Final 53

[SDGuy73]

I still don't understand the Jonas Gray cut.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Breaking down the New England Patriots' initial 53-man roster position-by-position:

QUARTERBACK (2):

Tom Brady

Jimmy Garoppolo

This will be the sixth time in the last seven years (2011 the lone exception) that the team has entered with just two quarterbacks.

RUNNING BACK (4)

Brandon Bolden

James White

Dion Lewis

Travaris Cadet

The surprise cut of Jonas Gray gives this group a different look, as LeGarrette Blount will return in Week 2 after his suspension. The Patriots have one big back in Bolden (220 pounds) and three change-of-pacers.

FULLBACK (0)

TIGHT END (4)

Rob Gronkowski

Scott Chandler

Michael Williams

Michael Hoomanawanui

Without a fullback, the Patriots go four deep at a position that has fullback-type responsibilities.

WIDE RECEIVER (4)

Julian Edelman

Danny Amendola

Aaron Dobson

Chris Harper

Looks a little light until Brandon LaFell comes off the PUP list, as Brady and Dobson will look to establish some chemistry that has been elusive to this point.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE (4)

Nate Solder

Sebastian Vollmer

Marcus Cannon

Cameron Fleming

Easiest position to project from Day 1 of training camp.

GUARD (4)

Ryan Wendell

Tre' Jackson

Shaq Mason

Josh Kline

A nice mix of experience and youth, with the primary question, "Who emerges as the starter on the left side -- Wendell, Kline or Mason?"

CENTER (2)

Bryan Stork

David Andrews

Have been high on Andrews, the undrafted free agent from Georgia, since early in preseason. He earned a chance to be part of this initial mix.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE (4)

Dominique Easley

Malcom Brown

Sealver Siliga

Alan Branch

Lot of promise with the one-two combination of Easley and Brown, the team's last two first-round picks. Siliga and Branch are bigger bodies who help on the interior.

DEFENSIVE END (6):

Rob Ninkovich

Chandler Jones

Jabaal Sheard

Trey Flowers

Geneo Grissom

Rufus Johnson

As deep as it gets, and Johnson's combination of physical traits and upside warrant him being part of this initial 53-man snapshot.

OFF-THE-LINE LINEBACKER (5)

Jerod Mayo

Dont'a Hightower

Jamie Collins

Jonathan Freeny

Eric Martin

Martin flashed early in training camp, missed extended time with injury, but ultimately had staying power as one of the depth options.

CORNERBACK (4)

Malcolm Butler

Tarell Brown

Bradley Fletcher

Logan Ryan

Likely will look for two cornerbacks on the practice squad to account for low numbers.

SAFETY (6)

Devin McCourty

Patrick Chung

Jordan Richards

Duron Harmon

Nate Ebner

Tavon Wilson

A deep group with Ebner, Wilson and Richards projected to play core roles on special teams.

KICKER (1)

Stephen Gostkowski

Arguably the best in the game, his right leg looks as strong as ever.

PUNTER (1)

Ryan Allen

The Patriots thought enough of him to award him with a three-year contract extension this offseason.

SNAPPER (1)

Joe Cardona

Rookie takes over the role and has shown up as a coverage player.

SPECIALIST (1)

Matthew Slater

A perennial Pro Bowler and team leader.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Can't say I'm as excited as I was before the day started. Wayne and Gray certainley a surprise. I wonder if BB has his eye on someone? In BB we trust. Gray to Dallas?

 

[BigKen]

Don't be surprised to see Belichick grab a wide receiver and an offensive guard. They'll probably be veterans. This where Belichick excels at picking up a player for minimum salary and gets him to have one or two more outstanding years.

The WR I'm really hoping he lands is James Jones who was cut by the Giants.

 

[SDGuy73]

Don't be surprised to see Belichick grab a wide receiver and an offensive guard. They'll probably be veterans. This where Belichick excels at picking up a player for minimum salary and gets him to have one or two more outstanding years.

The WR I'm really hoping he lands is James Jones who was cut by the Giants.

James Jones had 73 rec for 666 yards and 6TDs for the Raiders last year. That is pretty good since he had a rookie throwing to him. Don't know why he was cut by the Raiders.

With the Packers needing a WR, I just don't see him coming to us. Unless, it was a bad break up between them. Jones picking the Packers over the Pats makes a lot of sense. He already knows that offense.

Having him as a Pat would be a great pick up.

 

[SDGuy73]

James Jones has arrived in Green Bay. Headed straight to Lambeau Field. When asked if a deal will get done with the Packers, he said: "That's the plan."

 

[CreepCreep2014]

Word of mouth is this roster if for Pitt, then NE can make more moves. If you think about it, it makes sense at some of the moves...