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Patriots Roster Preview Following Final Cuts

By Darian Hutchins

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) with wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) with wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New England Patriots announced the release of 20 players on Saturday to reduce the roster to the mandated 53-man limit.

The New England Patriots released 10 veteran players, five first-year players and five rookies, including two 2016 Draft picks.

The 10 veteran players released by the Patriots: OL Chris Barker, WR Aaron Dobson, RB Tyler Gaffney, DL Geneo Grissom, LB Rufus Johnson, DL Markus Kuhn, WR Keshawn Martin, DB Darryl Roberts, DB Vinnie Sunseri and DL Joe Vellano. Barker, Grissom and Johnson are possible candidates practice squad players for the Patriots. Tyler Gaffney went unclaimed and was placed on injured reserve. Darryl Roberts was claimed off of waivers by the New York Jets.

Five first-year players: WR DeAndre Carter, OL Jon Halapio, WR Chris Harper, RB Joey Iosefa and LB Kevin Snyder. Jon Halapio is a practice squad hopeful for the Patriots. Kevin Snyder cleared through waivers and joins Gaffney on injured reserve. Chris Harper is headed for the 49ers practice squad.

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Five rookies, including two 2016 Draft picks: DL Woodrow Hamilton, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, CB Cre’von LeBlanc, WR Devin Lucien and TE Bryce Williams. Hamilton will hit the practice squad, while Grugier-Hill will join the Philadelphia Eagles and Cre’Von LeBlanc will be a Chicago Bear. Devin Lucien is a likely practice squad player, as is Bryce Williams.

The Patriots also signed ex-Titans running back and former second-round pick Bishop Sankey to the practice squad on Sunday.

The Patriots will enter week one of the regular season with only five wide receivers. Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan will likely be the starters for the Patriots at wideout. Danny Amendola will not be on the PUP list, and Malcolm Mitchell is close to returning from a dislocated elbow injury.

Although the Patriots are only carrying five wide receivers on the roster, there are a plethora of other offensive weapons for the Patriots to utilize.

Dion Lewis is on the reserve/PUP list and will be eligible to return in week seven, although the week nine bye may be a more realistic time frame. LeGarrette Blount and James White will hold down the fort for the Patriots run game, and rookie DJ Foster could carve out a role of his own during the year.

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There might be more talent at the tight end position for the Patriots than any other team in the NFL. Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett will allow the Patriots to run several two tight end sets, presenting a nightmare to opposing defenses on a weekly basis. Clay Harbor and AJ Derby provide much needed depth behind Gronkowski and Bennett.

Chris Long has already shown the ability to fill in for Rob Ninkovich on the defensive line. Ninkovich will be serving a four-game suspension at the beginning of the season. Trey Flowers has also developed into an intriguing player who will be worth watching.

The Patriots secondary is still one of the league best. Second-round rookie cornerback Cyrus Jones will look to build on a strong camp. Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan will both be playing for second contracts, so there will be a lot on the line all year.

The 2016-17 New England Patriots roster is set and the team is now focused on preparing for the Cardinals. There aren’t a lot of holes on the roster and the Patriots should expect another year of being a contender.

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