It’s only June and the first game of the 2017 NFL season is months away, but what players will make the New England Patriots 53-man roster? I take a crack at it here.
The New England Patriots have a ton of players returning from their Super Bow LI championship squad, but there will be some turnover. They added some high-caliber players in Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore, and some rookies could also make an impact.
I’ve seen a couple of projections from Pats Pulpit and WEEI, and while I agree with the majority of their picks, I do have a few wrinkles of my own.
Here, I’m going to take my best shot at predicting the Patriots 53-man roster come opening night against the Kansas City Chiefs. I’ll update my predictions as the team gets through training camp and a few preseason games in August.
Quarterbacks (3)
- Tom Brady
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Jacoby Brissett
There are no surprises here. Last year, all three quarterbacks started a game. That hopefully won’t be the case in 2017 since Brady isn’t suspended. New England is in a great spot though when it comes to QB.
Jimmy Garoppolo is a starting-caliber player, and Brissett has shown that he may have the tools to become a dependable starter one day.
New England is hoping Tom Brady can have an MVP-type year and lead the Patriots to another Super Bowl trophy in February. He’s getting up there in age, but he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. The day will come when Brady can’t play to the level we expect, but that isn’t coming in 2017.
Watch out NFL because Brady and the boys are returning, and they’ve brought a few new faces along for the ride.
Running backs (5)
- Mike Gillislee
- Rex Burkhead
- James White
- Dion Lewis
- Brandon Bolden
Usually, the Patriots would carry just four running backs, but I think the hold onto five this time. Mike Gillislee, Rex Burkhead, and James White are all locks to make the team. Dion Lewis will probably make it, but you never know with the Patriots.
Gillislee will likely fill the LeGarrette Blount roll, coming in for short yardage and goal line scenarios. he has the power to run through defenders like Blount used to in New England.
Burkhead and White should split the majority of the carries. White was surprised by his contract extension, but he will be the guy to carry the load in the long term.
Dion Lewis will probably make the cut, but you never know with the Patriots. I believe he’ll make his mark as a kick and punt returner, and we all know how much Bill Belichick loves versatile special teams players.
The love for special teams is why I think Brandon Bolden makes the squad too. He won’t see much time as a running back, but he can certainly become a solid kickoff coverage player.
Fullbacks (1)
- James Develin
James Develin isn’t going anywhere. Fullbacks are hard to find nowadays, and New England has a great one. Develin may not see much action in the backfield, but he makes the most of every opportunity he gets out there.
Develin also makes his mark on special teams. He’s a true Patriot.
Wide Receivers (5)
- Julian Edelman
- Brandin Cooks
- Chris Hogan
- Malcolm Mitchell
- Danny Amendola
I don’t think we will see any surprises at the wide receiver spot. Early in the offseason, I thought that Danny Amendola could be a surprise cut for Austin Carr, but I’m flipping the switch there. Danny Amendola has come up clutch in the playoffs in the past, and he hasn’t done anything to lose the job. I do think Malcolm Mitchell though will take some snaps away from Danny, and he could be in for a breakout year.
Brandin Cooks is the new kid on the block, but he’ll surely become a favorite target for Tom Brady. TB12 is known for spreading the ball around, but expect that to be taken to another level in 2017. He simply has so many weapons to play with this year.
Tight Ends (3)
- Rob Gronkowski
- Dwayne Allen
- Jacob Hollister
Gronk is a lock. Dwayne Allen is a lock at 2. Jacob Hollister is the surprise here. The undrafted free agent will beat out Michael Williams, Rob Housler, Matt Lengel, and James O’Shaughnnesy. Hollister seems to have a higher ceiling than Housler and Lengel, and Williams is coming off of an ACL injury. James O’Shaughnnesy is a strong candidate for the final tight end spot, but Hollister’s youth gives him the edge.
Dwayne Allen is a solid number 2 behind Gronk, and even if Rob stays healthy I expect Allen to see a good amount of playing time. This is a strong tight end group that will help Brady in all types of situations.
Offensive Tackles (4)
- Nate Solder
- Marcus Cannon
- Antonio Garcia
- Cameron Fleming
The Patriots will likely add Antonio Garcia to this group to replace the retired Sebastian Vollmer. New England also drafted Conor McDermott in the draft, but he may end up as a practice squad player, which will allow him to develop his game a bit more.
Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon will be your left and right tackles respectively, while Cameron Fleming allows for some flexibility on the line. Fleming can play inside or out, which is crucial since I believe the Patriots will carry just three interior linemen.
