As the New England Patriots continue to make final decisions, ahead of the 53-man roster deadline on September 3, here's a look at what the final roster might be for their Week 1 game against the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday. 

QB (2)

  • Tom Brady*
  • Jimmy Garoppolo
  • Jacoby Brissett

Note: Of course Brady will start the season on the suspended list as he serves his 4-game suspension for the mess that is Deflategate. With that being said, look for the Pats to open the 2016 campaign with just two quarterbacks on the roster; Garoppolo and Brissett. A lot of people have wondered whether the Pats will add another more veteran quarterback to the roster, for the first month, to back up Garoppolo. It doesn't seem too likely as they haven't brought in another quarterback yet, which means they don't like what's already out there. I can't imagine a much better option, who's not already available becoming available to the team.  New England normally saves themselves a roster spot by only carrying two quarterbacks on the active roster, though that method will likely change when Brady comes back in October. The Pats didn't waste a third round pick in this year's draft on Brissett just to roll the dice on him not being claimed by another team while on the practice squad.

Running Back (4) 

  • LeGarrette Blount
  • James White
  • Brandon Bolden
  • Tyler Gaffney

Note: With the news that Dion Lewis will start the season on the PUP list, after requiring a second knee surgery, Blount and White's spots have seemingly solidified before our vary eyes. Both have played well thus far in camp, with Blount filling the big back role again and White bringing the play-making ability that he showed out of the backfield last season, following Lewis' injury. As for Bolden, his role as a core special teams contributor solidifies his spot. While he isn't used in a large offensive role, because of his abilities on special teams, he does possess the ability to add backfield depth if called upon. The fourth and final spot right now come down to a battle between third-year player Tyler Gaffney and undrafted rookie D.J. Foster. Gaffney has played well throughout the first three preseason games after battling back from injuries in his first two professional seasons. Foster, who has experience out of the backfield and as a receiver, has big play potential almost every time he touches the ball. After dealing with injuries to start camp and missing the first two preseason games, Foster got into the win over Carolina late last week and showed off his quickness and agility. While Foster's big play potential is enticing, Gaffney's hard-nose running style and shiftiness out of the backfield through three games has given him the edge in many people's eyes. Of course, there's always a chance that the Pats may add a back that gets cut from another team over the next couple of days. This is one of the more open positions on the team.

Full Back (1)

  • James Develin

Note: Develin is back and ready to go, after a tough break last season when he fractured his leg in preseason play. His abilities as a blocker are among the top at the full back position and he is a favorite of head coach Bill Belichick, along with the rest of the staff.

Tight End (3)

  • Rob Gronkowski
  • Martellus Bennett
  • A.J. Derby

Note: The top of the tight end depth chart is poised to be unstoppable this season, with the combination of Gronk and Bennett. Last year, the Pats brought in Scott Chandler two work as a tough-to-beat, one-two punch with Gronkowski. That didn't work as planned, but hopes are higher for the emergence of a dominant duo wit Bennett now in the mix. As for the third and final spot, I'm giving the edge to the second-year player, Derby, over veteran Clay Harbor. The former college quarterback has looked strong in the passing game this preseason and while Harbor is the better blocker at this stage, the addition of Develin, who can add extra blocking on or off the line, takes away the need for the third tight end to be a block first guy. So, it appears Harbor will join the list of Terrance Knighton and Nate Washington, as higher profile veterans to come to the Pats this off-season and ultimately get left behind due to the emergence of younger options.

Wide Receiver (6)

  • Julian Edelman
  • Danny Amendola
  • Chris Hogan
  • Malcolm Mitchell
  • Keshawn Martin
  • Matthew Slater

Note: Edelman and Amendola are the top options at receiver for the team. Hogan, who came over as a free agent this off-season, has performed well in the preseason and has solidified his spot on the roster and on the depth chart. Rookie Malcolm Mitchell looked good in rookie camp and at the beginning of training camp, before dislocating his elbow in the preseason opener. His recent return to practice, however, bodes well for his inclusion on the roster. Keshawn Martin also battled injuries early on in camp but his time with the team last season impressed to the point that if he's healthy he should make the squad. Finally there's core special teamer Matthew Slater, who just signed a one-year extension to stick with the team. He's rarely used on offense but his abilities on four special teams units makes him a key asset to the overall team. The main name missing from this list is fourth-year wide out Aaron Dobson. The former second-round pick has been a bust over his time in New England. While he has looked good in multiple preseasons and has the physical attributes you'd look for in a receiver, he has failed to show up in a significant role during any of his first three regular seasons. With that being said, and rumors of the Pats looking to trade the wide out floating around, it appears the clock his future is not in New England.

