The Patriots are entering their third week of training camp.
Let’s take another crack at a 53-man roster projection with the Patriots’ first preseason game of the summer on the horizon this week against the Commanders.
QUARTERBACK (2)
Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
- There’s value in keeping another quarterback with the new emergency third QB rule that allows teams to dress an extra signal-caller without making him active. And rookie Ben Wooldridge has had some decent moments in training camp. Has it been enough for a third quarterback spot? Probably not. He had a tough time in Friday night’s in-stadium scrimmage, going 1-of-4 with an interception.
RUNNING BACK (4)
Antonio Gibson, TreVeyon Henderson, Lan Larison, Rhamondre Stevenson
- Larison, an undrafted free agent out of UC Davis, is one of the last players to make our 53-man roster. He’s received enough reps with the first-team offense to include him. The Patriots historically kept a pretty deep group at running back, and Larison has more upside than Terrell Jennings. He did have a bad drop on Friday that led to an interception.
WIDE RECEIVER (6)
Kayshon Boutte, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Ja’Lynn Polk, Kyle Williams
- This is more of a projection than what we’re currently seeing in practice. Kendrick Bourne is currently seeing more reps than Polk, but he’s 29 years old and isn’t having a productive training camp. He had his best year under returning offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, but that was four years ago. Hollins already brings a veteran presence in McDaniels’ offense. Head coach Mike Vrabel said he was impressed by Polk’s effort to return from an injury early in training camp. Polk brings outside-inside versatility and can still bring upside as a 2024 second-round pick. The Patriots could keep just five players in this group. Javon Baker and Efton Chism are still vying for roster spots, as well.
TIGHT END (3)
Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Gee Scott Jr.
Jack Westover is currently seeing more practice reps than Scott, but Scott, an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State, has been a better receiving option in camp. It’s a crowded group at tight end with Jaheim Bell, CJ Dippre, Tyler Davis and Cole Fotheringham also on the roster competing for spots.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Garrett Bradbury, Ben Brown, Marcus Bryant, Will Campbell, Demontrey Jacobs, Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu, Caedan Wallace, Jared Wilson
- Cole Strange had a tough week last week. He began training camp as the team’s top left guard. By the end of the week, he was receiving second-team reps at center behind Ben Brown and with Garrett Bradbury out with injury. That thrust Wilson into the top spot at left guard with Wallace behind him. We’ll see how the interior offensive line shakes out when Bradbury returns, but for now, it appears Strange is the third-string center. Campbell, Wilson, Bradbury, Onwenu and Moses project as the starters with Brown as the backup center, Jacobs a swing tackle, Wallace as the backup guard and Bryant as a developmental option at tackle.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5)
Christian Barmore, Joshua Farmer, Jeremiah Pharms, Khyiris Tonga, Milton Williams
- Jaquelin Roy was a difficult omission based on training camp reps. Barmore and Williams will start. Tonga will be on the field when the Patriots want to go big up front, and Pharms has been a regular on defense. Farmer is a developmental option as a 2025 fourth-round pick.
EDGE DEFENDERS (6)
Truman Jones, Keion White, K’Lavon Chaisson, Anfernee Jennings, Harold Landry, Bradyn Swinson
- Jones has impressed coaches dating back to the spring. That’s how he earned an offseason award in training camp. Here’s what Vrabel had to say about Jones on Friday: “Yeah, he was an off-season award winner and worked extremely hard. Knows both spots, outside linebacker. He’s improved, I think, special teams. … But he’s a smart player and who I think physically has changed his body and is on par with what those outside linebackers look like.”
LINEBACKER (4)
Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Robert Spillane, Jahlani Tavai
- This is a little shallow, but the Patriots will probably only have two off-ball linebackers on the field at any point. Marte Mapu, Monty Rice and Cam Riley are seeing opportunities on defense, as well, with Tavai banged up. But that group is clumped together pretty tightly. The Patriots might be able to keep their linebacker depth on the practice squad rather than on the 53-man roster.
CORNERBACK (5)
Alex Austin, Carlton Davis III, Christian Gonzalez, D.J. James, Marcus Jones
- There isn’t a sixth cornerback who has made a strong enough impression. Marcellas Dial Jr. could make the team for his special teams prowess, but since last summer, he’s struggled in coverage. James has been a huge riser in training camp. He could help take over Dial’s role on special teams.
SAFETY (6)
Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler, Dell Pettus
- This is one of the deeper positions on the roster. Marcus Epps wasn’t an easy cut, but Dugger, Peppers, Woodson, Hawkins and Pettus have been better this summer.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
Andres Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby
- The Patriots keep their sixth-round pick, Borregales, over Parker Romo.
Last five in: Gee Scott, DJ James, Truman Jones, Lan Larison, Ja’Lynn Polk
Last out: Jack Westover, Jaquelin Roy, Marcellas Dial, Kendrick Bourne, Cole Strange
