With the New England Patriots’ training camp right around the corner, now is a perfect time to try to predict their initial 53-man roster — if for no other reason than to laugh at myself when it happens.
A reminder that players can now start on injured reserve before the cutdown deadline and still come off, which adds a little flexibility for the team, even though it won’t have any impact on this prediction. Let’s get into it.
Quarterback (3)
In: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton III
Out: Bailey Zappe
This is a pretty obvious one. Unless Joe Milton looks like the worst player of all time in camp, or one of him, Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye gets hurt, this is almost certainly going to be the quarterback trio that the Patriots roll with. Milton is definitely a project, but has enough upside that I don’t believe they will risk putting him on waivers — which in turn will put an end to the Bailey Zappe era.
Running back (3)
In: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, JaMycal Hasty
Out: Deshaun Fenwick, Kevin Harris
PUP: Terrell Jennings
The Patriots go light at running back to start the season, mostly because they should be able to get Deshaun Fenwick and Kevin Harris onto the practice squad. With needs at other positions, and two strong starters up front in Stevenson and Gibson, the Patriots can afford to sacrifice some depth here for more bodies at other positions
Wide receiver (6)
In: DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Jalen Reagor, Kayshon Boutte
Out: Tyquan Thornton, JuJu Smith-Schuster, JaQuae Jackson, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis
PUP: Kendrick Bourne
Bourne being sent to the physically unable to perform list would force him to miss training camp, but would also give the Patriots some extra roster flexibility. That would help a player like Reagor, who is here almost exclusively as a returner: if Bourne doesn’t start on PUP, he might be one of the last men off. Fact is that the Patriots will get to see how the new return rules will impact the game, and make a decision on whether or not they need to keep Reagor after that.
K.J. Osborn seems to be the best veteran option at the position outside of Bourne. Kayshon Boutte, meanwhile, appeared to make some strides in the spring, and might bump Tyquan Thornton out for the final roster spot at receiver
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