Bill Belichick and the New England http://www.teamcardinalsprostore.com/buy-2017-discount-chris-johnso... Patriots will open 2017 training camp with perhaps the most loaded roster in the team's history.
The Pats have elite talent and experience at every position. This will be a dream group for Belichick.
But it won't be easy to pick the final 53 players at the end of August. Let's examine the current roster:
Projecting The Roster Locks
Offense—20
QB—Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett (3)
RB—Mike Gillislee, Rex Burkhead, James White, Dion Lewis (4)
FB—James Develin (1)
WR—Julian Edelman, Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell (4)
TE—Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen (2)
OT—Nate Solder, Marcus Cannon, Tony Garcia (3)
OG—Shaq Mason, Joe Thuney (2)
C—David Andrews (1)
Defense—22
DE—Trey Flowers, Kony Ealy, http://www.authenticcoltsshop.com/shop-by-players-dwayne-allen-jers... Rob Ninkovich, Derek Rivers, Deatrich Wise (5)
DT—Malcom Brown, Alan Branch, Vincent Valentine, Lawrence Guy (4)
LB—Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts (3)
CB—Stephon Gilmore, Malcolm Butler, Eric Rowe, Jonathan Jones, Cyrus Jones (5)
S—Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon, Nate Ebner, Brandon King (5)
Specialists—4
K Stephen Gostkowski, P Ryan Allen, LS Joe Cardona, ST/WR Matt Slater (4)
A few thoughts: Some have tossed around the idea that Dion Lewis’ roster spot could be in jeopardy. While I agree that Lewis may Michael Thomas Youth Jersey be in a tough competition for touches, I do not think the Patriots would outright cut him. He is too talented, too much of a difference maker when healthy. Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears had plenty of good things to say about Lewis this past week.
The two toughest exclusions were wide receiver Danny Amendola and linebacker Shea McClellin. Both are probably safe. But it’s not inconceivable that a player like Andrew Hawkins or Austin Carr beats out Amendola for the No. 5 receiver spot. It’s also possible, albeit unlikely, that McClellin loses his spot to Jonathan Freeny or Harvey Langi.
Despite a disappointing rookie year, I projected cornerback Cyrus Jones as a lock. It’s too early for the Patriots to give up on Jones, a second-round pick in 2016.
The above projection lists 46 locks. That leaves a few dozen players battling for seven spots.
Among them: a third tight end (James O’Shaughnessy vs. Jacob Hollister vs. Matt Lengel), a backup interior offensive lineman (Ted Karras vs. Jamil Douglas vs. James Ferentz vs. Jason King), and a fourth linebacker (Shea McClellin vs. Harvey Langi vs. Jonathan Freeny).
Thoughts on “roster bubble” players Stephon Gilmore Authentic Jersey are below. Rookies and veteran free agent signings (like wide receiver Andrew Hawkins) are not included.