Patriots 53-Man Roster Prediction: Results

Earlier this week, I put out my roster predictions for the Patriots initial 53-man roster. Here are the results following the cut-down day on Friday, August 30th. 

My Prediction For Patriots Quarterbacks (2) vs. What Actually Happened (2)

Tom Brady, Jarrett Stidham vs. Tom Brady, Jarrett Stidham

My Prediction for Patriots Running Backs (5) vs. What Actually Happened (5)

Sony Michel, James White, Damien Harris, Rex Burkhead, Brandon Bolden vs. Michel, White, Harris, Burkhead, Bolden

Yet again, no surprises here. This group was pretty much locked for the entirety of the summer. Made my prediction for the initial 53-man roster easy. Harris is a candidate for Injured Reserve, suffering an injury in the third week of preseason. If he gets placed there, he is eligible for return after week 8. It opens up a spot for another player to join the squad as well. But he made the initial roster, therefore, I remain perfect for my predictions. 

Practice Squad Running Back? 

In my predictions, I included a part for practice squad players. I included Nick Brossette on my 10–man practice squad. The Patriots, however, did not include him on that list. It’s important to note that the Patriots still have open spots on the practice squad and can place him there in the near future. But I was incorrect because he was not an initial practice squad player. 

My Prediction For Patriots Fullbacks (1) vs. What Actually Happened (1)

James Devlin vs. James Devlin

Again, no surprises here at all. Devlin has been the Patriots fullback for years and two rookies aren’t going to change that just yet. I continue to remain perfect when guessing the 53-man roster. 

Practice Squad Fullbacks? 

I had two fullbacks be placed on the practice squad. One of them, Jakob Johnson, doesn’t count against the number of players on the practice squad, as he is an international player. He did stick with the Patriots in initial reports, therefore I got that correct. 

The second fullback wasn’t a pure fullback. He was also a tight end that looked somewhat decent in camp. Andrew Beck was that player and I felt as though he could stick on the practice squad. Instead, Beck was claimed by the Broncos.

My Prediction For Patriots Wide Receivers (7) vs. What Actually Happened (7)

Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Phil Dorsett, Jakobi Meyers, N’Keal Harry, Braxton Berrios, Matthew Slater vs. Edelman, Gordon, Dorsett, Meyers, Harry, Slater, Gunner Olszewski

I was nearly right with one of the most difficult position group on the roster. My favorite receiver, Braxton Berrios, was placed on waivers to be put on the practice squad. Reason being, Olszewski was super impressive in week 3 when Berrios did not play and continued to look solid in week 4 in the return game. Berrios was then claimed off waivers by the Jets. 

N’Keal Harry was placed on injured reserve following cut-down day on Monday, August 1st. 

Injured Receivers

Cameron Meredith remains on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He’s been there all summer long. He’s eligible to return after week 6 and it will be interesting to see where he slots into the lineup and who will get cut/traded for Meredith to get onto the roster. 

Who Gets Cut?

Demaryius Thomas was the main player to have gotten cut. Thomas, who returned off of a torn Achilles tendon from last season, looked good in his first game back. I questioned his abilities and whether or not he was even good enough to make the roster. I ultimately decided he wasn’t and it turns out that the Patriots did release him. However, he did do extremely well in the final preseason game and rumor has it he could be brought back barring a guy like N’Keal Harry, who’s dealing with injuries, to be placed on IR. He’s a “vested veteran” as well, meaning he will still be part of the Patriots despite getting cut and ultimately protected from other teams until the Patriots do create room for him to return. 

Thomas was ultimately re-signed, following Harry’s placement on IR on Monday, August 1st. 

Other players were Ryan Davis and Damoun Patterson, who I also predicted to correctly be released. 

Practice Squad Receiver? 

I had Gunner Olszewski being placed on the practice squad. Instead, he swapped spots with Berrios in my prediction. As stated earlier, Berrios was claimed off of waivers by the New York Jets. 

My Prediction For Patriots Tight Ends (2) vs What Actually Happened (2)

Matt LaCosse, Ryan Izzo vs. LaCosse, Izzo

Despite not playing since week one of the preseason, LaCosse still made it onto the Patriots 53-man roster. It’s important to note he has been dealing with what seems to be a lingering ailment and could be a candidate for IR. Izzo is the best blocking tight end, which the Patriots love to utilize, and he showed some really good chemistry with Brady in the passing game. 

