The Patriots roster for 2021 is finally starting to take shape. With the new preseason format, the second week now rather than the third will likely be where the starters get most of their run prior to resting before the regular-season opener. There is still a lot of work left to be done and many tough decisions to be made. Players on the roster bubble will have one final chance to showcase their skillset in a live-action setting and make their case to the coaching staff why they belong on the opening day 53 man roster. Projecting this roster isn’t an exact science and there’s usually at least one surprise cut leading into opening day. Here is what the Patriots’ 53 man roster can be expected to look like following the second week of preseason action.
Quarterback (2): Cam Newton, Mac Jones, Jarrett Stidham (PUP)
Throughout Patriots training camp one of the biggest questions remained who would be the week 1 starter at the quarterback position. While Bill Belichick and the rest of the New England coaching staff appear to be set on Newton being the week one starter, don’t rule out the 2021 first-round pick just yet. Jones put forward a strong performance in the first two weeks of the preseason, as well as the previous two weeks in camp. If this pattern continues over the next few weeks, there may just be an official quarterback competition on the Patriots’ hands. Hoyer is not worth the roster spot but is definitely worth keeping around and will likely be able to slide onto the practice squad serving as a mentor for Jones.
Running Back (5): Damien Harris, Sony Michel, James White, Rhamondre Stevenson, J.J. Taylor
The problems faced by the Patriots at the running back position are good problems to have. Harris seems like a lock to be the week one starter while White projects to be the primary pass-catching back. Michel will serve as the primary backup and spell Harris between the tackles but will be challenged by Stevenson for this role after a strong performance in week one of the preseason, rushing for 127 yards and two touchdowns on 10 attempts. Taylor offers upside and insurance as a pass-catching back with White on a one-year contract, as well as contributing on special teams. Brandon Bolden is an unfortunate roster casualty. However, should N’Keal Harry either get traded or land on the PUP list or if Sony Michel finds his way into a trade package, look for Bolden to re-join the 53 man roster.
Wide Receiver (5): Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski, N’Keal Harry
Following the retirement of Julian Edelman and frankly downright abysmal performance of the wide receiving corps last season, the Patriots organization decided to give this position group a facelift. Additions of Agholor and Bourne through free agency should provide some much needed improvement at the position. Couple that with continued growth from Meyers, Olszewski, and Harry who are all still on their rookie contracts and the wide receiving corps could go from a glaring weakness, to one of the deeper positions on the roster. Isaiah Zuber and Kristian Wilkerson are tough roster casualties and both strong candidates for the practice squad, however, a roster spot could become available should a Harry trade materialize in the coming weeks.
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Tight End (3): Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Devin Asiasi, Jakob Johnson (Roster Exemption)
Much like the wide receiving corps, the tight end room is also getting a facelift. The Patriots were by far the worst in the league at tight end last season. Free-agent additions of Smith and Henry however turn this position from one of the weakest to one of the deepest in the league. While the duo of Smith and Henry is far from that of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, it’s the closest thing the Patriots have seen since and will be the strength of this offense in the 2021 season. The shift towards more two tight end sets could see Johnson lose some of his workload as a fullback, however, the roster exemption and Bellichick and Josh McDaniels’ affinity for a hard nose fullback keep him on the roster.
Offensive Line (8): Isaiah Wynn, Michael Onwenu, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Trent Brown, James Ferentz, Ted Karras, Justin Herron
All-pro left guard Joe Thuney left the Patriots in free agency signing a massive contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. While a free agent departure of his caliber would normally leave a glaring hole, second-year standout Onwenu can readily slide into his position to fill the hole. Onwenu spent a majority of last season at right tackle leaving that position empty, but the return of a familiar face in Brown helps to ensure that the offensive line remains a position of strength for New England moving forward.
Defensive Line (6): Lawrence Guy, Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise, Henry Anderson, Carl Davis
After finishing 26th in the league last season allowing 2,103 yards on the ground and finishing in the bottom half of the league in yards allowed per carry, it was clear that the defensive line needed an overhaul. The Patriots looked to address this issue trading up in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft to select Barmore, as well as signing Godchaux in free agency. Both players are big bodies that can eat up blocks and clog the running lanes with Barmore also offering pass rushing upside. The new faces up front coupled with the return of some old faces at the linebacker position should ensure that the Patriots won’t’ face the same struggles defending the run this year that they did in 2020.
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Linebacker (8): Dont’a Hightower, Matt Judon, Kyle Van Noy, Josh Uche, Chase Winovich, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Ronnie Perkins, Harvey Langi
Hightower returns from a COVID-19 opt-out. Van Noy latches back on in free agency after a surprisingly short stint with the Miami Dolphins. Judon signs a lucrative free-agent contract following back-to-back All-Pro selections. All should provide a boost to the Patriots pass rush which only managed to rack up 24 sacks last season finishing 26th in the league. Winovich surprisingly found himself on the roster bubble, battling injuries, and failing to find the field. A return to practice and a strong showing against the Philadelphia Eagles, he finds himself on the 53 man roster, but far from a lock.
Cornerback (6): J.C. Jackson, Stephon Gilmore, Jalen Mills, Justin Bethel, JoeJuan Williams, Jonathan Jones
Cornerback continues to be one of the positions of strength for this Patriots defense led by the lockdown tandem of Gilmore and Jackson. Jonathan Jones projects as the starting slot corner, and free agent acquisition Jalen Mills projects as a gadget player who can also take snaps at safety if necessary. Dee Virgin is one of the first men off the roster, but will likely try to be snuck through and stashed on the practice squad since he has flashed ability on special teams in kick coverage.
Safety (5): Devin McCourty, Adrian Philips, Kyle Dugger, Myles Bryant, Cody Davis
The New England secondary is deep and versatile. Both Mills and Williams have the capability to fill in at safety if necessary. Former second-round pick, Dugger appears to have taken a step forward following a relatively quiet rookie campaign. Look for Philips and Dugger to fill the hole left behind by Patrick Chung’s somewhat surprising retirement. Davis projects to contribute mostly on special teams but has shown flashes of coverage ability in the preseason.
Special Teams (5): Quinn Nordin, Jake Bailey, Joe Cardonna, Brandon King, Matthew Slater
Outside of the quarterback competition, the position battle at placekicker is arguably one of the most intriguing of the Patriots training camp. Nordin looked to have a stranglehold on the job over incumbent Nick Folk until a shaky outing against Philadelphia in the second week of the preseason. If Nordin can rebound and still be able to strike the ball with confidence, he should still have the edge. Folk however is a known commodity, and should Nordin continue to struggle in the coming weeks, look for Folk to slide into that roster spot.