O-Line (9)

  • David Andrews
  • Nate Solder
  • Marcus Cannon
  • Joe Thuney
  • Josh Kline
  • Shaq Mason
  • Jonathan Cooper
  • LaAdrian Waddle
  • Cameron Fleming

Note: The offensive line was probably the weakest facet of the team last season and arguably the main reason why the team was unable to advance to it's second straight Super Bowl appearance. Veteran offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is back from a brief retirement and ready to help turn this 2016 line into a strength. With veteran tackle Sebastian Vollmer being placed on the IR with a shoulder injury, and his return for any part of the 2016 campaign in doubt, the line has taken a substantial hit already. Vollmer's injury will force Marcus Cannon, who has struggled with consistency, into a starting role. Cannon has actually looked good this preseason, as has rookie third round pick Joe Thuney. The youngster has performed so well, in fact, that it appears he has played himself into a starting role to open the season. One big name missing from the group is 2014 starting center Bryan Stork, who was traded then released all in about a 48 period this past weekend. Concussion and discipline issues coupled with consistent play out of second year center David Andrews, who stepped in to the role nicely early last season, spelled the end for Stork's Patriot career. One name that could very well join this group, depending on final numbers is Ted Karras. A sixth round pick in this year's draft, Karras can play both guard and center and has received his fare share of reps so far this preseason. Worst case scenario, he'll most likely join the team's practice squad.

D-Line (9)

  • Rob Ninkovich
  • Jabaal Sheard
  • Chris Long
  • Trey Flowers
  • Malcom Brown
  • Alan Branch
  • Vincent Valentine
  • Anthony Johnson
  • Geneo Grissom

Note: The defensive line has a bit of a different look on the edge this season with veteran end Chris Long coming in to replace Chandler Jones, who was traded to Arizona this off-season. Both Sheard and Ninkovich have been slowed this preseason, due to injuries, though they both should be ready for some role come opening night. Rookie tackle Vincent Valentine's improvement as of late helped the team come to the surprising decision of letting veteran free agent Terrance Knighton go, after signing him this off-season. Another reason why Knighton is no longer with the Pats is the surprisingly strong play from second year tackle Anthony Johnson, who has made a number of stanout plays this preseason and has shown a knack for getting to the ball. While Grissom has yet to flourish on the defensive end of things, his contributions on multiple special teams units give him the nod over a couple of other players. One player who could be there in the end is Markus Kuhn. The bulky tackle has played well this preseason and already outlasted the favored Knighton. It wouldn't be a shock if he outlast a couple more guys and found his way onto the roster.

Linebacker (6)

  • Jamie Collins
  • Dont'a Hightower
  • Jonathan Freeny
  • Shea McClellin
  • Barkevious Mingo
  • Kamu Grugier-Hill

Note: Collins and Hightower are stalwarts on the inside. The only questions surrounding them are will the team be able to re-sign both this year, like they recently did with Freeny? McClellin was signed this off-season while Mingo was just acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Browns last week. Both are former first round picks, neither of which panned out for their first team. They can both play a traditional outside linebacker role and work off the edge, which lends itself to New England's versatile and multifaceted defensive look. Grugier-Hill is still raw defensively but has developed quickly into a key special teams player. I'd bet on him sneaking onto the roster as a developmental piece.

Cornerback (4)

  • Malcolm Butler
  • Logan Ryan
  • Cyrus Jones
  • Justin Coleman

Note: Butler and Ryan will be the two starters with Jones working in the slot and as the third defensive back in the rotation. The rookie second round pick will also most likely work as the team's top punt returner taking extra work off of both Edelman and Amendola. While the first three spots are set in stone, the fourth spot is somewhat of a toss up. Let's slot Coleman in for now as the incumbent. He was solid for New England last season after being added to the roster mid-season, tough he hasn't wowed much in the preseason this year. Undrafted rookies Jonathan Jones and Cre'von LeBlanc have both shown flashes of solid play this preseason with LeBlanc looking like the better of the two in coverage. Jones might have the better sot of the two at sticking, however, because of his abilities on multiple special teams units. Really, any of the three could make the roster and there's always a chance that two of the three land spots. If Jones or LeBlanc don't make the initial roster, they are both key candidates for the practice squad.

Safety (6)

  • Devin McCourty
  • Patrick Chung
  • Duron Harmon
  • Nate Ebner
  • Jordan Richards
  • Brandon King

Note: All six safeties are returning members of the team. The duo of McCourty and Chung is one of the best in the league, as both players play their respective positions with a high level of skill. Harmon is the top reserve in the unit, playing a lot in three safety packages. Ebner and King both play primarily on special teams as core members of multiple units, so their spots are relatively safe. King is a bit of a bubble player after a tough outing last week, but he will most likely be there in Arizona. Richards is entering his second season with the team. While he has a ways to go defensively, his high draft status and work ethic make him a player that needs to stick around and keep battling.

Specialists (3)

  • Stephen Gostkowski
  • Ryan Allen
  • Joe Cardona

Note: New England didn't bring in any competition for the three spots this off-season. The team did have a second long snapper on the roster early this summer, due to the fact that Cardona might have been sent out on duty by the Navy. His duty was waved, however, and the job was kept for the second year snapper.

 

 

 

 

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