Suspended Tight Ends 

I had only Ben Watson, who’s suspended for four games to start the year, to be the only tight end suspended to stick around. While Watson is still in New England, so is Lance Kendricks. Kendricks is a veteran tight end who I had getting released, especially after hearing about his 1-game suspension. But, he’s still around. Question is, will the Patriots hang onto him when he does come back from his suspension? 

Who Gets Cut?

I had Kendricks getting cut, as touched on earlier, along with Eric Saubert and Stephen Anderson. Saubert did get cut, but Anderson did not. 

Anderson was added to the Patriots practice squad. 

Patriots Offensive Line

My Prediction for Patriots Left Tackles (1) vs. What Actually Happened (2)

Isaiah Wynn vs. Wynn, Korey Cunningham

Wynn was a no-brainer. Cunningham was acquired via trade after I had already posted my predictions. Cunningham started 6 games with the Cardinals last season. He can play both on the right and left side, making him the swing tackle behind Marcus Cannon on the right and Wynn on the left. 

I accurately predicted the release of tackles Cedric Lang and Martez Ivey. 

Practice Squad Left Tackles? 

I had 6’10 behemoth, Dan Skipper, along with undrafted free agent rookie Tyree St Louis, being added to the practice squad. Both guys did, in fact, get placed on the practice squad.

Injured Left Tackles

The only injured player is Yodny Cajuste. Cajuste hasn’t played a single rep in the summer, as he has been on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list. He was selected by the Patriots with the 101st pick in this past draft. Cajuste is another IR candidate for the Patriots. 

My Prediction For Patriots Left Guards (1) vs. What Actually Happened (2)

Joe Thuney vs. Thuney, Jermaine Eluemunor

Thuney was another no-brainer add to the 53-man roster. Eluemunor was another offensive lineman that the Patriots traded for after I had already posted my predictions. He has started 3 games out of a possible 17 games in his two-year career. He can play both right and left guard, which is important in a backup interior lineman. 

I had guessed that center/guard Tyler Gauthier would be placed on the practice squad. Instead, he was straight-up released. I am now 3 for 8 on my practice squad predictions. 

My Prediction For Patriots Centers (2) vs. What Actually Happened (2) 

Ted Karras, James Ferentz vs. Karras, Russell Bodine

Karras was a no-brainer yet again, made even more clear with David Andrews being placed on IR for the season. 

Bodine was the third and final trade for an offensive lineman that the Patriots made after my predictions came out. Ferentz was already on the outside-looking-in situation, that trade pushed him off the roster. 

My Prediction For Patriots Right Guards (2) vs. What Actually Happened (1)

Shaq Mason, Hjalte Froholdt vs. Mason

Mason is the Patriots best offensive lineman. No way he would have been cut. Hjalte Froholdt, the rookie whom the Patriots drafted in the fourth round out of Arkansas, was placed on season-ending IR. 

My Prediction For Patriots Right Tackle (1) vs. What Actually Happened (1) 

Marcus Cannon vs. Cannon

I don’t think there is a need for an explanation here. Cunningham can swing over to the right tackle position if Cannon goes down with injuries. 

Defensive Linemen

My Prediction For Patriots Defensive Tackle (4) vs. What Actually Happened (4)

Lawrence Guy, Danny Shelton, Adam Butler, Byron Cowart vs. Guy, Shelton, Butler, Cowart

Guy is the top defensive tackle in this group. Shelton is the number one nose tackle in this group beating out Mike Pennel. Butler is an excellent run-stopper. Cowart was super impressive during the preseason. 

Practice Squad DTs?

I had Ufomba Kamalu being placed on the practice squad. That was correct. 

Who Gets Cut? 

In my initial prediction, I had David Parry getting cut. That did, in fact, happen. Despite being impressive during the preseason, Parry was neither added to the practice squad nor was he claimed by another team. 

My Prediction For Patriots Defensive End (4) vs. What Actually Happened (4)

Michael Bennett, Chase Winovich, Deatrich Wise, John Simon vs. Bennett, Winovich, Wise, Simon

Bennett is one heck of a player. He was a monster in camp and in the preseason when he played. Wise is the only other true defensive end, though he doesn’t fit the build of the Patriots new defensive schemes. Winovich and Simon are both considered more closely as outside linebackers who can play in a 3-4 set off the line. Both are good in pass-rush scenarios. 

