Patriots Roster Projection 2.0: First Preseason Game Brings Changes

The Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, capturing a convincing victory to open their preseason schedule.

How did it impact the decisions that will be made once New England is tasked with reaching the 53-man limit? We saw at least one battle come to its conclusion, while some other roster hopefuls continued to make a case for themselves.

We liked our first crack at it, but let's make a few changes and reset the roster after watching some real football:

QUARTERBACKS (3)

In: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton III
Out: Bailey Zappe

Milton vs. Zappe was fun while it lasted, but even just one preseason matchup tells us all we need to know about that competition. Milton is a superior athlete, he found more success with less opportunities and it seemed Thursday as if he had better command of the offense as a whole.

We don't have any changes here. Milton, if anything, just reaffirmed our belief in him.

RUNNING BACKS (3)

In: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris
Out: JaMycal Hasty, Terrell Jennings

Harris still has the edge in that RB3 competition, but Jennings had some nice moments in limited opportunities against Carolina. It'll essentially come down to who can provide more on special teams, but increased opportunities should allow the undrafted rookie to show how he can bring a different dynamic to the room.

WIDE RECEIVERS (6)

In: Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton
Out: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kayshon Boutte, JaQuae Jackson, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis
IR/PUP: Kendrick Bourne

Tyquan Thornton, come on down.

The Patriots have been waiting for Thornton to pop for three seasons, and everything he's done in his third training camp leads us to believe he'll make the team. Boutte is the guy he'll be replacing from our first projection, which isn't necessarily an indictment, but just a reality of where they're both at. Thornton played limited snaps (7) before getting most of the night off against the Panthers, while Boutte (31) -- despite having a really solid night -- was someone the Patriots wanted to allow to get tape out there.

Bourne's injury return seems further off by the day, so we'll toss him into the IR/PUP category until we get some clarity.

TIGHT ENDS (3)

In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Mitchell Wilcox
Out: Jacob Warren, La'Michael Pettway, Jaheim Bell

Wilcox is playing more than Pettway and Bell, both at practice and in games. It doesn't make a ton of sense to us, but we have to play our cards right in this extremely confusing battle.

It's Wilcox for now, but Bell seems like the kind of guy who could surpass him in a relatively short span.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

In: Mike Onwenu, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Chukwuma Okorafor, Nick Leverett, Calvin Anderson, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson
Out: Atonio Mafi, Michael Jordan, Kellen Diesch, Liam Fornadel, Charles Turner III, Zuri Henry
IR/PUP: Cole Strange, Jake Andrews, Tyrone Wheatley Jr.

We have no idea who will actually start games, but the group of offensive lineman expected to make New England's roster seems fairly obvious.

DEFENSIVE LINE (7)

In: Keion White, Deatrich Wise Jr., Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Armon Watts, Mike Purcell, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Out: Sam Roberts, Trysten Hill, William Bradley-King, John Morgan, Jotham Russell, Josiah Bronson
IR/PUP: Christian Barmore

Barmore's indefinite absence really threw a wrench in the Patriots' plans along the defensive front, and it likely will take multiple bodies to fill the role he plays for them when healthy.

Purcell and Pharms are the two guys we've chosen, with the former already getting starting reps despite being relatively new to the roster. Pharms is someone who jumped off the page Thursday, serving as the most dominant player on the field at times. It's been a long road, but the 27-year-old finally looks ready to contribute.

LINEBACKERS (8)

In: Matthew Judon, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Joshua Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Sione Takitaki, Oshane Ximines, Raekwon McMillan
Out: Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris, Jontrey Hunter, Steele Chambers

Ximines was another dominant force against Caroline, but we kind of saw that coming. McMillan is an addition here, as he brings some legit experience to the inside. Takitaki will be on the team, it's just still a question as to whether he'll be ready to start the season, or will he be IR/Pup bound?

CORNERBACKS (7)

In: Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marco Wilson, Marcellas Dial Jr.
Out: Shaun Wade, Mikey Victor, Azizi Hearn

Wilson, Wade, Victor and Hearn have been duking it out for that final spot in the cornerback room, and the former really took a step this week. New England kept him in a non-contact jersey through the first few practices, but now that he's fully healthy, it looks like Wilson is the leader in the clubhouse for that job.

SAFETIES (3)

In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins
Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, Dell Pettus, A.J. Thomas
IR/PUP: Marte Mapu

Hawkins, Pettus and Thomas sneakily has been the best competition in camp. Hawkins has the experience, but Pettus shows up every day and makes some sort of eye-popping play. Thomas was brought in late, but his arrival seemed to push all three.

The Patriots might find a way to keep both Hawkins and Pettus, but for now, we keep the former due to his fit alongside Dugger and Peppers.

SPECIALISTS (4)

In: Chad Ryland (K), Bryce Baringer (P), Joe Cardona (LS), Brenden Schooler (ST)
Out: K Joey Slye, LS Tucker Addington

Slye surprisingly got more opportunities than Ryland in the preseason opener, but we aren't backing down. It's Ryland's job to lose.