New England Patriots post camp 53 man roster projection

It has long been true that some players are kept on NFL rosters solely because of their special teams value - but where does a team draw the line?

On a 53 man roster, there are already three spots taken for specialists, those being for a placekicker, a punter and a long snapper, and for the Patriots, you can add in special teams captain Matthew Slater as one of the best "Core Four" players in the league.

Those spots are a given when considering New England's roster, but with so many versatile athletes sitting on the bubble who can make a difference on the field, it just doesn't make sense to populate the roster by keeping any other players who are limited to special teams play...

...and this is not to say that special teams are not important - good special teams play is essential to victory, but almost all of the players in camp right now came up through high school and college with special teams' assignments and everyone should be able and willing to lend a hand on kick and cover units - and do it well.

So with just 10 days until all NFL teams are required to pare their rosters down to the 53 players who will comprise their regular season roster, most should have a good idea who those players will be.

The Patriots should know.  They also know which players are likely to be numbers casualties on other teams, so the afore mentioned bubble players' spots are not reserved by any means, even after the final cutdown, and could find themselves looking for work if the Patriots happen to find a plug and play defensive tackle or safety - or even a corner.

The people who write about the Patriots think they should know who is going to make the team, but with Bill Belichick calling the shots, the smart money says that we don't know squat.  Keeping that in mind...

Quarterbacks (2):

Tom Brady
Ryan Mallett

Conspicuously absent from this list is Tim Tebow, and if the Patriots still want a third quarterback, chances are very good that the magnificent athlete without a true position will be available on the market if and when Bill Belichick beckons - is there another NFL team that's going to pick him up and sacrifice a roster spot?

Doubtful, particularly the way that he's played in the preseason games.  This blog had Tebow making the roster two weeks ago, claiming intrinsic value - but that went out the window in the Tampa Bay game.

He has linebacker size, perhaps he should give that a shot, because to sacrifice what could be a decent career at another position just for the sake of being able to claim that he's a quarterback is a waste of an incredible athlete that needs to be on the field somewhere.

And, oh yeah, Tom Brady looks better than ever and Ryan Mallett actually looked like a quarterback once he warmed up in the Tampa game.  Guess we'll have to keep them on the list.

Running Backs (4):

Stevan Ridley
Shane Vereen
Brandon Bolden
LeGarrette Blount

The free agent signing of Leon Washington was meant to add another dynamic to a special teams unit that needed help in coverage, not necessarily returns.  The signing never made sense in that he wasn't likely to see the field  in any capacity other than as a kick returner.  These roster spots have value, and there are guys that deserve to make this team that won't if players like Washington and Ebner end up on the roster.

That said, they're not on this one.

Blount has been a refreshing addition to the roster and adds real value and a grinding change up to Ridley's explosive style.  Vereen is a dangerous third down back that Brady will move around to get him matched up on linebackers and safeties in the passing game.


Receivers (6):

Aaron Dobson
Josh Boyce
Danny Amendola
Matthew Slater (ST)
Julian Edelman
Kenbrell Thompkins

Matthew Slater is on this roster, pretty much solely as a special teamer.  It chews up a roster spot, but Slater is so good that he's a perpetual pro bowl selection and brings the wood every single time down the field - he's earned this roster spot with his quality play and durability.

Amendola comes as advertised, which is both good and bad if his current injury is a harbinger of things to come, while Edelman doesn't look fully healed but is giving full effort.  Rookies Thompkins, Dobson and Boyce will be the core of the receiving unit if Amendola and Edelman continue their fragile ways.

Dobson has been working nearly full games in the preseason, while Thompkins has evolved into a dependable possession guy.  The team has been trying to get the ball to Boyce in space to try and take advantage of his sub 4.4 speed but will eventually have to get him the ball downfield.


Tight Ends (4):

Rob Gronkowski
Michael Hoomanawanui
Zach Sudfeld
Jake Ballard

A mid-September target date for Gronkowski's return is tantalizing enough for the Patriots to put him on the active roster instead of starting the season on the PUP list.  The Patriots are a different offense with Rob Gronkowski on the field and leaving him off the PUP leaves him free to participate in practices in anticipation of a week 3 or 4 return.

In his stead, Ballard is the team's best inline blocking tight end and is trying to work his way back into the pattern after a devastating knee injury 18 months ago, while Hoomanawanui returns in his Hback role from last season.  Sudfeld is an undrafted free agent steal provided he stays healthy and is really a very large wide receiver.


Offensive Linemen (8):

Nate Solder
Logan Mankins
Ryan Wendell
Marcus Cannon
Sebastian Vollmer
Will Svitek
Dan Connolly
Marcus Zusevics

Marcus Cannon completes an offensive line which ranks among the best in football when he mans the right guard position, and he should be ready for the regular season.  Cannon also can swing to either tackle spot in a pinch, though Svitek has proven his versatility and was brought in solely for that purpose.

The team does have the luxury of being able to stash a couple of interior players on the practice squad if they so desire, and the tackles are well manned and backed up.