Injured Defensive Ends

Derek Rivers and Keionta Davis were both injured. I had them both getting placed on injured reserve. Both Rivers and Davis did, in fact, get sent to season-ending IR. 

Practice Squad DEs 

I selected Trent Harris as a practice squad player. While he was assigned to be on the practice squad, he was claimed off of waivers by the Dolphins. Instead, the Patriots placed Nick Thurman on their practice squad. Thurman is also considered a defensive tackle, which may have inspired the Patriots enough to place him on the practice squad.

My Prediction For Patriots Linebackers (6) vs. What Actually Happened (6)

Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Calvin Munson, Elandon Roberts vs. Hightower, Van Noy, Collins, Bentley, Roberts, Shilique Calhoun

Hightower and Van Noy are outside linebackers that can swing into the inside. Collins can play both inside and outside linebacker, with good pass coverage and pass-rush qualities. Bentley can rotate as an inside or outside linebacker. Roberts is an inside linebacker that excels at stopping the run. Calhoun was super impressive in camp and not a shock to make the roster. Calhoun was injured, however, during the preseason. He is certainly a candidate for IR. 

Injured Linebackers

I had Calhoun getting placed on IR, but that did not happen on the initial roster. Brandon King, on the other hand, was placed on season-ending IR. 

Who Gets Cut? 

I had Terez Hall, Christian Sam and Scooby Wright getting cut. Terez Hall was the only one who did not get released. Instead, he was added to the practice squad. 

My Prediction For Patriots Cornerbacks (6) vs. What Actually Happened (6)

Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, JC Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Joejuan Williams, Keion Crossen vs. Gilmore, McCourty, Jackson, Jones, Williams, Obi Melifonwu

Gilmore and McCourty will likely be the two outside corners, with Gilmore being one of the best in the league. Jackson will likely rotate with McCourty, as well as occasionally playing out of the slot. Jones is the Patriots top slot cornerback, however. Williams is a physical corner who can play against tight ends. Williams can also work as a safety. Obi Melifonwu is a surprising addition, but he is a solid special teamer and depth corner option. He can also play safety. Keion Crossen was traded away to the Texans.  

Injured, Cut and Practice Squad Cornerbacks

D’Angelo Ross was placed on season-ending IR early in camp. 

I had Melifonwu on the practice squad, but he was instead a member of the 53-man roster. 

Ken Webster was my lone cut. The Patriots attempted to add him to the practice squad, but he was instead claimed off waivers by the Dolphins. 

My Prediction For Patriots Safeties (6) vs. What Actually Happened (5)

Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon, Terrance Brooks, Nate Ebner, Duke Dawson vs. McCourty, Chung, Harmon, Brooks, Ebner

McCourty and Chung are the starting safeties. Harmon and Brooks are the back-ups. Ebner is a special teams’ player that adds depth to the safety core. Duke Dawson was traded away to the Denver Broncos. 

Practice Squad Safeties

Malik Gant was a player that I predicted to make the practice squad. Gant did not make it there. He was waived and went unclaimed. He is currently a free agent. Gant deserves a shot if I’m being honest. 

Special Teams

Kickers (1)

Stephen Gostkowski

There was only one kicker on the roster all summer long. There was no question Gostkowski was going to be the Patriots kicker for the 2019-20 season. He will likely no longer be manning the kick-offs, which gives him some much-needed rest for his leg. 

Punters (1)

Jake Bailey

Bailey beat out veteran Ryan Allen earlier this summer. He was undoubtedly making it after Allen’s release. Bailey has a strong leg that could work wonders for the Patriots in timely situations. He also works as the kick-off specialist, taking the load off Gostkowski’s plate. 

Long Snapper (1)

Joe Cardona

This was pretty easy here. Do I have to explain it?

In Conclusion

I went 47 for 53 in my roster predictions. That amounts to an 88.7% success rate. As for my practice squad predictions, I was way off. Including Jakob Johnson, there were 11 players on the list I predicted. Only 4 of them actually made it there. That’s a 36.4% success rate. Not good at all. All-in-all, this was a fun series, with a lot of fun outcomes. For a more organized look at the practice squad, here is the official list: Calvin Munson, Terez Hall, Tyree St Louis, Stephen Anderson, Gerri Green, Ufomba Kamalu, Dan Skipper, Nick Thurman and Jakob Johnson (exempt from the count). 

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All stats via football-reference