A look at the biggest winners and losers of the initial New England Patriots 53-man roster heading into Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season.
As we all know, each NFL team had to cut down from 90 players down to a regulated 53 man roster by 4 p.m., August 31. The New England Patriots, as well as almost every other team released some surprise players.
With those cuts, we look down the Patriots initial 53-man roster and identify the biggest winners and losers of the turn of events we saw happen.
Losers:
Jakobi Meyers, wide receiver: After a very promising training camp and pre-season, the un-drafted free agent will stick around and round off the bottom of the Patriots wide receiver depth chart. You might be wondering how Jakobi Meyers is losing here, but the standout will likely not be as big apart the offense as he seemed in pre-season.
If the New England Patriots had cut him, it is almost certain another team would have given him a bigger role in their offense. But for now, Meyers stands behind Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, N’Keal Harry, and Phillip Dorsett.
More Losers
New England Patriots TE’s: The New England Patriots depth of other positions left them carrying only two TE’s on Saturday’s breakdown. Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo were the pair of choice. But as we know, veteran Ben Watson should make his return Week 5 after serving his suspension. And all signs point that one of the two will be released for Watson. Whoever is cut then, shouldn’t be a free agent for long.
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But I don’t believe there are many situations better than being a consistent contributor in a Tom Brady– led offense. A trade or signing at some point throughout the season is also a factor here, which would force one of these guys out as well
Calvin Munson, linebacker: Munson showed great ability and motor when given opportunity. The second year man was cut by the New England Patriots, and even more shockingly was signed to their practice squad just a day later. If you found yourself watching late into meaningless Patriots pre-season games, you heard this guy’s name being called almost every play.
Decent in coverage, and even better on the rush, many could have made a case that this guy could be a reliable reserve player with a role on special teams as well. Munson went un-claimed, and will now have to keep fighting for a spot on a NFL team.
Winners:
Gunner Olszewski, wide receiver: Yes, the obvious comes first here. Gunner was the undoubted biggest winner of all the New England Patriots roster moves.
Reports broke that he was originally cut by the team, but after a flurry of moves it seems like the Patriots opted for him over veteran receiver Demaryius Thomas.
The D2 cornerback earns his way onto the team, and slates into being the Patriots return man on punts and kicks. And is there really a better organization for this guy to grow in? Bill Belichick might have just found his next great undercover find.
Demaryius Thomas, wide receiver: You might be wondering how being cut is a win for Thomas, but if you take a deeper thought to it, he is in a great position.
Thomas showed no rust in his first action back after a torn Achilles. A cool seven reception, 87 yard game with two TD’s to go along showed the league that Thomas still has fuel in the tank. To go along with reports that he could be re-signing back with the Patriots in the coming days, it’s surely predictable that another WR- needy could take a flier on him.
Expect Demaryius Thomas to be a top of the depth chart guy for an NFL team sooner rather than later.
Tom Brady, quarterback: TB stays winning. After another year of aging, and another ring for the safe, the New England Patriots made a focal point of upgrading Brady’s surrounding playmakers.
With a receiving corps that did not receive much love last season, Bill Belichick went out and drafted N’Keal Harry in the first round, found two reliable backend guys in Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski, and ran a tight end free-for-all to make the most out of the post-Gronk era.
Along with a very solid offensive line, Tom Brady also has a handful of running backs he can count on. This is the deepest offense Brady has seen in years, and should only benefit from that.