Offensive Interior Lineman (3)
- Joe Thuney
- David Andrews
- Shaq Mason
Ideally, New England would carry four interior linemen, but Cameron Fleming’s flexibility allows the team to carry another special teams player (Brandon Bolden).
Joe Thuney, David Andrews, and Shaq Mason will all be starters, and each will hopefully take steps forward. With the help of legendary coach Dante Scarnecchia, New England could have one of the best offensive lines in 2017. I understand that’s a bold statement, but I truly believe it. Defenses will be on the edge dealing with the Patriots’ skill players, so the line should be the ones attacking the defense.
At times last season, the line was a clear weak link for the offense. If they can improve even just slightly, this offense is going to be unstoppable.
Offense Total: 24
Defensive Tackles (4)
- Alan Branch
- Malcolm Brown
- Lawrence Guy
- Vincent Valentine
Alan Branch is the big man in the middle that sometimes goes unappreciated. He’s a solid run stopper who has clogged up holes ever since Vince Wilfork left for Houston. Interior linemen don’t get much attention, but he surely deserves it.
Malcolm Brown and Vincent Valentine will aim to continue their improvement in the NFL behind Branch, while Lawrence Guy has the versatility to also play on the edge. Once again, the middle of the line should be no problem for the New England Patriots.
Edge Defenders (5)
- Trey Flowers
- Rob Ninkovich
- Kony Ealy
- Derek Rivers
- Deatrich Wise Jr.
Trey Flowers had a breakout year in 2016, and he will look to be even better this season. He had 7 sacks last year, and then another 2.5 in the Super Bowl. Flowers will be joined by Rob Ninkovich as the edge starters, but there’s a solid group behind them.
Kony Ealy was brought in from Carolina, while New England added Derek Rivers and Deatrich Wise Jr. in the NFL Draft. Ealy has yet to reach his NFL potential, but his former coaches think the change of scenery in New England could help him play to his abilities.
Derek Rivers was an unheralded pass rusher at Youngstown State and he may have some issues adjusting to the speed of the NFL game, but he certainly has a high ceiling.
Linebackers (5)
- Dont’a Hightower
- Kyle Van Noy
- Elandon Roberts
- Shea McClellin
- Harvey Langi
In my opinion, there are three locks at linebacker in Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, and Elandon Roberts. Beyond that, it’s a guessing game.
Shea McClellin’s work on special teams should earn him a spot here, and I think Harvey Langi will be the surprise. Langi signed a rich contract for an undrafted free agent, so the Patriots clearly think that he has what it takes to make it as an NFL linebacker. The former BYU Cougar should find himself playing in Foxboro on Sunday’s.
Cornerbacks (6)
- Stephon Gilmore
- Malcolm Butler
- Eric Rowe
- Cyrus Jones
- Jonathan Jones
- Justin Coleman
Yep, the New England Patriots are going to carry six corners. Stephon Gilmore and Malcolm Butler are a solid duo to have on top, while the remaining four players can make an impact on defense and special teams.
Eric Rowe will likely win the number 3 spot here, but it will be a battle with the Jones’. Justin Coleman could end up getting cut, but he has been phenomenal on special teams. Bill Belichick will find a way to get Coleman on the roster.
Safeties (4)
- Devin McCourty
- Patrick Chung
- Duron Harmon
- Nate Ebner
Carrying six corners means New England can only carry four safeties. Jordan Richards is the odd man out.
Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung will be backed up bu special teams aces Duron Harmon and Nate Ebner. The depth is not extremely strong at the safety position, but McCourty and Chung have shown that the can remain healthy. New England will also be able to bring in a free agent or make a trade during the season if there are any injuries.
Defense Total: 24
Special Teams: 5
- Stephen Gostkowski
- Ryan Allen
- Joe Cardona
- Matthew Slater
- Brandon King
The Patriots will have the same kicker, the same punter, the same long snapper, and the same two special teams aces.
Stephen Gostkowski had a rough season, but as of now, there’s no competition in camp. Hopefully, he’ll bounce back in 2017.
Ryan Allen and Joe Cardona have both been solid at their position. Neither has any reason to miss the cut this offseason.
Slater is a Pro Bowl player on special teams, and Brandon King has the potential to develop into one.
Next: The 10 greatest defenders in Patriots history
So, how do you think I did with this projection of the New England Patriots 53-man roster? I’ll take another crack at it after a few preseason games when we should all have a better understanding of what each player can do.
New England has the chance to win another Super Bowl in 2017 I believe these 53 men would be able to get us there.