Patriot Talk:Who Will Make The 53 Man Roster and Who Won't (Linebackers, Defensive Backs and Final Assessment)
Finally! We’ve reached the Defensive Backs and Linebackers! I love evaluating the Corners and Safeties, and the Linebackers are such incredible athletes. I will also quickly go over Special Teams, like Kickers, Punters, Long Snappers, and Returners. At the very end, I will wrap it all up with my 53 man roster. But first, let’s go over the big men at the Linebacker position.
1. Dont’a Hightower, LOLB
Hightower has been on the squad since being drafted in 2012, in the first round. He has established himself as a player well deserving of being a first rounder, and has been our number 1 guy over the last 2 or 3 years. That being said, he is absolutely a lock.
2. Kyle Van Noy, ROLB
Van Noy has not only emerged as a starter in a fairly weak LB core, but he has shined at times as well. He has outworked everybody else that he has to compete with, and looks like a good starter too. He is a lock, and he could be in for a big year.
3. Elandon Roberts, MLB
Being a Middle Linebacker is an important role, and they are used in all sorts of different scenarios. Roberts, who has been with the team going on 3 years now, is vital. But he is not a good #1 MLB. I’m sorry, but for the most important Linebacker category, you need a whole lot more. Roberts is a lock due to experience and because of his role right now. But I wouldn’t be shocked (and currently hoping) that they trade for a better MLB than him. He deserves snaps, but not as the top dog.
4. Ja’Whaun Bentley, ROLB
Bentley, drafted in the 5th round this year by the Pats, wasn't, and shouldn’t have been, expected to play a big role. But he has really shined in Camp, as well as in Preseason. He excelled in the second preseason game, making clutch stops in the endzone, whether he was in coverage or simply rushing the Quarterback. He looks like he could be special, but he is in a backup role behind Kyle Van Noy on the right side, so he isn’t a lock for the main roster. However, he should, at the very least, be on the Practice Squad.
5. Marquis Flowers, ROLB
The third and final Right-side LB was fully anticipated to slot in as the backup for Van Noy, with the occasional rotation in and out. But Bentley has outperformed him. For a veteran guy, who was with the team last season and in the league for a total of 5 years, to be outworked by a rookie 5th round pick, is very concerning. His spot on the team could very well be in jeopardy. However, this year the LB crop is very thin, and he should make the 53 man squad as a reserve. But don’t be shocked if he does get cut.
6. Brandon King, LOLB
Although he is listed as the 3rd string LB coming off the Left side, King has been here for a while, and his experience is big. Going on his fourth season with the team, he has been outshined by Nicholas Grigsby, but his experience still remains valuable. I don’t know if he will make the final roster, but I believe he has a bit more value than the rest.
7. Nicholas Grigsby, LOLB
The current backup LOLB behind Hightower has proven better than once thought. However he was here just last season and nothing more, and he doesn’t have the valued experience like King whom I mentioned above. But he has been showing his worth, and that may be enough. He is definitely in consideration.
8. Harvey Langi, MLB
Going on his second year in the league, all with New England, he still hasn’t proven much. But he is still listed as our backup MLB, which I explained earlier was probably the most important LB spot. Because of how weak the Patriots are at MLB, he could make the team. But again, a trade could very well erase his spot.
9. Christian Sam, MLB
The Pats Middle LBs are just so extraordinarily weak, and when Camp started, followed by Preseason, I was really pushing for Sam to emerge. But that emergence has yet to arrive. Drafted in the 6th round this season, I was hoping that Sam could be just like his rookie LB counterpart Ja’Whaun Bentley, but he hasn’t. I think he will be on the Practice Squad, but it’s really up in the air.
Now moving onto the Cornerback position. The Patriots currently have 10 Corners looking to prove themselves. Some are already established, some have disappointed, and others have shined. Here they are:
1. Stephon Gilmore
With the departure of Butler this offseason, we need Gilmore now more than ever. He was solid for us last season, although starting shaky and getting a bit too many penalties. The question isn’t “Will Gilmore make the team?”, it’s more so, “Will Gilmore handle the starting role and mounting expectations?” He is a lock, for sure.
2. Eric Rowe
Again, the departure of Butler was beneficial for a Corner on the Pats roster. Rowe has outshined other veterans, and looked good in one on one battles. He may not be a lock necessarily, but he should make the team.
