New England Patriots: 53-man roster cut down analysis

By Hal Bent | Sep 4, 2018

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 30: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots stands on the sidelines against the New York Giants during a pre-season NFL game against at MetLife Stadium on August 30, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images /

LINEBACKERS (6)

Dont’a Hightower, Brandon King, Elandon Roberts, Kyle Van Noy, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Nicholas Grigsby

For the Patriots, the surprise was that they cut Marquis Flowers to keep special teams ace Grigsby. Grigsby looked solid in the role Flowers played as the pass coverage linebacker so the move was not altogether out of left field. King is special teams only at this point.

Rookie Christian Sam will redshirt in 2018 as an undisclosed injury put him on injured reserve. The Patriots released edge defender Harvey Langi who again has a strange injury with internal injuries from a hit at practice. He cleared waivers and is safely stashed on the practice squad.

Bentley has a chance to be the thumper the defense has missed since Brandon Spikes derailed his chance to play in the NFL. Having Hightower and Van Noy together on the field is such a boost for the defense that I cannot even get upset about “Wrong Assignment” Roberts making the squad.

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