The Patriots’ preseason opener is officially hours away, bringing us one step closer to real football.
It’s been a competitive training camp thus far for New England, with different sides coming out on top just about every day. Though the top depth chart is virtually locked in at every position, there are several depth and special teams slots still up for grabs. And as useful as training camp is for establishing that hierarchy, preseason games are often the difference between a roster spot and the waiver wire.
Now, with the summer coming closer to an end, itβs time to reset and project what the Patriotsβ 53-man roster could look like come cut-down day. These outlooks will change as roster moves continue and competition ramps up, but they serve as a snapshot of each position at this stage of the offseason calendar.
Changes and additions made since my post-offseason projection are underlined.
Quarterback (3)
In: Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito, Behren Morton (R)
Out: None
Drake Maye hasnβt had a perfect summer, but acclimating to new weapons is behind many of his lowlights. He als has visibly more command of the offense, and he’s bounced back from every slow start we’ve seen.
There never seemed to be a true battle for the backup job, but Tommy DeVito has separated himself from Behren Morton with steady improvement and some attention-grabbing throws.
Running Back (4)
In: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Terrell Jennings, Lan Larison
Out: JaMycal Hasty, Hassan Haskins, Jam Miller (R)
Terrell Jennings couldβve slipped down the depth chart after starting camp on the non-football injury list, but heβs been the backup offenseβs top workhorse since returning to the field. Meanwhile, Lan Larison has been the second unitβs top passing down back.
Jam Miller has flashed more than I expected this summer, but heβll likely need to stand out in the kicking game to push for a roster spot.
Wide Receiver (6)
In: A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Efton Chism III, Kyle Williams
Out: Kyle Dixon (R), Nick DeGennaro (R), Cameron Dorner (R), Kobe Prentice (R), Tejhaun Palmer
Traded: Kayshon Boutte
Injured Reserve: Jeremiah Webb, Jimmy Kibble (R)
A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs got off to slow starts this summer, but their rapport with Maye has noticeably improved. Theyβll be the top two options with DeMario Douglas as the clear third in three-receiver sets.
Kayshon Boutte has been the offense’s most consistent downfield option, but his more pronounced role with the backups makes a trade feel imminent, barring an injury at the position.
Mack Hollins has spent most of his time with the twos, but his role as a blocker should keep him safe unless the team trusts Efton Chism III, whoβs gotten a decent number of starting snaps, to take over.
Kyle Williams has been buried behind veterans as he learns to play all three receiver positions, but his unique speed and ball tracking are too valuable to keep off the field. Heβll have a role on game days.
Cameron Dorner looked like the teamβs best undrafted receiver before being sidelined with an injury. This led to more opportunities for Nick DeGennaro, whoβs shown impressive ball skills, particularly downfield, and short-area quickness. Dorner and DeGennaroβs lack of size could make them redundant on the practice squad, but both should compete for a spot if Dorner returns to form.
Kyle Dixon hasnβt stood out consistently, and he’s missed the past two practices with an injury, but his intriguing size and athletic profile could be worth keeping around.
Tight End (4)
In: Hunter Henry, Reggie Gilliam, Eli Raridon (R), Tanner Arkin (R)
Out: Jack Westover, CJ Dippre, Mitch Van Vooren
Injured Reserve: Julian Hill
Hunter Henry should be around for at least two more seasons after signing an extension on Monday, but heβll have an even smaller role on early downs to maximize his talent and keep him fresh.
Eli Raridon and Tanner Arkin have been thrust into key roles since Julian Hillβs season-ending injury, and both have impressed as alignment-versatile pieces and promising blockers. Raridon has also been a regular receiving presence over the middle and in the red zone.
Jack Westover has almost exclusively repped with backups, falling behind both Reggie Gilliam and Arkin on the depth chart. CJ Dippre is also facing an uphill climb to a roster spot.
Offensive Tackle (5)
In: Morgan Moses, Will Campbell, Marcus Bryant, Caleb Lomu (R), Dametrious Crownover (R)
Out: Lorenz Metz
Five tackles might seem like overkill, but it’s a spot where you can’t have enough depth.
Will Campbell and Morgan Moses remain entrenched as the starting bookends, with Campbell drawing praise from coaches and teammates for his improved technique.
Marcus Bryant might have the lead in the swing tackle battle after stepping up for an injured Campbell last week. Mike Vrabel also shouted out the Missouri product for getting stronger this offseason. Caleb Lomu has been up-and-down, but thatβs to be expected of a player making the leap from Utah to the NFL. On the bright side, he seems to be minimizing repeat mistakes and will have a role as a jumbo tight end.
Dametrious Crownover might be a long shot as a regular member of the third unit, but his unique size and movement skills could make him too risky to expose to waivers.
Interior Offensive Line (5)
In: Mike Onwenu, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Ben Brown, James Hudson III
Out: Andrew Rupcich, Mehki Butler, Jacob Rizy (R), JonDarius Morgan (R)
This might be the toughest position to project, as the Patriots are looking shallow on the interior beyond their starting three.
Ben Brown is projected to be the interior’s super sub, but heβs best suited at center.
Career tackle James Hudson III has played almost exclusively inside following Caedan Wallaceβs demotion and eventual trade to the Miami Dolphins, and that versatility could give him the leg up in a roster battle.