3. Jason McCourty
One half of the McCourty twins, Jason has been underwhelming and inconsistent. He was burned on multiple occasions at Camp by Edelman, Hogan, and at times, Lucien and Dorsett. He slowly picked up his game, making a few plays at Camp, but still got burned on occasion. That, to me, shows that he is streaky, making him a bit of a risk. I don’t feel confident in J-Mac, as he is called in New England, but his NFL experience could save him here.
4. Jonathan Jones
Jones has been with the team for his entire 3 years in the league. If he wasn’t good enough, he would’ve been gone a long time ago. Additionally, J-Mac has struggled, and Butler left the team, so that all but enlarges his role with the team. He isn’t necessarily a lock, but hey, his spot looks pretty good right now, especially considering the streakiness of McCourty.
5. Cyrus Jones
Butler leaving, J-Mac struggling, his 3 year experience level with the team, and his ability to be a great special teams player, all helps his case. Jones is one of our best Special Team players, and he could rotate in and out with Jason McCourty or even Jonathan Jones. Not to mention, he looked pretty good in one on ones at Camp, at times sticking with Julian Edelman. I think Cyrus Jones is a lock.
6. Keion Crossen
The next few guys are battling to not get cut, never mind make the main roster. Crossen looks like he is leading the bunch right now, as he’s been getting a considerable amount of reps with starters in the Preseason, but he has struggled. He took too many bad penalties and made some not so good decisions in coverage. But he is leading the bunch, which counts for something.
7. JC Jackson
An undrafted free agent, Jackson wasn’t expected to do much of anything. But he has surprised and is making a very serious push for a roster spot. He looked very good in one on ones, and during Preseason. I like Jackson, and he is right at the heels of Crossen.
8. Ryan Lewis
We all know how Belichick is. He hates showboating, talking to the media, and showing emotion. Well, Ryan Lewis may have gotten on Belichick’s bad side, which is never good news for someone who is very close to losing a spot on the team. He was the reason Geneo Grissom doesn’t have a Fumble recovery for a TD this season, because he wanted to be seen on the Jumbotron running behind Grissom, with his arm raised in celebration. He could’ve simply stepped in the defensemans path to allow Grissom to get in. Instead, the guy blew past him and took away what could have been a Defensive TD for New England. I know this has nothing to do with skill level, but Belichick wants a guy who makes a football play rather than get in on his 5 seconds of fame. That jumbotron moment literally costs him his job.
9. Jomal Wiltz
Wiltz is an undersized Corner, and he lacks speed that is vital in sticking with the Receiver. Too many times have I seen Wiltz get beat by a WR running a straight route down the sideline simply with speed. He shows determination but unfortunately lacks the skill he needs to make it as an NFL Pro. I don’t think he will make the team or the Practice Squad, as Crossen and Jackson have both pulled so far ahead of the remaining hopefuls.
10. AJ Moore
Moore is just like Wiltz, where he will do anything in his power to make the roster but is simply not as talented as the guys they’re competing with. He got beat too often in Camp by Receivers like Riley McCarron and Braxton Berrios. It’s a shame, but it’s the NFL.
Safeties are a vital part of every defense. The Patriots have a few really good safeties as well, which is always really important. They have 8 guys competing for a spot, and only about half will make it. Here they are:
1. Devin McCourty, SS
Devin brings up the other half of the McCourty twins. He is a top Safety in the league and has been with the Pats for 8 seasons, and about to start his 9th. He is a lock 100%, no questions asked.
2. Patrick Chung, FS
Chung has also established himself as a top safety, and our number 1 Free Safety. That being said, he is a lock on the roster. He could be in for a very good season.
3. Duron Harmon, FS
Harmon has been with the Pats for 6 years now, and has been really good for them. Drafted in the 3rd round in 2013, Harmon has done a great job sharing reps with Chung, and should do more of the same this season. With his experience and success, along with his ability to thrive splitting time with another top Free Safety, he is another lock in the secondary.
4. Nate Ebner, SS
Although not a great Safety, Ebner plays a big role on Special Teams. He is a well respected player in the locker room, and is well known for playing Rugby along with football. He is a lock, but because of how well liked he is in the organization and his Special Teams role, and not because of his skill at the Safety position.
5. Eddie Pleasant, SS
Although he is the #3 Strong Safety on the team, Pleasant should be getting backup reps throughout the season behind McCourty. The reason behind this is the fact that he has been very impressive in camp as well as preseason. Not just that, he is the higher skilled Safety than Ebner, but just doesn’t have that Special Teams role, which is why Ebner is more valued. Pleasant isn’t a lock, but he is a veteran, having played 6 seasons before joining New England, and should have a spot on the team.
