Patriots 53-man roster projection: Who will survive cutdown day in 2023?

Patriots

Invoice Belichick has till 4 p.m. on Tuesday to trim the 70-plus gamers on the roster to 53.

Cutdown day is sort of right here, and the Patriots have some choices to make on who will make the staff, who will be a part of the observe squad, and who will likely be launched from the group.

Invoice Belichick has till 4 p.m. on Tuesday to trim the 70-plus gamers on the roster to 53.

So, what surprises does Belichick have in retailer for the roster this yr? Will his streak of getting at the least one undrafted free-agent make the staff yearly since 2004 dwell on? Was that landing towards the Texans sufficient to land Malik Cunningham on the staff? What number of receivers will New England persist with? Is there a spot for Trey Flowers on the defensive position?

Here’s a projection of who will make the Patriots 53-man roster.

Quarterback

Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.

Notes: Malik Cunningham was a tricky minimize at this spot due to his potential as a cell quarterback, however the Patriots don’t appear totally offered on him as a signal-caller since they spent most of coaching camp working with him as a receiver. With Jones seemingly beginning and Zappe seemingly in a backup position, the Patriots could try to stash Cunningham on the observe squad.

Operating again

Ezekiel Elliott, Rhamondre Stevenson, Ty Montgomery

Notes: Stevenson and Elliott needs to be locks to make the staff. J.J. Taylor confirmed some explosiveness throughout the Patriots’ preseason finale towards the Titans, however when he’s wholesome Montgomery appears to have the sting on the third working again spot.

Extensive receiver

JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte

Notes: Rookie Demario Douglas has been a pleasing shock at receiver, catching the second-most passes of any Patriot receiver throughout coaching camp. Smith-Schuster, Bourne, and Parker are additionally amongst Jones’s prime targets. Whereas his manufacturing hasn’t essentially been there, Tyquan Thornton’s velocity provides a dimension to the Patriots offense that they will not be prepared to surrender on but. Kayshon Boutte is one other intriguing prospect at receiver.

Tight finish

Mike Gesicki, Hunter Henry, Matt Sokol

Notes: Henry and Gesicki are each an enormous a part of the Patriots’ cross catching plan on offense. With Gesicki enjoying extra of a giant receiver position than one in all a conventional tight finish, it might make sense to have a 3rd tight finish on the roster for depth functions. Sokol’s measurement and physicality give him the sting over Anthony Firkser.

Offensive line

Trent Brown, Cole Unusual, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Jake Andrews, Antonio Mafi, Sidy Sow, Tyrone Wheatley Jr., Vederian Lowe

Notes: Proper deal with has been a query mark for the Patriots, so that they traded for a pair of tackles in Wheatley and Lowe proper earlier than cutdown day. Brown, Unusual, Andrews, and Onwenu will seemingly begin. New England will proceed to develop rookies Andrews, Mafi, and Sow.

Line of defense

Lawrence Man, Christian Barmore, Keion White , Deatrich Sensible, Davon Godchaux, Sam Roberts, Daniel Ekuale

Notes: Man, Barmore, Sensible, and Godchaux look like the highest 4 on this group. Keion White was one of many Patriots’ extra spectacular gamers throughout preseason and will earn himself some snaps as he continues to enhance. Accidents have held Trey Flowers again in recent times, and he started his Patriots tenure on the PUP checklist. Ekuale and Roberts stick round for depth.

Linebacker

Matthew Judon, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Josh Uche, Marte Mapu, Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings, Mack Wilson

Notes: Linebacker is among the many Patriots’ strongest place teams. Judon, Bentley, and Uche are key items of the protection. Jahlani Tavai performed in all 17 video games final yr, making 57 tackles. Rookie Marte Mapu was a standout throughout OTA’s/minicamp and seems to be on the mend. Mack Wilson and Anfernee Jennings seize roster spots forward of Calvin Munson and Ronnie Perkins.

Cornerback

Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones, Marcus Jones, Myles Bryant

Notes: First-round choose Gonzalez is poised to develop into a Day 1 starter. Jonathan Jones battled accidents all through the preseason, however is anticipated to be prepared for Week 1. Jack Jones is a query mark primarily based on his authorized scenario, however will play significant snaps if he’s obtainable. Marcus Jones is among the most explosive particular groups weapons within the recreation. Bryant began six video games final yr, and will have a spot on the staff this yr.

Security

Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips, Jalen Mills

Notes: No surprises right here. Dugger, Peppers, Phillips, and Mills are all veterans with roles on this staff. The Patriots are changing Devin McCourty with a by-committee strategy, and so they’ll want each little bit of their depth on the place to do it.

Particular groups

Chad Ryland, Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona, Matthew Slater, Brendan Schooler, Chris Board 

Notes: Ryland and Baringer, the primary rookie-punter duo to be drafted by one staff in the identical yr, each seem more likely to make the roster. Slater and Schooler will lead return protection, together with Chris Board, whom Belichick referred to as the most effective particular groups gamers within the recreation. Joe Cardona returns at lengthy snapper.