Patriot Talk: Who Will Make The 53 Man Roster, And Who Won't? (Offensive and Defensive Line)
Much like Running Backs, linemen are hard to evaluate. Most, if not all people watch the Wide Receivers make insane catches over Cornerbacks, or the Quarterback make a perfect over-the-shoulder throw, rather than a wall of big guys pushing to get to the Quarterback, getting held off by a second wall of big guys protecting the Quarterback. Even I don’t watch the linemen, nor do I know what makes a lineman stand out above the rest. However, based on reports, changes of position, and what the commentators during preseason say about a particular lineman, help me make my decision on who gets the roster spots and who doesn’t. Here are the 15 offensive linemen that are pushing for their spot on the team:
1. David Andrews, C
David Andrews is one of the few pure Centers on the offensive line on the Patriots squad, making him pretty important. He’s also one of the better linemen as well, add that to the fact that he has been with the team for 2 previous seasons, and you have a lock on the team. Andrews won’t be going anywhere.
2. Isaiah Wynn, RT/LT/LG
Isaiah Wynn was the Patriots 1st round selection this past season, and that alone gives him a free spot. But, he also has versatility, as he has the size and technique to play Guard on the left side, and the speed to play on the Left or Right Tackle position. Unfortunately, he tore his achilles tendon during the second preseason game, ending his rookie campaign extremely early. That means he will be on the Injured Reserved list, so he will not count against the roster, thus opening a chance up for the other 14 guys.
3. Shaq Mason, RG
Shaq Mason is another one of our top linemen, and should be a roster lock. Drafted in the fourth round 3 years ago, Mason has definitely emerged as our #1 RG, and it shall remain that way for years to come, as long as injuries don’t become a problem.
4. Trent Brown, LT
Heading into Camp, the giant Trent Brown was the backup Left Tackle to Isaiah Wynn. However, the 6’8, 380 pound beast hopped into the #1 role. He is impressively fast for his size, which allows him to play tackle, and during preseason games, has made several key blocks for James White. He is looking to make a big difference and fill the shoes of Nate Solder in that LT position.
5. Joe Thuney, LG/RG
Thuney, drafted in the 3rd round by the Patriots in the 2016 draft, is our #1 guy at the LG position. Because he has been with the team for a little bit, and because of his current starting role, he should make the 53 man roster. Wynn’s injury may suck for the team, but it gives Thuney that extra push to stay ahead of the others.
6. Marcus Cannon, RT
Cannon was our starting Right Tackle at the start of Camp, but because of Isaiah Wynn’s versatility and Trent Brown shining, Wynn was moved to RT taking Cannon’s spot. However, the injury to Wynn is huge for Cannon, as he now gets his starting role back, and looks to try and cement himself in this role.
7. LaAdrian Waddle, LT
Waddle is a guy that benefits from Trent Brown’s breakout, as Brown forced coaches to move Wynn to the right side. This opened up the backup role to Waddle, who is going on his 3rd season in New England. He isn’t exactly a lock, but the Wynn position change and then injury definitely helps his case.
8. Ted Karras, C/RG/LG
Karras isn’t a lock, but he has been with the team now going on 2 seasons, and has been a solid backup in that time. He is very versatile and the second Center behind David Andrews, which gives him added value.
9. James Ferentz, C
Ferentz is the 3rd Center on the depth chart and lacks the versatility that Karras has. But he is one of 2 remaining players that was on the team last season. Ferentz is an older guy out of the bunch, at 29 years of age, but only has 3 years in the NFL. It’s tough to see him on the final roster, but his experience gives him a tiny bit of value.
10. Cole Croston, LT
Like Ferentz, Croston is in the number 3 spot for his position on the depth chart, surpassed by Trent Brown and LaAdrian Waddle. Also like Ferentz, he was on the team last season giving him a little value. I doubt that he makes the, however, he is young, at 24 years old. His spot on the team is unclear.
11. Ulrick John, RT
John is in a backup role, making his roster spot clear, but not certain. He was picked up in Free Agency this offseason, so he has very little experience with the Patriots system. But again, he is the backup RT, making his value a little higher than Croston and Ferentz.
12. Matt Tobin, RG
Another Free Agent pickup for the Pats, Tobin slots into a backup Right Guard role behind Shaq Mason. Tobin has experience in the NFL, last playing with Seattle. But again, coach Belichick values guys who has experience within their system. His spot is unclear, but he should be on the team as the backup RG.
13. Jason King, RG
Not only does King not have experience with the Pats system, but he’s also the number 3 RG, behind Shaq Mason and Matt Tobin. King is four years younger and can absolutely compete for that 2nd spot, but it’s more than likely he will lose out and either be on the Practice Squad or get cut.
14. Luke Bowanko, C
This is a guy I’m more than confident saying will get cut. He is the number 4 Center, with no experience in the system, little to no versatility, and has been outshined heavily. He will not make the final cut.