6. Jordan Richards, FS
Richards is the 3rd string Free Safety behind Harmon and Chung. But because those guys are splitting, he should get a decent amount of reps in between. He has also been with the team since ‘15, giving him now 4 years of experience, which adds a lot to his value. Although his role is limited, I see him on the roster, but he isn’t a lock.
7. Duke Dawson, SS
Drafted in the 2nd round this season, Dawson is a lock. He might not be on the final 53 man roster, but he most certainly will be on the Practice Squad. He has too much value right now, being a second rounder, for Belichick to cut. Not to mention, he’s the guy they picked with the 49ers pick, which they acquired in the Garoppolo trade. They’d be stupid to not keep him within the organization. But he has been dealing with an injury he got during Camp, and hasn’t participated in Preseason yet. But he should be here next season, as long as no one steals him from our Practice Squad, which is never guaranteed.
8. Demetrius Travis, FS
Travis was on the Pats Practice Squad last season, and is eligible again for this season. There’s one problem though, Duke Dawson has more value, and in his time at camp, has performed better than Travis. Travis could make the Practice Squad one more time, but it is very competitive this season, and there’s only 10 spots. It’s going to be tough for Travis.
Now, before we wrap things up, here is what our Special Teams have looked like during Camp and Preseason. Our Kicker, Stephen Gostkowski, is a lock, with no competition. There were two Punters this year, but Ryan Allen has pulled ahead of Corey Bojorquez, the rookie. However, Allen is on his final contract year, so Bojorquez might just be Practice Squad, but Allen is a lock. Joe Cardona will be a lock, as he checks in as our Long Snapper. Our Punt Returners are as follows:
1. Julian Edelman
2. Patrick Chung
3. Riley McCarron
4. Braxton Berrios
5. Cyrus Jones
All these guys, whether they’re locks or not, have added value due to the ability to Return Punts. Here are our Kick Returners now:
1. Cordarrelle Patterson
2. Matthew Slater
3. Cyrus Jones
Yet again these guys have added much more value. Now to update previous articles, Kenny Britt was cut, and Eric Decker retired. Neither of these guys were locks, although I definitely leaned towards Deckers departure. Lets just say I told you so.
Here’s what my 53 man roster looks like for New England, as of August 28th, 2018
Quarterbacks-Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer (Danny Etling 1/10 Practice Squad)
Running Backs-James White, Rex Burkhead, Sony Michel, Brandon Bolden (Cut Jeremy Hill, Mike Gillislee, Ralph Webb)
Wide Receivers-Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Cordarrelle Patterson, Matthew Slater, Devin Lucien, Phillip Dorsett (Cut Paul Turner) (Riley McCarron, Braxton Berrios 3/10 Practice Squad)
Tight Ends-Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen, Jacob Hollister (Cut Will Tye, Ryan Izzo)
Offensive Linemen-David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Trent Brown, Joe Thuney, Marcus Cannon, LaAdrian Waddle, Ted Karras, Matt Tobin (Isaiah Wynn, IR) (Cut Ulrick John, James Ferentz, Jason King, Brian Schwenke, Cole Croston, Luke Bowanko)
Defensive Linemen-Trey Flowers, Adrian Clayborn, Lawrence Guy, Danny Shelton, Deatrich Wise Jr, Malcom Brown, Geneo Grissom, Derek Rivers, Adam Butler, Vincent Valentine (Eric Lee, Keionta Davis 5/10 Practice Squad) (Cut John Atkins, Frank Herron, Trent Harris)
Linebackers-Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Nicholas Grigsby, Brandon King (Harvey Langi, Christian Sam 7/10 Practice Squad) (Cut Marquis Flowers)
Cornerbacks-Stephon Gilmore, Eric Rowe, Cyrus Jones, Jason McCourty, Jonathan Jones (Keion Crossen, JC Jackson 9/10 Practice Squad) (Cut AJ Moore, Jomal Wiltz, Ryan Lewis)
Safeties-Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon, Devin McCourty, Nate Ebner, Eddie Pleasant, Jordan Richards (Duke Dawson 10/10 Practice Squad) (Cut Demetrius Travis)
Long Snapper-Joe Cardona
Kicker-Stephen Gostkowski
Punter-Ryan Allen (Cut Corey Bojorquez)
