Pats: 53-man Roster Projections

ShaneTrot

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Final Roster Projection
QB(2)Newton, Jones
RB/FB(6): Harris, White, Stevenson, Taylor, Bolden, Johnson
WR(5): Agholor, Bourne, Meyers, Gunner, Harry
TE(3): Henry, Smith, Asiasi
OL(9): Wynn, Onwenu, Andrews, Mason, Brown, Karras, Herron, Ferentz, Cajuste
DL(5): Guy, Barmore, Godcheaux, Wise, Davis
LB(7): Hightower, KVN, Uche, Bentley, Judon, Perkins, Jennings
CB(6): Gilmore, Jackson, Jones, Mills, Williams, Wade
SAF(4): DMC, Dugger, Phillips, Bryant
ST(6): Cardona, Bailey, Folk, Slater, Davis, Bethel

--Mills can bounce back and forth between CB and S so they really have 5 safeties plus Cody Davis.
--I added Cajuste as the swing tackle and 9th OL as Herron has been used as more of an extra blocking TE/6th OL in preseason games. Therefore, you need another body that can play tackle and Cajuste has popped lately.
--I am still not sure that Anfernee Jennings makes the roster, but he's a 2nd year player and it's rare that BB lets those guys go(outside of Duke Dawson).
--I am also not sure that Carl Davis makes the roster as 5 DL seems to be too many, but he's looked pretty good and has been playing meaningful snaps.
--I took off a TE(LaCosse) and added another RB in Bolden. With Sony gone, his spot seems safe along with JJ Taylor.
--JJW is squarely on the bubble, but I think he ultimately makes it.
--2 QBs is a risk, but I think they can get a QB to the practice squad and bring him up when they need him whether it's Hoyer or a FA after cuts.
You don't think Winovich makes it? I am betting Jennings gets redshirted this year.
 

Jungleland

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With IR->return only 3 weeks again, I assume the free roster spot is worth more than having Harry available in week 3 when he might otherwise be ready to play again. Wouldn't shock me if Bolden or Johnson appears to not make the team, and is signed the next day when NH goes to IR. Seems we've all cooled on Wilkerson, but he might be worth a regular season look with Gunner an (imo) equally if not moreso iffy WR4.
 

Bowhemian

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Traded. It's either him or Jennings for the last LB spot and I think they lean towards keeping Jennings because they can get more for Wino in a trade
Interesting. Wino is a tough one to figure out. Not a ton of playing time, has made some impact plays, but seems to be in the doghouse for whatever reason. Maybe he is just not a good fit on this team, but he could be a perfect fit somewhere else. Or he is just not as good as I initially thought.

I sure do wish he would get a haircut though.
 

lexrageorge

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Wino had a real solid game in the 2nd preseason game and has looked good in practice. I doubt very much he is getting cut.
 

Ferm Sheller

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Reminder that it's a pretty quick turnaround for final cuts as they're due Tuesday by 4:00 ET. They need to cut 27 players to get down to 53 from 80.
 
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Well, from the looks of tonight - performance AND when he played - it appears Michael Jackson (Hee hee) Jr. will get cut ASAP. He was...not great. Notable to see guys like Henry Anderson and Wino (and JoeJuan Williams) playing so deep into the game. Seemed like Wino and Anderson went wire-to-wire, and maybe it's just a matter of "SOMEONE has to play," but I was surprised to see them in there late in the 4th.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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Would it be nuts to trade Gunner? JJT seems like he could take over PR just fine.
Knowing how fragile RBs can be, in addition to JJT's size, that would be a mistake IMO.

Gunner is a proven ST player. Edelman had 14 & 9 targets in years 2 & 3. He didn't break out until year 5.

It'd be overreaching to say Gunner will be an Edelman. It does tell me that GO's value as an All-Pro level returner should be good enough to make the team.
 

DourDoerr

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Knowing how fragile RBs can be, in addition to JJT's size, that would be a mistake IMO.

Gunner is a proven ST player. Edelman had 14 & 9 targets in years 2 & 3. He didn't break out until year 5.

It'd be overreaching to say Gunner will be an Edelman. It does tell me that GO's value as an All-Pro level returner should be good enough to make the team.
+1 on all this. Gunner has proven he has talent, but has a long ways to go to be a starting WR, let alone JE. The Giants game drop, failure to come back to the ball, and running the wrong route resulting in a MJ sack is an all-time dog. That said, he's already a Pro-Bowler with some promise as a WR and he's cheap. That's valuable.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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+1 on all this. Gunner has proven he has talent, but has a long ways to go to be a starting WR, let alone JE. The Giants game drop, failure to come back to the ball, and running the wrong route resulting in a MJ sack is an all-time dog. That said, he's already a Pro-Bowler with some promise as a WR and he's cheap. That's valuable.
To be fair, Lazar also suggested that Gunner could be a surprise cut. The reasoning was that GO doesn't contribute enough at not just the WR position but in other (non-punt returning) ST phases.
 

Jimbodandy

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To be fair, Lazar also suggested that Gunner could be a surprise cut. The reasoning was that GO doesn't contribute enough at not just the WR position but in other (non-punt returning) ST phases.
Definitely possible, but I'd be disappointed to see it. He's valuable in ST and has improved his route running to my eyes. Still not there on the latter and needs hands work no doubt, but his quickness in and out of cuts and separation has improved. On a team that has struggled to find open receivers the last couple of years, it would be nice to continue developing him imo.
 

