With Patriots opening training camp this week, here's an early 53-man roster prediction
The New England Patriots will kick-off training camp on Wednesday morning, which means first-year coach Jerod Mayo is about to begin the grueling task of cutting the roster down to 53 players.
Over the next few weeks, players will battle it out to earn spots on the roster. The Patriots defense was a top-10 unit last season, and they will be returning many of the same players in 2024. Most of the question marks for New England are on the offensive side of the ball.
Will they carry an extra receiver to make up for their lackluster skilled positions? What will the final offensive line combination look like? How good is rookie No. 3 draft pick Drake Maye?
Here's a bold prediction — selecting the entire 53-man roster at the end of training camp:
QB Jacoby Brissett
Brissett is the Patriots’ bridge option at quarterback, but he’s also a legitimate starter who gives the team a better chance to win than they had with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe last season. There’s a good chance he’s the starter in Week 1.
QB Drake Maye
Maye is the future in New England, even if he doesn’t land the starting job at quarterback right away. The team gave up a lot to get him in the 2024 NFL draft because they truly believe he’s capable of helping them turn the franchise around.
QB Joe Milton III
Bailey Zappe gets edged out by rookie Milton in these 53-man roster projections. Make no mistake, Milton has plenty of work to do in preparing to play quarterback at the next level, but his potential is too high to pass up for another year of Zappe under center.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
Stevenson will be looking for a bounce-back season after an injury-plagued year led to his disappointing 2023 campaign. He’s a powerful force on the ground, and he’s been improving his receiving abilities. Will this be the year that he finally takes flight?
RB Antonio Gibson
Gibson is one of the more intriguing free-agent signings for the Patriots. He’s a versatile running back option with the ability to move the chains on the got-to-have-it downs. The former Washington Commander could serve as a reliable security blanket for whoever is under center for New England.
RB Kevin Harris
There’s always a chance the Patriots sign another veteran running back to join Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. For now, we’re going to pretend like it’s business as usual, and Harris gets a promotion this time out.
WR Ja'Lynn Polk
The Patriots failed to come away with a No. 1 receiver in free agency. So they used their second-round draft pick on Polk. It should come as no surprise that there are lofty expectations for the former University of Washington standout.
WR DeMario Douglas
Douglas shook defenders out of their shoes as a rookie. Imagine how good he could be in his second NFL season with better quarterback play and more playmakers to take some of the attention away from him.
WR Kendrick Bourne
Bourne still remains a big part of the Patriots’ plans in 2024. He led the team in receiving yards before going down with a torn ACL last season. The Patriots are hopeful he can maintain that level of production this season as well.
WR Javon Baker
Baker remains one of the more intriguing rookies on the roster. He could develop into the No. 1 receiving threat the Patriots have been searching for this whole time. One thing is certain: You won’t find many players more confident than Baker on the football field.
WR K.J. Osborn
Osborn is an experienced enough veteran to find his way on the Patriots’ roster. Snaps won’t be easy to come by with Bourne returning, along with the team drafting Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Osborn needs a strong camp to ensure he gets on the field often right out of the gates.
WR Jalen Reagor
Reagor wins out on versatility for the final receiver spot on the roster. He’s proven to be lethal as a returner, and he can be used as a gadget offensive option if offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt really wants to get the creative juices flowing.
TE Hunter Henry
Henry has been one of the more consistent playmakers on the struggling Patriots offense. That isn’t likely to change in his fourth season with the team. An argument could be made that he’ll be even better with improved quarterback play.
TE Austin Hooper
Hooper gives the Patriots another legitimate offensive threat on the field alongside Hunter Henry. It was only two years ago that he was hauling in 41 receptions for 444 yards and two touchdowns with the Tennessee Titans. So he clearly still has the ability to be a productive tight end.
TE Jaheim Bell
Bell is a rare breed of tight end with the ability to block, line up as a receiver and work in at H-back. If he lives up to his potential, the seventh-round pick out of Florida State could be looked back on as one of the steals of the 2024 NFL draft.
OT Mike Onwenu
One of the biggest offseason moves for the Patriots was re-signing Onwenu. There are still questions as to whether Onwenu will play tackle or guard this season. However, no one is questioning the fact that he’ll remain a key piece on the offensive line.
OT Chukwuma Okorafor
There’s hope that Okorafor can just morph into a viable left tackle. The team is hurting to fill the position with Trent Brown gone, and Okorafor might be the Patriots’ best option.
OT Caedan Wallace
If Chukwuma Okorafor can’t get the job done at left tackle, there’s always a chance the team moves rookie third-round pick Wallace to that spot. Wallace practiced at left tackle throughout his time at Penn State, and he’s versatile enough to have a fighting chance in the event of a positional switch.
OT Calvin Anderson
Anderson is finally healthy and ready to serve as a depth option for the Patriots’ depleted offensive tackle position. The veteran offensive lineman could see the field sooner rather than later given the inexperience at the left tackle position.
G Layden Robinson
Rookie guard Robinson could earn an opportunity right out of the gates with Cole Strange still dealing with a knee injury. He’s a powerful blocker with great athleticism to help win the battle in the trenches.
G Sidy Sow
Sow stepped up in a big way for the Patriots as a rookie last season. He was in on 82 percent of the offensive snaps in his first year with the team. That showed the strong level of trust the team has in him.
G Nick Leverett
Cole Strange potentially missing a significant chunk of the season could open the door for serious playing time for the veteran Leverett. The Patriots could look to him to help stabilize things up front until Strange returns.
