Roche: Projecting The Patriots 53-Man Roster
BOSTON (CBS) - This is a big week for NFL teams, as they'll have to trim their rosters down to 53 players by Saturday evening.
The first roster deadline comes Tuesday at 4 p.m., when roster have to be down to 75 players. The Patriots currently have 84 players on their roster, so get ready for a few moves over the next 28 hours.
Here is my projected 53-man Patriots roster as of Monday morning. Of course, things can change if the Pats go out and sign some players off the "waiver wire."
For right now I give Tim Tebow the nod, but he's my 53rd guy. I think that can change, depending on who else gets cut on Tuesday, and if the Pats need roster flexibility at any other position.
Read: More From Dan Roche
There are two interesting cases elsewhere, with Rob Gronkowski and Alfonzo Dennard. I have Gronk on the 53-man, but that could change if the team places him on the PUP list. That would free up another spot, and will likely mean another tight end will make the team (either Daniel Fells or Michael Hoomanawanui).
As for Dennard, we'll find out on Tuesday whether he violated his parole when he was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Lincoln, Nebraska over the offseason. He could easily end up having to serve jail time for the offense, so that would mean he's out of a job and another spot opens up on the Patriots.
But, for now, let's give it a shot:
Offense
Quarterbacks (3)
Tom Brady, Ryan Mallett, Tim Tebow
Running Backs (6)
Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden, LeGarrette Blount, Leon Washington, James Develin
Wide Receivers (6)
Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins, Josh Boyce, Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater
Tight Ends (3)
Rob Gronkowski, Jake Ballard, Zach Sudfeld
Offensive Lineman (7)
Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Logan Mankins, Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell, Will Svitek, Marcus Cannon
Defense
Defensive Lineman (8)
Rob Ninkovich, Chandler Jones, Vince Wilfork, Tommy Kelly, JustiN Francis, Marcus Forston, Marcus Benard, Joe Vellano
Linebackers (5)
Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Dont'a Hightower, Dane Fletcher, Jamie Collins
Cornerbacks (6)
Aqib Talib, Alfonzo Dennard, Kyle Arrington, Marquice Cole, Logan Ryan, Ras-I Dowling
Safeties (6)
Devin McCourty, Steve Gregory, Adrian Wilson, Duron Harmon, Tavon Wilson, Nate Ebner
Punter (1)
Zoltan Mesko
Kicker (1)
Stephen Gostkowski
Long snapper (1)
Danny Aiken
A lot can happen between now and Tuesday, and plenty of jobs can be won or lost in Thursday night's preseason finale. This is one nerve-wracking week for players on the roster bubble, but just part of life in the NFL.
Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on Twitter @RochieWBZ.
Tune in to the Patriots preseason finale Thursday night against the New York Giants on WBZ-TV and 98.5 The Sports Hub -- the flagship station of the New England Patriots. Pregame coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. on 98.5 FM, and at 7.p.m. on WBZ with a special edition of Patriots GameDay. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., which a full post game show on 98.5 and a special Patriots 5th Quarter on WBZ-TV!
