Patriots 53-man roster projection: Where do things stand after the first week of camp?

New York Times

a day ago

After four days of practice at the New England Patriots' training camp, it's about time for pads to come on. This week, we'll learn a lot more about the offensive line, which has shown some reasons for concern, even if it's tough to judge the group sans pads.
Still, there has been enough to glean from the first few sun-soaked practices to offer up our first roster projection of the summer. There were some particularly tough decisions at running back (do you keep a fullback?), wide receiver (who has justified a spot so far?) and linebacker (has Marte Mapu done enough?).
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Let's dive in.
In: Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
Out: Ben Wooldridge
No surprises here. It would be a surprise if they kept Wooldridge on the 53-man roster. He's just competing for a spot on the practice squad at this point.
So far, it seems like there's been a governor placed on Maye as the new staff prioritizes having him take what the defense gives, even if that's (often) short passes to running backs and tight ends. The question will be when (or if) that changes. The fear is that the O-line is so shaky that the offense has to be based on short passes.
In: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson, Lan Larison
Out: Brock Lampe, Trayveon Williams, Terrell Jennings
A lot of the Patriots' offense so far looks like what you'd expect from a Josh McDaniels-led unit. Maye has been under center a lot. Two tight ends have been used frequently, even with Austin Hooper out.
I wanted to put Lampe on the roster as a fullback to bulk up those big formations. But there are too many tough decisions, so Lampe narrowly missed out.
In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, CJ Dippre
Out: Jaheim Bell, Jack Westover, Gee Scott Jr.
There has been a lot of work to go around at tight end with Hooper out. In those sessions, Westover has probably fared the best. But this is a bet that Dippre, an undrafted rookie, can develop.
This could also be a position where the Pats look to add someone in free agency after cutdown day when they see who becomes available.
In: Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte
Out: Kendrick Bourne, Efton Chism, Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, DeMeer Blankumsee, John Jiles, Jeremiah Webb
No surprise, but this is the toughest position to project for the Patriots. They could keep as many as seven, with two of Bourne, Chism, Polk and Baker making it. But it's hard for me to put Polk on the roster since he hasn't practiced yet. Same for Chism, who hasn't quite matched his production from the spring, and Bourne, who has been just OK in a group of just-OK receivers.
Still, Bourne was probably my last player cut in this projection, and maybe I should have put him on with one fewer linebacker. At the top of the depth chart, Diggs and Douglas have both been excellent, while the Patriots could use another receiver separating from the pack.
.@DrakeMaye2 🎯 @popshotta3 pic.twitter.com/Oinh4aaXee
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 26, 2025
In: Will Campbell, Cole Strange, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Jared Wilson, Demontrey Jacobs, Caedan Wallace, Marcus Bryant, Tyrese Robinson
Out: Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, Jack Conley, Layden Robinson, Ben Brown, Yasir Durant, Mehki Butler
There were some tough decisions here, too. So far, it looks like Jacobs is the swing tackle, with Wallace getting some work inside and Lowe being injured. So that gets Jacobs on the team.
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The bigger question comes at backup guard. Wallace working there complicates things and could be a sign of what the coaching staff thinks of Sow and Robinson.
In: Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Jaquelin Roy, Harold Landry, Anfernee Jennings, K'Lavon Chaisson, Bradyn Swinson
Out: Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Elijah Ponder, Jahvaree Ritzie, Isaiah Iton, David Olajiga, Truman Jones
The interior of the defensive line looks solid with Williams and Barmore, plus Tonga getting plenty of meaningful reps. The edge rushers are the ones who could make or break this defense. White and Landry are probably the top guys, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Chaisson keeps playing well and pushes for playing time.
In: Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jahlani Tavai, Jack Gibbens, Marte Mapu
Out: Cam Riley, Monty Rice
This group might be a bit bloated, but this is an important spot for special teams contributions, so we kept five instead of another receiver (Bourne). Still, Mapu would be the one to swap out for Bourne if you want more help at receiver.
Mapu has spent most of his time at linebacker after being a hybrid safety/linebacker the last two years. He was beaten cleanly by Henderson during one rep at practice on Saturday.
As for the top group, Elliss is pushing to get the starting reps alongside Spillane.
In: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Kobee Minor
Out: Isaiah Bolden, Brandon Crossley, Marcellas Dial, DJ James, Miles Battle, Jordan Polk
Another cornerback would be nice on this roster, but it would have to come at the expense of someone on the D-line.
The battle for the fifth spot here is wide open. Bolden could nab it if he can become the team's kick or punt returner, but for now, I have Henderson as the kick returner with Jones returning punts.
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In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marcus Epps
Out: Dell Pettus, Josh Minkins
This is probably the team's best overall position for a third straight year, especially if Dugger can return to his heights of 2023. He'll be a starter next to Peppers, but Woodson, Epps and Hawkins provide plenty of high-end depth and should also contribute on special teams.
In: Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby, Brendan Schooler
Out: John Parker Romo
It would be a big surprise if Romo wins the kicking job, so this quartet seems pretty safe.
(Photo of Kendrick Bourne: Kris Craig / The Providence Journal / USA Today via Imagn Images)