C David Andrews
Andrews is still going strong at 32 years old. He’s the anchor of the offensive line with experience playing in some of the biggest games in franchise history.
C Jake Andrews
Jake Andrews will need to prove himself as a reliable backup option at some point. For now, however, the Patriots' lack the depth at center to be showing the second-year offensive lineman the door.
DT Christian Barmore
Barmore is one of the best players on the team, and he was paid like it in the offseason. At only 24 years old, he is a future star in the making along the defensive front.
DT Davon Godchaux
The contract situation has things looking murky right now with Godchaux. We’re going to assume the Patriots sweeten things with a few extra incentives, and the veteran defender returns to the trenches with Christian Barmore.
DT Daniel Ekuale
Ekuale is an underrated lineman, who has served well as a rotational piece for the Patriots. He only played in three games last season before going down with a torn biceps. His return should add an extra boost of energy along the defensive front.
DT Armon Watts
Watts has bounced around among four different teams since being drafted in 2019. However, he has appeared in 72 games and started in 22 of them. He’s another experienced player who should serve as a solid depth option.
DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Pharms started coming on strong late in the 2023 season. There’s hope that growth carries over into 2024 for the veteran defender.
DE Keion White
White could be on the verge of a breakout year in his second season with the Patriots. He has the potential to be a game-wrecker on defense once he taps into his full potential as a playmaker.
DE Deatrich Wise Jr.
Wise is entering a contract year, and so far, it has been business as usual for the standout defender. He has been a model of consistency throughout his seven-year run in New England, and it’s hard to see that changing in 2024.
LB Matthew Judon
There are serious questions regarding Judon’s contract situation. The Patriots hope to come to a resolution at some point with the four-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher.
LB Ja'Whaun Bentley
Ja’Whaun Bentley was a tackling machine who led the Patriots with 114 tackles last season. He’ll look to continue his dominant ways at linebacker in 2024.
LB Jahlani Tavai
Tavai had a sensational 2023 season, but it was overshadowed by the fact that the Patriots stunk as a football team. He was a Pro Bowl-caliber player who clearly deserved better last year.
LB Anfernee Jennings
Jennings was finally healthy and dominant last season. He stepped in admirably to replace Matthew Judon and held up on his end as an every-down defensive player.
LB Joshua Uche
Uche will be looking to pin his ears back and rack up sacks on opposing quarterbacks. That alone could lead to a massive pay day for the former Michigan standout in 2025 free agency.
LB Sione Takitaki
Takitaki is a solid veteran addition who can compete on both defense and special teams. He should serve as a solid replacement for Mack Wilson, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency.
LB Raekwon McMillan
McMillan is another jack-of-all-trades kind of player. He can fill in on defense, while also helping out on special teams. The Patriots loved keeping those kinds of players under Bill Belichick, and that doesn’t appear to be changing under Jerod Mayo.
CB Christian Gonzalez
Gonzalez looked like one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL after only playing in four games last season. He’ll be looking to pick back up where he left off in his second season in Foxboro.
CB Jonathan Jones
Jones will be counted on to step up as one of the veteran leaders in a young defensive backfield. The two-time Super Bowl champion is the man for whatever job the Patriots need him to do.
CB Marcus Jones
Marcus Jones scored a touchdown on offense, defense and special teams in his rookie season. He was one of the most electric players in the league with the ball in his hands. The Patriots should be able to find a bunch of different ways to use him in all phases of the game.
CB Alex Austin
Austin was a surprising defensive standout for the Patriots late last season. He even picked off Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in a game. The 2023 seventh-round draft pick is an ascending talent who could factor in at cornerback sooner than people think.
CB Shaun Wade
The Patriots are already lacking in depth and experience at cornerback. So it would make sense if they kept Wade on the roster heading into the season.
CB Marcellas Dial
Dial will have to fight for snaps in a cornerbacks room with plenty of young talent looking to prove themselves. There’s a chance he could provide special-teams value right out of the gates.
CB Isaiah Bolden
Bolden is an electric returner, and he’ll be looking to have his coming-out party in 2024 after a preseason injury ruined his rookie season.
S Kyle Dugger
Dugger is one of the top-10 best safeties in the NFL, and the Patriots made sure to extend him to a new deal in the offseason. His presence solidifies the defensive backfield as one of the best in the league.
S Jabrill Peppers
Peppers was the best player on the field for the Patriots at certain points last season. He’ll be even more motivated this time around considering he’ll be playing on an expiring contract.
S Marte Mapu
Mapu is hoping to make a bigger impact in his second season. The Patriots will have to find creative ways to get him involved with Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers serving as the top-two safeties.
S Brenden Schooler
With Matthew Slater riding off into the sunset of retirement, all eyes will be on Schooler to step up as a leader on special teams. He has flashed elite talent in the two years he’s been in New England. This season will be a test of his ability to do so more consistently.
S Jaylinn Hawkins
The Patriots added Hawkins to solidify the veteran depth at secondary. Hawkins has 25 starts under his belt, and he should make for a strong rotational piece at safety.
K Joey Slye
Chad Ryland’s shaky field goal kicking had Patriots fans holding their breath for chip shots. Slye has had his kicking accuracy issues as well, but he’s experienced and talented enough to knock Ryland off for the starting job in 2024.
P Bryce Baringer
Baringer is working his way toward being one of the best punters in the league. His strong rookie season bodes well for his future in New England.
LS Joe Cardona
Cardona is still going strong at 32 years old. The two-time Super Bowl champion is the best man for the long-snapping job in New England.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: With Patriots opening training camp, here's a 53-man roster prediction
