Roster projection 4.0- linebacker shuffle/safety security

Quarterbacks (2)
Tom Brady
Jimmy Garoppolo

-Mallett playing that spot role last night may indicate he ends up making the team. It's a realistic game situation for a backup, and would make sense if keeping him (or shopping him around as a backup instead of starter). It's never been about a lack of talent from Mallett, it's more about the fast developing Jimmy G. I'm not putting Mallett back on because of his performance as I wasn't impressed, but we aren't privy to what happens in practice. Mallett has every possibility to be here week 1.

Running backs (5)
Stevan Ridley
Shane Vereen
James White
Roy Finch
Tyler Gaffney

-At this point I think Jonas Gray is ahead of Bolden in odds of making the roster, though I think both end up on the practice squad (Bolden is eligible under the new rules having only 22 games of experience). Finch I'm high on because he's been a starting returner through preseason, and I think that is an underrated role for him to be holding.

Wide Receivers (7)
Julian Edelman
Danny Amendola
Aaron Dobson
Kenbrell Thompkins
Brandon LaFell
Matthew Slater
Brian Tyms*

-Boyce has fallen fast, and is no longer on the roster on this projection. He is practice squad eligible, and his limited action may suggest the Patriots are trying to keep him under the radar so they can slide him there. Gray, Bolden, Boyce would be a nice offensive start to a practice squad.

Tight Ends/Fullback (4)
Rob Gronkowski
Michael Hoomanawanui
Free Agent TE addition
James Develin

-D.J. Williams is released, and Justin Jones is not a polished enough player to make this roster without first honing skills on the practice squad. I'm sort of tired of guessing a player at another position to fill this void until they sign a tight end (likely after the 53 man is set and they IR RB Gaffney), so I'm just leaving a spot open for that.

Offensive Linemen (10)
Nate Solder
Sebastian Vollmer
Logan Mankins
Ryan Wendell
Josh Kline
Marcus Cannon
Jon Halapio
Bryan Stork
Cameron Flemming
Jordan Devey

-Devey is my only change to this unit, as the start has to merit him consideration to make the roster. For the Ryan Mallett fans, you'd likely see them try to slide a player here onto the practice squad if they were to keep him, so take your pick of the younger guys for that.

Defensive Linemen (7)
Vince Wilfork
Tommy Kelly
Dominique Easley
Will Smith
Jerel Worthy
Chris Jones
Joe Vellano

-Vellano should play the lottery, his luck is at an all time high. Injuries in front of him, and the rotations we've seen of Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich playing linebacker (either in practice or in game) have allowed for some adapting of the roster outlook. If they're using Jones more as an outside linebacker, then Vellano's size becomes an advantage and he makes the roster.

Linebackers (6)
Jerod Mayo
Dont'a Hightower
Jamie Collins
Steve Beauharnais
Chandler Jones
Rob Ninkovich


-James Anderson did nothing to make me think he holds on to this roster. Beauharnais is impressive physically so I'm hopeful that he sticks. Jones and Ninkovich allow for flexibility that comes at the cost of Darius Fleming and Chris White. They could put Fleming on the practice squad, but they would lose Chris White, not that there is a massive loss there.

Defensive Backs (11)
Darrelle Revis
Brandon Browner*
Logan Ryan
Alfonzo Dennard
Devin McCourty
Duron Harmon
Tavon Wilson
Kyle Arrington
Malcolm Butler
Nate Ebner
Patrick Chung

-Chung has merited a look on the roster here, mostly because decisions don't have to be made until after week 4. Allow Chung, Wilson, Harmon to practice and gain reps until Browner returns, then cut the one who is least effective for the team both on defense and special teams. That's why I don't mention Ebner as one of the cut options, his special teams production is very strong.

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

-No change here. Between these 3 and Brady I've got at least 4 right, new record.


* 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 3.0
Roster Projection 2.0
Roster Projection 1.0