Pats Pulpit
After a busy few days of transactions, the New England Patriots have officially set their initial 53-man roster. Despite the first roster being put together, plenty of movement is still set to transpire over the next several days.
“I think the next 10 days will be very fluid,” head coach Mike Vrabel said Friday. “As you guys all know, covering this league, there will be players that will come onto our roster, maybe from other teams, maybe there won’t. We’ll have to get down to 53 and then eventually a practice squad and the mix of practice squad players, of veterans and young players that may develop, or ones that you know we could activate.”
The Patriots will continue to tinker with the roster through the trade market and waiver wire, where they currently hold the No. 4 overall claim. However, with a full initial roster, a corresponding move would have to be made for any player successfully claimed — perhaps by moving players on the active roster to the injured reserve list, as they now have eligibility to return after a minimum of four games.
Additionally, New England will begin the process of putting their practice squad together.
For now, however, let’s analyze the team’s initial 53-man squad.
The Patriots wide receiver room featured perhaps the most active competition on the roster, and it ends with eight (!) players on the 53-man roster… for now.
While the top five of Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Kayshon Boutte were locked onto the roster, Efton Chism III, Kendrick Bourne, and Javon Baker all worked their way onto the roster. While the depth chart looks crowded, one of Chism, who has not practiced since preseason game No. 2, or Bourne, who go rolled up on on Aug. 1, could be headed for an injured reserve spot while Baker’s roster spot could be considered more as a special teamer.
Plenty of eyes were on the Patriots offensive line room ahead of cutdown day. In the end, New England keeps nine lineman with a projected starting five from left-to-right consisting of: Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, and Morgan Moses.
As for depth pieces, Vederian Lowe (left) and rookie Marcus Bryant (right) serve as the top two reserve tackles while Caedan Wallace and Ben Brown remain as top interior depth options. New England did release 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange, which leaves just Marcus Jones remaining as the lone member of that draft class.
Based on several reports, the Patriots were open to trading safety Kyle Dugger and edge-setter Anfernee Jennings as they were not viewed as ideal scheme fits in Mike Vrabel’s defense. For now, both veteran defenders remain on the 53-man roster to start the season.
On the offensive side of the ball, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne was viewed as a trade chip in a deep wide receiver room. As mentioned above, Bourne’s injury may have...