Specialists (3):

Stephen Gostkowski (K)
Zoltan Mesko (P)
Danny Aiken (LS)

Gostkowski wins the placekicking job by default, but his erratic performances have fans chewing their fingernails.  Mesko wins the punter's job after being pushed in camp by rookie upstart Ryan Allen.  Some thought Mesko would become a financial casualty, but dependability is more important than a few hundred thousand dollars.

Long snapper has long been a position that many wish has more versatility to it, but it is a specialty.  Gostkowski has often spoken on the importance of cohesion and a long snapper's ability to get the ball back to the holder with the laces just right to place the ball down and showing him the fat part of the ball, and with Mesko playing the part of holder, this trio has been together for a few years now - no sense in breaking them up.


Defensive Tackles (4):

Vince Wilfork
Tommy Kelly
Marcus Forston
Joe Vellano

All the hype surrounding Armond Armstead as a flex tackle is going to have to wait, as the team will most likely place him on the PUP list, from which he will be eligible to return to the roster after week 6. Wilfork is the best tackle in the NFL and Kelly is ripping right past the offensive linemen in pass rushing drills.  Joe Vellano has been a pleasant surprise and is a big man with athleticism in the mold of Wilfork, though he has much work to do to get to that level.

It's not outside the realm of possibility that the team brings in a veteran tackle cut from another team at the deadline, So Vellano's spot is anything but secure. The team often employs a defensive end to the interior to get penetration, so ends with that ability like Justin Francis and Marcus Benard become more valuable to the team.


Defensive Ends (6):

Chandler Jones
Rob Ninkovich
Justin Francis
Marcus Benard
Michael Buchanan
Jermaine Cunningham

Veteran Marcus Benard seems to have regained his quickness that he flashed in Cleveland and can be a difference maker on passing downs,while Buchanan rises from the status of "project" to gain a roster spot more or less by default, as he has clearly outperformed veteran Jake Bequette.

Jones looks to has also regained his form from early last season and Ninkovich is a rock on the left side.  Francis is versatile and can be used inside as an undersized tackle, as can Cunningham, provided he doesn't end up on the IR instead.

But just because the fourth year former Florida Gator makes the 53 man squad, that doesn't lock down his spot it the team targets a defensive tackle from another team on cut day.


Linebackers (6):

Jamie Collins
Jerod Mayo
Brandon Spikes
Dont'a Hightower
Dane Fletcher
Steve Beauharnais


The versatility of the defense is a direct result of the diversity of the linebacking corps.  Collins is a monstrous talent on the verge of exploding out of the gate and teamed with Fletcher and Bauharnais gives the team fast and athletic backups to the starting trio of Mayo, Spikes and Hightower.

Mayo and Hightower have been steady and Spikes is flying all over the field.  In nickle situations, either safety named Wilson drops into the box and are more like linebackers, so this is the deepest group on the defense - and could actually mean that we'll see more 3-4 base alignments to get the best athletes on the team onto the field.


Corners (5):

Aqib Talib
Ras-I Dowling
Logan Ryan
Kyle Arrington
Marquis Cole


Dennard's legal situation has to be driving Belichick crazy, his health seeming to be a matter of concern as well - and perhaps the two are intertwined, but with his court dates in October, the situation is fluid and Belichick may be forced to find a way to shelve Dennard on the IR with a designation to return, meaning that his eligibility begins just after his court appearances.

Talib is solid and has taken the leadership reigns.  If Dennard is out for any extended time, then the team must make a decision about who mans the corner opposite Talib.  Arrington is far batter in the slot than on the outside and is a force against the run so he's best left in that role, and that would leave (gulp!) Dowling and rookie Logan Ryan battling for that spot.

Dowling's name doesn't elicit much confidence, and neither does the word "rookie", but Ryan has been progressing by leaps and bounds in practice and could be in line for the job.  Marquice Cole is reliable in spot duty and late arrival Justin Green finds his way onto the practice squad.


Safeties (5):

Devin McCourty
Adrian Wilson
Duron Harmon
Steve Gregory
Tavon Wilson

Tavon Wilson makes the roster by default but he and veteran Adrian Wilson are more along the lines of linebackers, which leaves them to spot duty on the back end.  Tavon continues to take bad angles to the ball and while Adrian is technically sound, he just doesn't have the wheels to patrol the back end.

They should serve primarily as nickle safeties and do give the team versatility in that regard - but don't be surprised if the team keeps a close eye on the waiver wire for either a veteran safety of corner, or both.

McCourty can be pro bowl quality and anchors the last line of defense, while Steve Gregory makes the team as a swing safety.  Harmon has surprised many with his sense of ownership of the back end and has a quick grasp of the concept.  In a prefect world, he would start as the strong safety and allow the team coverage versatility as he has tremendous ball skills and range.


Practice Squad:

Kanorris Davis SS
Quentin Sims WR
Kamar Aiken WR
Corey Grisson DT
Chris McDonald G
Justin Green CB
Matt Stankiewitch C/G

PUP list (designated to return):

Mark Harrison WR
Armond Armstead (NFI)

Injured Reserve:

Alfonzo Dennard (return designation)