Patriots 53-man roster projection: Speedy receiver wins roster battle for sixth spot

The Patriots are now one week into training camp, giving us a better sense of key roster battles at running back, wide receiver, offensive line and more.

Here’s our latest attempt at a 53-man roster projection with four weeks until league-wide roster cuts.

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QUARTERBACK (3)

In: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton III
Out: Bailey Zappe

Brissett currently has a commanding lead over Maye for the starting job. But there are still five weeks until Week 1 begins, and if Maye improves, then he could still overtake the veteran.

That’s the starting battle. The roster battle is between Milton and Zappe. They’re essentially splitting reps right now, so in that case, the tie goes to the rookie, especially one as physically gifted as Milton.

Wide receivers make note of Milton’s rocket arm nearly every day. He displayed it early in camp on a 60-yard bomb to rookie receiver Javon Baker.

RUNNING BACK (3)

In: Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson
Out: Deshaun Fenwick, JaMycal Hasty, Terrell Jennings

When Gibson was out on the non-football illness list, Harris, not Hasty, took over his reps. Harris has had a strong camp playing behind Stevenson and drew praise for his ability to lower his pad level from the starter on Tuesday. If the Patriots were to keep a fourth running back, then Hasty is a fine option, but he could also be stashed on the practice squad as a third-down back behind Gibson.

Gibson said this week that he loves his role in the Patriots’ new offense as a scat back being moved around formations.

WIDE RECEIVER (7)

In: Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton
Out: Kawaan Baker, Kayshon Boutte, JaQuae Jackson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, David Wallis

Our last 53-man roster projection had Smith-Schuster in and Thornton out. We’ve flipped them. We’ve also included Reagor this time as a kick returner.

Consider Javon Baker, Bourne, Douglas, Osborn and Polk as locks. It’s a tough competition for the sixth and seventh spots between Thornton, Boutte, Reagor and Smith-Schuster. Kawaan Baker and Jackson have also made plays in training camp.

But Thornton is receiving more reps than his competition in the first-team offense, and he’s doing the most with his opportunities. He hauled in two over-the-shoulder deep catches from Brissett on Monday. Reagor could wind up being a playmaker under the league’s new kickoff rules while adding another deep threat to the offense.

TIGHT END (3)

In: Jaheim Bell, Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper
Out: La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren, Mitchell Wilcox

Wilcox has been much more involved in the offense than Bell. But it’s worth keeping Bell on the 53-man roster for the upside and potential versatility he can bring. Wilcox can likely be kept on the practice squad as depth.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

In: Calvin Anderson, David Andrews, Jake Andrews, Nick Leverett, Chukwuma Okorafor, Mike Onwenu, Layden Robinson, Sidy Sow, Caedan Wallace
Out: Liam Fornadel, Zuri Henry, Michael Jordan, Vederian Lowe, Atonio Mafi, Charles Turner, Tyrone Wheatley
PUP: Cole Strange

Anderson was the last player to make our 53-man roster, and Mafi was one of the last to be left off. The Patriots simply need more depth at offensive tackle than at guard or center. Mafi has received a ton of reps at center with Jake Andrews still on the PUP list. His snapping has been inconsistent, and he’s battling for snaps at guard behind Leverett, Onwenu, Robinson and Sow.

The Patriots need a third tackle (or fourth if you include Onwenu), and Anderson is a swing option who can play on the left or right side. He just edges out Lowe for now.

EDGE DEFENDER (5)

In: Anfernee Jennings, Matthew Judon, Josh Uche, Keion White, Deatrich Wise
Out: William Bradley-King, John Morgan, Jotham Russell, Oshane Ximines

No major surprises here unless Ximines, a veteran, sneaks onto the roster. The Patriots still need to figure out Judon’s contract situation.

DEFENSIVE LINE (4)

In: Daniel Ekuale, Davon Godchaux, Jeremiah Pharms, Armon Watts
Out: Josiah Bronson, Trysten Hill, Sam Roberts
Reserve list: Christian Barmore

The Patriots say there’s no timeline on Barmore’s recovery from blood clots. The Patriots should be scouring the waiver wire and potential free-agent options if he’s going to miss considerable time. It’s not ideal to keep Bronson, Hill or Roberts on the roster in his place.

LINEBACKER (5)

In: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Christian Elliss, Raekwon McMillan, Sione Takitaki, Jahlani Tavai
Out: Steele Chambers, Joe Giles-Harris

Elliss is a special teams stud who has also shown some coverage skills on defense. McMillan has missed two of three seasons since joining the Patriots but is considered a team leader.

CORNERBACK (6)

In: Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial, Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones
Out: Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor, Shaun Wade, Marco Wilson

Wade is an option to make the 53-man roster if the Patriots are willing to keep seven cornerbacks. Hearn has had some moments in training camp, and Wilson is an experienced defender, but Austin has just been better than the rest of his competition for a roster spot.

SAFETY (5)

In: Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marte Mapu, Jabrill Peppers, Brenden Schooler
Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, Dell Pettus

Schooler, a core special-teamer, is seeing more time on defense this summer. Mapu has been limited most of camp, making Hawkins and Mapu the team’s top reserves at the position.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)

In: K Chad Ryland, P Bryce Baringer, LS Joe Cardona
Out: K Joey Slye

Slye has more misses in training camp through one week. Ryland already brings more upside as a 2023 fourth-round pick.

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