Roster projection 3.0: Ryan Mallett off, Brian Tyms on

While the mood surrounding the team should be much happier after the victory against the Eagles last night, it's getting very serious as cut dates are fast approaching. As I teased on Twitter, there is a major change in the QB roster from the previous versions of this projection (links below for both). There are a few new faces, and some interesting fights happening. This is the last projection which won't take PUP into account, so for now those players take up one of the 53 spots.

Quarterbacks (2)
Tom Brady
Jimmy Garoppolo

-How things change over a few weeks. I went from certainty Ryan Mallet would be traded, to the Patriots not giving up on the player, to expecting Mallett to be cut. While Mallett played well, Garoppolo has outplayed him in both preseason games. Personally, I have more faith in Jimmy G's ability to lead the team to spot victories if needed. I can't say the same about Mallett.

Running backs (6)
Stevan Ridley
Shane Vereen
James White
Roy Finch
Brandon Bolden
Tyler Gaffney

-Bolden doesn't do enough on special teams to merit being a sure thing, but he easily could be a player added with the flexibility created by removing Mallett because of his downhill running. This could change if D.J. Williams is healthy and plays well at tight end, or if they sign a buzz worthy name at the tight end position.

Wide Receivers (8)
Julian Edelman
Danny Amendola
Aaron Dobson
Kenbrell Thompkins
Brandon LaFell
Josh Boyce
Matthew Slater
Brian Tyms*

-No change here except for the addition of Tyms, who has been the brightest spot at receiver over the first two games. Note that Tyms is suspended for the first four weeks, and wouldn't count against the 53 man roster, allowing extended looks at a few players. Tyms and Brandon Browner would need 2 roster spots after week 4, but with one being freed up after Gaffney hits the IR, only one player from this list would need to be cut (if nobody is on PUP or IR besides Gaffney)

Tight Ends/Fullback (3)
Rob Gronkowski
Michael Hoomanawanui
James Develin

-Nobody thinks there's a healthy option to play the 4th tight end spot at the moment. I'm not listing people who aren't currently here, but keep an eye on them adding a 4th player at the position. If D.J. Williams gets healthy and shows productivity then he has a shot. If Steve Maneri is on this roster I'll be stunned, he looked absolutely terrible.

Offensive Linemen (9)
Nate Solder
Sebastian Vollmer
Logan Mankins
Ryan Wendell
Josh Kline
Marcus Cannon
Jon Halapio
Bryan Stork
Cameron Flemming


-No change here, though I wouldn't be as certain on Dan Connolly getting cut. I still think it's likely he will be, but it's not a slam dunk. This section still looks right to me.

Defensive Linemen (8)
Rob Ninkovich
Vince Wilfork
Tommy Kelly
Chandler Jones
Dominique Easley
Will Smith
Jerel Worthy
Chris Jones

-Worthy is new here, and I feel that Bill Belichick would never give up an asset unless he was sure the player would benefit the team. Chris Jones is missing the rest of the preseason, but his play last season should aid his chances of making the roster. He should also thank Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich for being versatile enough to play both line and outside linebacker.

Linebackers (6)
Jerod Mayo
Dont'a Hightower
Jamie Collins
Chris White
Steve Beauharnais
Michael Buchanan

-James Anderson should be cursing the versatility praised above, as it makes his expendable. The young linebackers are looking solid throughout camp, and they may offer more upside than the veteran. Tough spot to be in, but there's a reason he was a free agent for so long.

Defensive Backs (10)
Darrelle Revis
Brandon Browner*
Logan Ryan
Alfonzo Dennard
Devin McCourty
Duron Harmon
Tavon Wilson
Kyle Arrington
Malcolm Butler
Nate Ebner

-You can all start cursing at me for leaving Patrick Chung off the roster again. He has played well, but I need to see it in the big audition (3rd preseason game) before I can actually believe it. For now I'm sticking with the guys I have here, but Wilson should be concerned that his seat is heating up.

Special Teams (3)
K- Stephen Gostowski
P- Ryan Allen
LS- Danny Aiken

-Danny Aiken made a great special teams play last night, while Tyler Ott failed to block properly on a punt and allowed it to be blocked. Now that there has been a significant difference in performance between the two I have to switch and give the nod to Aiken.

* next to a player means they are suspended for the first 4 games of the season, and will not count against the final 53 man roster until then

Any roster questions or comments for me? Tweet me @TheFib0624 or just comment below!


--Bill Stiles


Roster Projection 2.0
Roster Projection 1.0