53 Man Roster Projection 2.0 OTA, Pre-Training Camp Edition
The summer is in full swing and the Patriots are due to start training camp in less than 10 days. We’ve put out our primers for the team’s positional breakdown in the last two weeks. They can be referenced here:
We are taking our second look at a 53 Man Roster projection prior to Training Camp beginning. Just prior to Mini-camp we did our first roster projection and we’ll do more as the pre-season plays out.
It should be noted that many of these positions are wide open and camp competition is likely to swing back and forth between different players. That’s what training camp is for.
Bill Belichick will have a lot of decisions to make with the roster and rest assured, the 53 Man roster at the end of training camp will not be the same roster we see at the end of the season. Changes will be made and the inevitable injuries will occur.
So the 88-man roster as it now stands will have to be pared down to 53 and that means some players with talent will be let go. Breaking into a Super Bowl winning team’s roster is never an easy thing and some tough selections await the coaches.
Here is our 53-Man Roster Projection 2.0
First up the Offense…
Offense (24)
Quarterback (2) –*Tom Brady* (suspended Weeks 1-4), Jimmy Garoppolo, Matt Flynn
Right now, Tom Brady is suspended for the first four games and while Patriots Nation waits for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to make his decision on his appeal, he won’t count against the 53-man roster. That’s good news for Matt Flynn as he’ll back up Jimmy Garoppolo if Brady isn’t there to start the season.
Brady and Jimmy G. aren’t going anywhere and Flynn for the time being is a roster lock. In the unforeseen and very remote event that Goodell vacates Brady’s suspension, then look to Flynn being one of the final cuts in pre-season.
Running Backs (5) – *LaGarrette Blount* (suspended Week1), Brandon Bolden, James Develin, Jonas Gray, James White, Tyler Gaffney
Blount is suspended for Week 1, but other than he and Bolden, the field is open for competition. Blount is the big, bruiser for the first two downs as the between the tackles lead runner. Bolden can do a little of everything but is invaluable on special teams.
Develin can play FB, H-back and even a little tight end…so his slot may affect the number of tight ends kept on the roster. Gray and Gaffney are also candidates for the big back duties. Will three big backs be too many?
Another big question is who takes the place of Shane Vereen as the third down back. White (like last season), had a solid spring and was getting lots of looks in OTAs and mini-camp. Cadet and Lewis are also competing for that slot and it is wide open for someone to step up. Cadet has the most experience but hasn’t been asked to pass block much in the Saints system, where he played the past few seasons.
Out: Travaris Cadet, Dion Lewis
Tight End (4) – Rob Gronkowski, Scott Chandler, A.J. Derby, Michael Hoomanawanui
The team went with three tight ends down the stretch and in the Super Bowl for the 2014 season. With the addition of Scott Chandler, expect to see more of the “12” personnel grouping with 2 WRs, 2 TEs and a running back. Therefore they may opt to keep an extra TE to backup both Rob Gronkowski and Chandler.
Gronk remains the gold standard for TEs in the NFL. He enters 2015 with no questions about his health and coming off an impressive season as well as an outstanding playoff performance. Chandler gives the Patriots a twin presence at tight end that can attack the seams of the defense and provide mismatches with size and athleticism.
Hooman and the rookie Derby make it here, but Develin could factor in the decision and one of the two may find himself out if the coaches decide Develin can fill in at TE if needed.
Out: Jake Bequette, Jimmay Mundine
Wide Receiver (5) – Aaron Dobson, Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell, Danny Amendola, Brian Tyms
The top three, Edelman, LaFell and Amendola, all return and give Brady plenty of options. Dobson and Tyms are locked into competition with final four for the final two slots. Gibson worked with OC Josh McDaniels in St. Louis and may push for one of the final two slots. Harper and Krause may be candidates for the practice squad. Boyce is entering Year 3 and is firmly on the bubble
Out: Brandon Gibson, Josh Boyce, Jonathan Krause, Chris Harper
Offensive Line (8) – Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Cameron Fleming, Marcus Cannon, Ryan Wendell, Bryan Stork, Tre Jackson, Shaq Mason
Solder and Vollmer are healthy to start the season and are a solid duo. Cannon and Fleming can either back them up as swing tackles or play guard. With Dan Connolly retired, the rookies Jackson and Mason will compete with Wendell for starting reps. Stork is solid at center and will improve in his second season. Wendell can slide back over in case of injury.