15. Brian Schwenke, LG
Schwenke is the 4th string RG. No experience in the system. Isn’t young. Was a minor Free Agent pickup that the Pats were hoping would breakout. He never broke out, he was outshined by younger talent, and should not be on the final roster.
Defensive Linemen are just like O-Linemen because nobody watches them often. But they do get a lot more recognition and praise because when they make a play and sack the QB, we know about it. When the Offensive line does something great, we praise the Running Back for finding the room to run. So it was a little easier for me to put this list of 14 hopefuls on the D-Line:
1. Trey Flowers, LDE
One of, if not, our best exterior linemen coming out of the left side, Trey Flowers is a lock. .Drafted in the 4th round 3 years ago, Flowers was a diamond in the rough. Outstanding player, and he is still young.
2. Adrian Clayborn, RDE
Clayborn was a stud on the Falcons defensive line. He is fantastic on the right side of the line, and is one of the few exceptions when it comes to having very little familiarity with the system. He is a lock for sure, and should be huge for the Patriots.
3. Lawrence Guy, DT
Guy was tasked with an immense challenge. After the Pats acquired Danny Shelton, he needed to prove that he could, at the very least, compete with Shelton. He has done more than just that, surpassing him on the depth chart and emerging as our 1st string DT. Great work out of last seasons Free Agent acquisition, and 8 year vet. Another lock on the D-Line
4. Danny Shelton, DT
As stated earlier, Shelton was outshined by Lawrence Guy, but he is still a tremendous athlete. One of the few bright spots on the Browns over the last few years, Shelton gets a chance to be a part of a winning franchise, which could bring out the best in him. Can’t wait to see him in regular season action. Another lock on the D-Line here.
5. Deatrich Wise, LDE
Wise is another outstanding athlete, and fan favorite on the D-Line. Drafted in the fourth round, just like Flowers, he too was a diamond in the rough. He is yet another lock, and should be splitting reps during the season with Flowers.
6. Malcom Brown, DT
Brown, although ranked lower than Shelton, has been taking first team reps along with Lawrence Guy. But Shelton has the bigger upside that Brown doesn’t have. But he is another lock and will be rotating with Shelton and Guy throughout the year.
7. Derek Rivers, RDE
Rivers has been pretty impressive, but not nearly enough to overtake Clayborn. And he is the first guy that isn’t a for sure lock. Because there are so many guys locked in on the Patriots D-Line, along with the fact Clayborn is too good to split time with, we could be looking at a potential trade. The Patriots have a fairly weak O-Line and very thin talent at Wide Receiver. Could they move Rivers and others in order to get an O-Lineman for cheaper and make a play on Dez Bryant? Maybe, and Rivers would be great trade bait with the way he is raising his value with his great performances.
8. Vincent Valentine, DT
Valentine is a big man, at 6’3, 315 pounds, and has been taking reps with the second team at Camp. However, he has dealt with the injury bug throughout his time with the Patriots. Yet again, not a lock but most likely will not get cut.
9. Geneo Grissom, LDE
Grissom is another good Defensive End coming off the right side, but has dealt with injuries like Valentine. He is listed as the fourth string RDE, but has shined in the preseason and has a couple more years in New England than Eric Lee, the number 3 RDE. Although he is not as good as a guy like Rivers and has been behind Lee in practice, he has been here for a bit and is well liked in the organization, so I believe he is almost a lock. Depends on what happens with injuries and any potential trades before the season begins.
10. Adam Butler, DT
Listed as playing with the third team reps during practice, Adam Butler has made a name for himself. He is on the bubble but should not be counted out at all. With Valentine’s injury concerns, he can easily slide into that backup role. So it’s not crazy at all to have him on the final roster.
11. Eric Lee, LDE
Lee has leapfrogged into the 3rd RDE spot, but has gotten outshined by Geneo Grissom. However, he doesn’t have injury concerns like Grissom and also has a few years under his belt with the Pats. It’s going to be close, but they could very well keep both guys.
12. Keionta Davis, LDE
Going on his second year with New England, Davis finds himself in a difficult situation. He is the 5th string RDE on the depth chart. I like Davis, he’s got good size and athleticism, but the guys ahead of him have outshined him and have more experience. He isn’t out just yet, but he certainly has a ways to go.
13. Frank Herron, DT
Undrafted Free Agent Frank Herron is on the third team group of DT’s with Adam Butler, but he doesn’t have the experience and hasn’t shown enough to make a case. He will most likely get cut.
14. Trent Harris, RDE
Another undrafted Free Agent, Harris is the 3rd string Right Defensive End. The Patriots have so much talent at the D-Line that I don’t think Harris has what it takes, and may get cut or signed to the Practice Squad.
15. John Atkins, DT
Another undrafted Free Agent, Atkins was surpassed on the depth chart by Frank Herron, who I said most likely will not make the team. That makes it worse for Atkins, and he should be cut ahead of the final week of preseason.
** Stay Tuned for my next article with Linebackers, Cornerbacks and Safeties **
