Decker will continue to get a chance to crack the roster, but he has struggled since signing. Decker has dropped several passes during training camp and has not hauled in a pass in either of the Patriots preseason games. Britt’s hamstring not being fully healed by Week 1 could be the only way for Decker to work his way onto the final roster.

As for the other receivers, young slot receivers Riley McCarron and Braxton Berrios look like promising practice squad options. Devin Lucien also looks like he could spend another season on the practice squad after another strong summer.