Out: Josh Kline, Caylin Hauptman, Jordan Devey, Chris Barker, David Andrews, Kevin Hughes
Next up the Defense…
Defense (25)
Defensive Line (9) – Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Dominique Easley, Sealver Siliga, Malcom Brown, Jabaal Sheard, Alan Branch, Trey Flowers, Geneo Grissom
Big expectations for the inside guys, Brown with the team’s first draft pick and Easley last season’s top selection are the future. They can penetrate, disrupt plays in the backfield and get after the quarterback. Branch and Siliga are the big men who can fill gaps and stuff the run.
Ninkovich and Jones finally have a rotation with Sheard and in the draft they’ve added Grissom and Flowers. This is a potentially very deep group on the edge and with fresh legs, should be a more talented, attacking unit.
Right now this forces out veterans Chris Jones, Joe Vellano and Antonio Johnson. Zach Moore can still find his way onto the practice squad. But the competition will be intense.
Out: Zach Moore, Chris Jones, Joe Vellano, Antonio Johnson, Vince Taylor
Linebacker (6) - Jerod Mayo, Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower, James Morris, Dane Fletcher, Jonathan Freeny
The top three (Mayo, Collins and Hightower), are a talented, deep group. But Hightower and Mayo are coming off injuries/surgery and may not be ready to start the season. Many of the players currently on the roster are special teams’ performers.
I’ve been a big fan of Morris since they signed him (twice), as an UDFA last season. Fletcher returns to the Patriots after a year with the Bucs and brings versatility, and a nice knowledge of the system. For now former Dolphins’ STs stand-out Freeny beats out the rest, but this competition will be wide open.
I’m intrigued with newcomers Wells and Dickson. Wells brings superior athleticism and STs ability that will bear close watching. Dickson was a Jack linebacker in Alabama and could be a diamond in the rough. One or two of the guys on the out list can easily supplant any of the players after the top three.
Out: Dekoda Watson, Xzavier Dickson, Darius Fleming, Matthew Wells, Rufus Johnson, Eric Martin, D.J. Lynch
Cornerback (5) – Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler, Bradley Fletcher, Darryl Roberts, Robert McClain
No Revis, Browner, Arrington or Dennard in 2015….that is what you call turnover. Right now Ryan and Butler are (IMO), are your starting perimeter corners with McClain in the slot. Fletcher and the rookie Roberts get the nod as backups here.
Again, this position is pretty wide open and training camp will present plenty of opportunities for others to rise….or fall. This will probably be the position most watched during training camp this summer.
Out: Derek Cox, Daxton Swanson, Justin Green, Jimmy Jean
Safety (5) – Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Patrick Chung, Jordan Richards, Nate Ebner
McCourty, Chung and Harmon are all locks here. DMac just got rewarded with a big contract extension. Harmon will push Chung for starting reps and Richards by the benefit of his draft position, (2nd round selection) isn’t going anywhere.
So the final positional slot will be between Ebner, Wilson and King. Wilson brings a bit more to the table on defense but for now Ebner gets the nod for being a STs stand-out.
Out: Tavon Wilson, Brandon King
Next Special Teams…
Specialists (4) – Stephen Gostkowski, Ryan Allen, Joe Cardona, Matthew Slater
No drama here as none of the four specialists face any camp competition. Gostkowski just signed a nice four-year deal. Allen has been very solid as the Patriots punter. Slater is a Pro-Bowl gunner and a Team Captain. Cardona was a mild surprise 5th round draft pick as a long snapper from Navy. Don’t be shocked if the Patriots use one of the two remaining slots on the 90-man TC roster to bring in some competition for Cardona.
Total Roster (53)
Be sure to stay tuned to PatsFans.com for all your camp updates and we’ll be soon putting up our Roster Selection tool where you can act as the Patriots GM and put your own 53-man roster together.
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