Andrew Rupcich, being a natural guard, could give him a path to the 53, but I wouldnβt be surprised to see another name in that fourth or fifth spot come Week 1.
Edge Defender (3)
In: DreβMont Jones, Elijah Ponder, Gabe Jacas
Out: Bradyn Swinson, Amari Gainer, Jesse Luketa, Quintayvious Hutchins (R), Xavier Holmes (R)
PUP: Harold Landry III
Iβm cheating a bit here, because I think the fourth member of this group is currently on another roster.
Harold Landry III hasnβt been seen on a football field since the Super Bowl as he rehabs from a significant knee injury. It would be a surprise if Landry is active in Week 1 given his complete lack of football activity to this point.
DreβMont Jones, Elijah Ponder, and Gabe Jacas are roster locks, but the group has been more flashy than consistently disruptive, though Jacasβ second-round status is visible in his frame and play style.
Bradyn Swinson seemed like a prime year-two leap candidate entering the summer, but that has yet to translate to the field consistently, and he appears to be battling Jesse Luketa, Amari Gainer, Quintayviois Hutchins, and Xavier Holmes for the fourth edge spot. Each of these players has had their moments in camp, but Iβm not sure anyone has done enough to earn more than a role as a practice squad elevation candidate. Instead, the Patriots could make a waiver claim or pull off a trade to add more proven or high-upside depth.
If I had to pick someone currently in camp, Iβd bet on Hutchinsβ athletic upside and special teams potential. I could also see Holmes making a late push, given his power and flashes of awareness.
Interior Defensive Line (6)
In: Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Leonard Taylor III, Eric Gregory
Out: Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Isaiah Iton, Casey Rogers
Joshua Farmer has been one of the standouts of the summer and could have a prominent role in run defense.
Eric Gregory has slid into the backup nose tackle role with Cory Durden taking over for Khyiris Tonga, but Isaiah Iton has also flashed in the middle of the defensive front.
Leonard Taylor IIIβs first-step quickness and knack for batting passes have flashed throughout the summer, and Iβd expect him to round out the defensive tackle group.
Linebacker (5)
In: Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Chad Muma, Khalil Jacobs (R), Namdi Obiazor (R)
Out: K.J. Britt, Riley Wilson (R)
Chad Muma has surpassed my expectations to become the clear third linebacker on the depth chart, even donning the green dot with the starters at times.
Undrafted rookie Khalil Jacobs has l been another pleasant surprise due to his play speed and nose for the football. He appears to be higher on the depth chart than sixth-rounder Namdi Obiazor, whoβs been quieter defensively but has the skill set to excel on special teams.
K.J. Britt seemed like a one-to-one replacement for current Cardinal Jack Gibbens as a physical run-stopper, but the defense seems to be opting for younger, more athletic players at the position, which fits their attacking style.
Cornerback (5)
In: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Charles Woods, Karon Prunty (R)
Out: Kindle Vildor, Marcellas Dial Jr., Kobee Minor, Brandon Crossley, Channing Canada (R), Kenneth Harris (R)
Christian Gonzalez is having his best career summer with a contract extension looming, proving to be a consummate professional. Heβll make a push for the best player at his position, and I expect heβll be paid accordingly.
Carlton Davis III returned this week after being sidelined with a hamstring injury since July 28, and I doubt the time off will be anything but beneficial long-term, assuming the injury doesnβt linger.
Marcus Jonesβ summer has been highlighted by a pick of Maye, where he buzzed under a throw to Boutte. Jones remains a sticky cover man with sneaky blitzing ability, and his battles with Douglas are some of the best in camp.
Charles Woods has been the top backup when healthy, but heβs missed time due to injury, and Kindle Vildor has made plays in his absence during the spring and summer. The fourth corner spot could come down to Woodsβ availability, but Karon Prunty seems like a safe bet for the fifth spot due to his size, athleticism, and downfield competitiveness.
Though Marcellas Dial Jr., Kobee Minor, Brandon Crossley, and Channing Canada have been competitive at times, they seem destined for practice squad roles.
Safety (3)
In: Kevin Byard III, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus
Out: Mike Brown, John Saunders Jr., Peter Manuma (R), Eric Butler (R)
There seemed to be a wide-open competition for the third safety spot early in camp, especially with the defense experimenting with more big nickel packages. However, Dell Pettus has seemingly created distance from the pack with his experience in the system and positional versatility.
Mike Brown could carve out a role for himself on special teams, but his lack of speed has been exposed at times defensively.
John Saunders Jr. brings size to the position and has intercepted two passes with the backup units this summer, but heβs more of a practice squad candidate at this stage.
Special Teams (4)
In: Brenden Schooler, Bryce Baringer, Andy Borregales, Julian Ashby
Out: Niko Lalos
None of the Patriotsβ specialists have faced true competition this summer, which makes this projection fairly straightforward.
Andy Borregales has been nearly perfect outside of one or two practices, and Bryce Baringer has been solid.
Julian Ashby is currently nursing an ankle injury, which led to Niko Lalos’s return, but he isnβt expected to miss significant time.
Brenden Schooler has spent the entire summer on the non-football injury list. This could simply be precautionary, especially given Schoolerβs status as one of the leagueβs top specialists, but it wouldnβt be a surprise if his 2026 debut is slightly delayed.
