FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots open the 2024 regular season at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8 at Paycor Stadium.
Coming off a 4-13 season, the Patriots are transitioning to a new regime under executive director of player personnel Eliot Wolf and head coach Jerod Mayo, mixing a longer-range vision to develop younger players with a short-term goal to win now. That is most notable at quarterback, where No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye is waiting in the wings behind veteran Jacoby Brissett.
Furthermore, there are holes in various spots on the roster and the Patriots are expected to be active on the waiver wire.
"Having a third claim spot is a good advantage, and we'll be aggressive I think," Wolf said.
Here is a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (4): Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Bailey Zappe, Joe Milton III
Zappe would be the odd man out in a numbers crunch, or if the Patriots claim a player on waivers from other team, but seeing Brissett take a hard hit on his right shoulder Sunday night was a reminder of why he's currently important insurance. He has been one of the top 53 players in training camp and might have value in a trade after showing in the preseason that he can move the offense (15-of-24 for 137 yards through the first two preseason games). On the possibility the Patriots could keep all four quarterbacks, which would be unconventional, Wolf said: "We're going to try to carry the best 53 [players], whoever those guys are."
RUNNING BACK (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris
Harris' 18-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the preseason finale, and JaMycal Hasty being part of a blocking miscue that resulted in Brissett getting sacked and potentially injured, contributed to Harris getting the nod as RB3. Hasty and undrafted free agent Terrell Jennings would be ideal candidates to return to the practice squad.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): K.J. Osborn, DeMario Douglas, Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor
Kendrick Bourne opening the year on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) clarifies the logjam a bit, with one of the top questions being who gets a sixth spot -- assuming the team keeps that number. Reagor gets the nod over Kayshon Boutte because of his presence on kickoff returns with the NFL's new rule potentially adding to his value. Thornton, the 2022 second-round pick who has yet to meet draft-slot expectations, capped off training camp by hauling in a 45-yard ball from Brissett that reflected how he seems safe.
TIGHT END (4): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Mitchell Wilcox, Jaheim Bell
Wilcox (48 career games, nine starts) was getting a lot of run in training camp as a top consideration for the TE3 role, but he hobbled off the field in a practice after the second preseason game, opening the door for Bell, the 2024 seventh-round pick from Florida State. "He's stepped up to the challenge," Mayo said of Bell. Perhaps they both stick, as tight ends play a big role in Alex Van Pelt's system.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Chukwuma Okorafor, Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson, Nick Leverett, Michael Jordan
The top two concerns are offensive tackle -- where Lowe has been the top player on the left side and Okorafor on the right side -- and backup center (Leverett has taken the majority of reps there). Jordan beats out Calvin Anderson as the last lineman to stick if the Patriots don't like the external options on the waiver wire, but his spot seems shaky.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise Jr., Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Keion White, Daniel Ekuale, Trysten Hill
Christian Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots, according to the team, creating a significant void next to Godchaux in the starting lineup. Ekuale and Pharms have shown up there the most in the preseason, and Hill's usage (32 snaps in the first two games) has reflected that of a player the coaching staff projects will be on the roster. There could be an addition spot here, with Mike Purcell, Armon Watts and Sam Roberts among the top considerations.
LINEBACKER (7): Ja'Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings, Joshua Uche, Oshane Ximines, Raekwon McMillan, Christian Elliss
Free-agent signing Sione Takitaki opening on the physically unable to perform list would open a spot for McMillan, the respected eight-year veteran who is returning from a lost season due to a torn Achilles. Trading Matthew Judon also solidifies Ximines' standing on the roster, with William Bradley-King a depth option who could land on the practice squad if he doesn't make the roster.
CORNERBACK (6): Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Marco Wilson, Shaun Wade, Alex Austin
The return to health of Gonzalez, the 2023 first-round pick who was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month last September before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury, solidifies the top of the depth chart. Mayo had noted that inconsistency with backups created uncertainty over who might emerge, with Wilson, Austin and Dial getting the edge over Isaiah Bolden and Marcellas Dial Jr. -- both of whom would be ideal practice-squad possibilities.
SAFETY (5): Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marte Mapu, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler
Mapu has missed most of training camp with an undisclosed injury and his status is a wild card of sorts. As a result, Hawkins, who signed a modest one-year deal this offseason after finishing last season with the Chargers, has strengthened his case for a spot. Joshuah Bledsoe has also shown up and could stick -- either on the roster or practice squad.
SPECIALISTS (3): Joey Slye (K), Bryce Baringer (P), Joe Cardona (LS)
Slye is 7-of-7 on field goal attempts from 50 yards or more in the preseason, which gives him the narrow edge over Chad Ryland, the 2023 fourth-round pick.