DourDoerr

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To be fair, Lazar also suggested that Gunner could be a surprise cut. The reasoning was that GO doesn't contribute enough at not just the WR position but in other (non-punt returning) ST phases.
Hadn't seen that and he's certainly closer to the action, so I'd guess a cut is possible. I'd be surprised though as he not only offers quality, reliable (always a big factor with BB) punt returns, but he's doing it at an elite level and, again, is cheap. My guess is the promise he shows as a WR option - certainly a break glass WR candidate unlike Slater - puts him well over the top.
 

GB5

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I think there are going to be guys we dont see coming getting clipped. For instance, we have assumed that one of the Harry, gunner, Wilkinson trio is going to get cut. Wouldnt stun me if all three get cut and they pick up a wide receiver from outside the organization. Joejuan or Mike Jack, wouldnt be crazy to me if they both went.
 

bsj

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Would it be nuts to trade Gunner? JJT seems like he could take over PR just fine.
The issue I have with this is....I'm already seeing projections that we may only keep 4 WR and thats WITH Gunner (I think a modern NFL offense needs 5 for depth)....if we let him go, are we keeping...3? I feel like you are suddenly one mid game injury away from losing half of your passing playbook if that happens.
 

Jimbodandy

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The issue I have with this is....I'm already seeing projections that we may only keep 4 WR and thats WITH Gunner (I think a modern NFL offense needs 5 for depth)....if we let him go, are we keeping...3? I feel like you are suddenly one mid game injury away from losing half of your passing playbook if that happens.
Yeah that's insane. I don't see any way that they don't run 5. The question is which single one of Harry, Gunner, Wilk trio is cut/traded/IRd.
 

Eck'sSneakyCheese

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Yeah that's insane. I don't see any way that they don't run 5. The question is which single one of Harry, Gunner, Wilk trio is cut/traded/IRd.
Gotta be Wilkerson right? His hands are about as bad as Gunners and he doesn't have the return prowess that Gunner does. Unless they throw Harry on IR and keep him around for a few games.
 

j44thor

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Gunner is also pretty easy to cut and bring back I think. Don't think there is that much demand for pure punt returners. Gives NE a chance to see who else is available on the wire after final cuts as I find it hard to believe there won't be better WR's cut than Gunner/Wilkerson. I could see Gunner/Wilkerson cut, Harry to IR and then they bring in a couple vet WRs that get cut and potentially resign Gunner mid-week.
 

mwonow

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I'm with you on the IR guys. For the roster, the interior OL was underwhelming - might see a trade to provide one more quality player?

Here's my current best guess (limited by the lack of actual reps for these guys, the time between now and cutdown day, and of course, my limited understanding!)

QB (2) C.Newton, M.Jones
RB (4) J.White, S.Michel, R.Stevenson, D.Harris
WR (7) N.Agholor, J.Meyers, K.Bourne, N.Harry, M.Slater, K.Wilkerson, G.Olszewski
TE (3) J.Smith, H.Henry, D.Asiasi
C (2) D.Andrews, T.Karras
G (2) S.Mason, M.Onwenu
T (4) I.Wynn, T.Brown, J.Herron, W.Sherman
DE (2) D.Wise, H.Anderson
DT (4) L.Guy, D.Godchaux, C.Davis, C.Barmore
ILB(4) D.Hightower, J.Bentley, T.Hall, R.McMillan
OLB(6) M.Judon, J.Uche, R.Perkins, A.Jennings, C.Winovich, K.VanNoy
CB (7) S.Gilmore, J.Jackson, J.Mills, M.Bryant, J.Williams, J.Bethel, J.Jones
SS (2) K.Dugger, A.Phillips
FS (1) D.McCourty
ST (3) N.Folk, J.Bailey, J.Cardona

Total players: 53
Created with Pats Picker: http://patsfans.com/patspicker
Tough cuts: RBs Johnson and Taylor; TE LaCosse; WR Nixon; DT Cowart (I came down to him or Wino); LB Langhi; ST Bolden, King and Virgin
So...
QB: 1 for 2
RB: 3/6 (That's not good. I'm darned happy to have JJT around, though! And Johnson. Bolden, he just keeps on hanging on)
WR: 6/7 (Wilkerson...sigh. If he only had hands at the end of his wrists!)
TE: 3/3
C: 2/2 (though Karras is just listed as 'OL' on the roster)
G: 2/3 (didn't see Durant coming)
T: 3/4 (I'm pretty happy about Cajuste - never thought he'd be healthy enough to compete for a job)
DE: 2/2
DT: 4/4 (Roster lists Wino, who I had as a LB)
ILB: 2/4 (too bad about Raekwon! I'm happy that Langhi found a spot, though)
OLB: 4/6 - would a healthy Jennings have made the cut? And I didn't think King would.
CB: 5/7 - I didn't see Wade coming, or Gilmore PUPping. And I really didn't think Bryant would be cut - he seems good, and the position is kind of thin, Can either Cody Davis or Justin Bethel cover anyone?
SS & FS: 3/3 - the three guys I thought would be on the roster, are. I'm glad the roster just calls most of the DBs, "DB," though, I think the back end will be kind of fluid
ST: 2/3 - Nordin, don't make us all regret this...

Overall, 42. I'd best not quit my day job!