The Patriots finalized their initial 53-man roster Tuesday afternoon by making 23 moves.

They released 16 players, placed three players on injured reserve, placed three players on the PUP list and one player on the non-football injury list.

The Patriots went heavy with seven wide receivers and seven cornerbacks, acknowledging that those were areas of strength. They’ll have some potential reserves coming off of the PUP, injured reserve and NFI lists after Week 5 with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, guard Cole Strange, linebacker Sione Takitaki, safety Marte Mapu and defensive tackle eligible to return.

Here’s the first look at the Patriots’ 53-man roster with a projected depth chart for Week 1:

Quarterback

Jacoby Brissett/Drake Maye, Joe Milton III

The Patriots are one of two teams, along with the Steelers, who have yet to announce their starting quarterback for the 2024 season. Head coach Jerod Mayo said earlier this week that his intention was to announce his decision to the team after roster cuts before informing the media.

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One quarterback competition was settled Tuesday on cutdown day, however, with Milton being kept on the roster and Bailey Zappe waived. That one did not come as much of a surprise.

That being said, it would not shock anyone if the Patriots added a fourth quarterback to their practice squad to serve as depth behind Brissett and Maye.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes against the Washington Commanders during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Running back

Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, JaMycal Hasty

One of the bigger surprises on cutdown day was the decision to waive running back Kevin Harris. Harris was an early standout in training camp when Gibson was unavailable on the non-football injury list. It was not a shock to see Hasty on the roster, however. He’s shown impressive athleticism on offense, and he’s one of the Patriots’ core special teamers.

Harris is a prime candidate to return to the practice squad to serve as depth if he clears waivers. Gibson has the size and experience to serve in an early-down role if Stevenson, the starter, gets injured. Undrafted free agent Terrell Jennings was also waived. He’s another possibility for the practice squad.

Wide receiver

Tyquan Thornton, K.J. Osborn/Ja’Lynn Polk, DeMario Douglas, Jalen Reagor, Javon Baker, Kayshon Boutte

PUP: Kendrick Bourne

The Patriots wound up keeping seven wide receivers, including Reagor and Boutte, both of whom were viewed as being on the bubble. It helped Reagor and Boutte that Bourne will start the season on the PUP list, meaning he’ll miss at least four weeks.

Thornton is expected to start at the “X” receiver spot, and Douglas will be the team’s top slot receiver. The third starting spot, in the “Z” role, comes down to Osborn and Polk. Polk has earned a starting job in training camp, but it all depends on whether the new offensive staff, led by offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, will trust a rookie wide receiver.

We say go for it.

Osborn can play all three wide receiver spots and would be a capable backup even if he doesn’t take a top job. Reagor will contribute as a returner and speed option on offense as Thornton’s top backup. It’s worth continuing to work with Boutte to develop him.

Tight end

Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell

There’s a clear pecking order here at tight end with Henry as the starter, Hooper as a backup and Bell as a developmental player. The Patriots didn’t shy from aligning in 12 personnel during training camp, which could mean Henry and Hooper sharing the field on certain sets, as well.

The Patriots cut tight ends Mitchell Wilcox, La’Michael Pettway and Jacob Warren. Wilcox was a favorite target of Patriots quarterbacks in training camp, so it woudln’t be surprising to see him stick around on the practice squad.

New England Patriots tight end Jaheim Bell #88 during practice at Gillette Stadium. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

Offensive line

OT/G Mike Onwenu, C David Andrews, OT Chukwuma Okorafor, G Sidy Sow, OT Vederian Lowe, G Layden Robinson, G Michael Jordan, C/G Nick Leverett, OT Caedan Wallace

PUP: Cole Strange

The Patriots will stick with this group for now, but Mayo hinted that the team could be scouring the waiver wire for more help at tackle and guard. Geron Christian is a veteran option who could interest the Patriots. He was released by the Titans on Tuesday but worked with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and offensive line coach Scott Peters on the Browns in 2023. The Packers also waived offensive tackle Caleb Jones, which seemed to come as somewhat of a surprise by Green Bay observers.

It’s tough to predict starters right now, because that is dependent on the health of Lowe and Sow. Lowe, who had been starting at left tackle, suffered an injury in practice last week. Sow injured his ankle in Sunday night’s preseason finale against the Commanders.

If both are healthy, the offensive line could go — left to right — Lowe, Sow, Andrews, Onwenu and Okorafor. If neither are healthy, it could be Okorafor, Jordan, Andrews, Robinson, Onwenu.

We’ll know more on Wednesday when the Patriots take the field for practice.

Defensive line

Keion White, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Deatrich Wise, Jeremiah Pharms, Trysten Hill

NFI (designated to return): Christian Barmore

This is another area where the Patriots could use their waiver claim to add a defensive tackle. The Patriots typically like to carry five at this position but cut Sam Roberts, Josiah Bronson and Armon Watts.

Godchaux, Ekuale and Pharms are the top defensive tackle. Hill can be used on passing downs as a rusher. White and Wise are both defensive ends who can also kick inside to rush on third down.

Expect White, Godchaux and Ekuale to be the top starters.

Linebacker

Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings, Joshua Uche, Raekwon McMillan, Oshane Ximines, Christian Elliss

PUP: Sione Takitaki

In choosing between Elliss and Joe Giles-Harris, the Patriots waived Giles-Harris. Elliss brings more experience on defense and special teams.

Takitaki will miss at least the first four weeks of the season after spending the entire summer on the PUP list.

Bentley and Tavai will start at inside linebacker, while Jennings will be a top outside linebacker on early downs. Uche and Ximines will serve as edge rushers, while McMillan and Elliss will back up Bentley and Tavai while playing top special-teams roles.

Cornerback

Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Marco Wilson, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial

Shaun Wade wound up being the odd-man out in this group as a slight surprise cut. Gonzalez, Jones and Jones will be the starters, and they have good depth with Wilson, Austin and Bolden. Dial struggled in the preseason, but he was working as the team’s top gunner on the punt team. He can continue to develop his skills on defense out of the slot.

New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) runs with the ball during an NFL football training camp, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

If Marcus Jones goes down with an injury, the Patriots could either slide Jonathan Jones into the slot and start Wilson or Austin outside, or they could move Bolden from the bench into the slot.

There’s some questions about Marcus Jones’ ability as a starter, but this is a deep group.

Safety

Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler

Injured reserve (designated to return): Marte Mapu

An undrafted free agent made the roster. Pettus was a standout in training camp and continued to progress as the summer wore on. The Patriots cut Joshuah Bledsoe and A.J. Thomas to make room for him.

Pettus will be a backup behind Dugger and Peppers, though Hawkins will be first in reserve. Schooler is the Patriots’ best special-teamer, and Mayo has shown interest in using him on defense this summer, as well.

Special teams

K Joey Slye, P Bryce Baringer, LS Joe Cardona

Slye won the kicking job over incumbent Chad Ryland. Ryland started the summer slightly better than Slye until the veteran pulled away over the second half of training camp.

The Patriots wound up cutting Ryland.