Roster Projection 5.0- final thoughts for the final 53

Here we are, the final 53. It'll be interesting to see how the next few days measure my projection against others floating around, but even more interesting to see what this roster finally looks like. Let's jump right into it:

Quarterbacks (2)
Tom Brady
Jimmy Garoppolo

-I'm going to stick to my guns here, especially because Ryan Mallett is as good as he'll be in a Patriot uniform while Garoppolo is getting better daily. I'm not going to make my roster around Brady's leg falling off since the team is built around Brady's success as a top tier quarterback

Running backs (5)
Stevan Ridley
Shane Vereen
James White
Roy Finch
Brandon Bolden

-I have Finch over Jonas Gray because Finch would be a backup to Vereen's style of play. Bolden hits the roster for the first time thanks to some roster moves at other positions, but Gray hopefully slips onto the practice squad.

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

-No change here, as Josh Boyce did nothing to convince me he'll be making this team last night. He's a really nice guy, so it'll be sad to see him go, but the Patriots aren't a team who relies on sentiment.

Tight Ends/Fullback (4)
Rob Gronkowski
Michael Hoomanawanui
Tim Wright
James Develin

-Tim Wright fills that mystery TE spot I put in the last roster projection. I won't dislocate my arm patting myself on the back though, because it was very clear they needed a body from outside the roster to boost the quality of the tight end spot. I feel much better about it now.

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

-Logan Mankins deal frees up an extra roster spot, which Dan Connolly takes. His number now looks like an affordable guard number instead of an overpriced backup center. He's now in a pretty safe spot unless deals are made.

Defensive Linemen (6)
Vince Wilfork
Dominique Easley
Sealver Siliga
Jerel Worthy
Chris Jones
Joe Vellano

-With Will Smith and Tommy Kelly being cut, there were two spots opened up here. I'm glad Sealver Siliga's injury wasn't that serious, as he would've made the roster over Vellano in the last projection. The one additional spot will go to a linebacker in this situation since the team is moving to a 3-4 formation from all indications.

Linebackers (7)
Jerod Mayo
Dont'a Hightower
Jamie Collins
Steve Beauharnais
Chandler Jones
Rob Ninkovich
Darius Fleming


-I don't think that Fleming would clear waivers to make practice squad, so it's either losing him or Chris White. Fleming has more talent and upside, which is what you'd look for in a depth linebacker. Jones and Ninkovich add depth at two positions, and allows the team a lot of flexibility. If I'm getting one wrong outside of Mallett, it's probably one too many secondary players and one too few DL or LB.

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

-This is why I like the flexibility of not having Mallett on the roster, you can keep the safety slot a competition until after week 4 and see who hits it off better. Then at least one of your two cuts when Tyms and Browner come off suspension will be a safety. Easy to manage and forces players to continue to improve.

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

-Still have these right, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.


* 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

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Read more of my work here

Roster Projection 4.0
Roster Projection 3.0
Roster Projection 2.0
Roster Projection 1.0