FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots open the 2021 NFL regular season against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 12 at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots finished the 2020 season 7-9, their first sub-.500 year since 2000, which was Bill Belichick's first as head coach.
One of the big questions surrounding the Patriots was how they would resolve an overflow at running back, where Damien Harris returns as a top option, 2021 fourth-round pick Rhamondre Stevenson (Oklahoma) has been impressive this preseason, and diminutive sparkplug J.J. Taylor continues to ascend. Shipping 2018 first-round pick Sony Michel to the Los Angeles Rams last week helped clarify that picture.
Otherwise, the Patriots' roster doesn't seem like it will include many surprises, with some of the top questions relating to depth at tight end, offensive tackle and the defensive backfield.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Cam Newton, Mac Jones
No change from the last projection, but if coach Bill Belichick decides Jones is ready to start from Day 1, it would be easy to envision a scenario in which Newton is given the choice on whether he wants to stick around. Newton has seemed to earn that level of respect from Belichick, and if he ever decided he wanted out, it would open a spot for Brian Hoyer.
RUNNING BACK (5): Damien Harris, James White, Rhamondre Stevenson, J.J. Taylor, Brandon Bolden
Changes from the summer projections: Stevenson is in after being activated off the non-football injury list -- and making an immediate impact with one of the most impressive plays of the preseason with a 91-yard touchdown run against the Washington Football Team -- while Michel's trade to the Rams addressed an overflow at the position.
FULLBACK (1): Jakob Johnson
He's still growing into the position, and provides some flexibility in the event of injuries at tight end.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Gunner Olszewski, N'Keal Harry, Kristian Wilkerson
Harry has done enough in practices to stick around, even though that didn't transfer over consistently in preseason games. Wilkerson made a charge for the sixth spot, and if he falls short he is a candidate for the practice squad if.
TIGHT END (3): Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Devin Asiasi
It isn't out of the question that veteran Matt LaCosse could give Asiasi a run for a roster spot, but one would think Asiasi's draft status (2020 third round) buys him a little more time. Or, the Patriots could simply keep four tight ends, adding LaCosse and trimming elsewhere.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Isaiah Wynn, Mike Onwenu, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Trent Brown, Ted Karras, Justin Herron, Yodny Cajuste
The one change since the last projection is adding Cajuste, the 2019 third-round draft pick who looked like a goner at the start of camp but has come on strong of late. Cunningham might be on the outs, but given the league-wide struggle to build offensive tackle depth, he might sneak onto the roster. Will Sherman, this year's sixth-round draft pick from Colorado, would be a priority signing to the practice squad in this scenario.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux, Christian Barmore, Henry Anderson, Deatrich Wise Jr.
Byron Cowart remains on the physically unable to perform list (PUP), and Carl Davis, Montravius Adams, Nick Thurman and Bill Murray would all be strong possibilities to stick on the practice squad to add quality depth.
LINEBACKER (8): Dont'a Hightower, Matt Judon, Kyle Van Noy, Josh Uche, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Ronnie Perkins, Anfernee Jennings, Chase Winovich
The change from last time is Winovich coming off the PUP list to earn a spot, while Raekwon McMillan is out for the season with a torn ACL. So the overall number of linebackers is the same, but it reflects a change in depth at the inside linebacker spot, where Van Noy now becomes more of a factor in the event of an injury to Hightower or Bentley.
CORNERBACK (6): Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Jalen Mills, Joejuan Williams, Shaun Wade
Will Gilmore, who remains on the PUP list as he recovers from a quad injury suffered in December, be ready for the season? Time is ticking on that one, with the backdrop that Gilmore isn't happy with his contract situation.
SAFETY (3): Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger
This is a spot where the Patriots could be seeking help around the NFL, with Bryant (second year, University of Washington) on the roster bubble and a possibility to begin the year on the practice squad. Given how often the team plays with three safeties on the field, prioritizing the depth chart behind McCourty, Phillips and Dugger has importance.
SPECIALISTS (6): Jake Bailey (P), Nick Folk (PK), Joe Cardona (LS), Matthew Slater, Justin Bethel, Cody Davis
After undrafted kicker Quinn Nordin started strong in training camp, he's since faded a bit, meaning Folk should be set as the kicker.