Patriots 53-man roster projection: New plan at WR after preseason opener

Patriots 53-man roster projection: New plan at WR after preseason opener originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

With one preseason game in the books after the Patriots' 48-18 victory over the Washington Commanders on Friday night, let's take a quick stab at another 53-man roster projection for Mike Vrabel's club...

Quarterback (2): Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs

Dobbs struggled against Washington, but he's the kind of backup whose experience in the NFL could be helpful as Maye navigates his second pro season.

Running back (4): Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, TreVeyon Henderson, Lan Larison

Larison picked up a special-teams tackle and ran hard with the reserves on Friday. If healthy - he had a walking boot on after the game - he could be a good special teams option and a depth piece offensively.

Wide receiver (7): Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, Javon Baker, Efton Chism III

It looks like Chism and Javon Baker who could be battling for the No. 6 receiver spot. In this projection, however, both make it.

Baker made an impact on special teams with two tackles against Washington, and he received praise from Mike Vrabel for his efforts in that phase. That could be his ticket to a roster spot after cornerback and special-teams regular Marcellas Dial suffered a torn ACL last week.

Baker also might be the third X" receiver behind Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams, but he makes this list thanks to his kicking-game potential.

Chism, meanwhile, provides real quicker-than-fast slot-option depth behind Douglas. Chism also chipped in on special teams Friday with an 11-yard punt return and could back up Marcus Jones there.

If Chism has two more productive preseason games, providing enticing tape to the rest of the league in the process, the Patriots may need to keep him on the active roster to protect him from being scooped up by another club.

Tight end (3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover

If Josh McDaniels is looking for a fullback - and based on the first offensive call of the game, with three tight ends on the field and one of them in the backfield, he is - Westover could be his guy.

Offensive line (8): Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu, Garrett Bradbury, Jared Wilson, Will Campbell, Marcus Bryant, Ben Brown, Vederian Lowe

Bryant got the nod to start on Friday, indicating the coaching staff views the seventh-round rookie as ahead of Demontrey Jacobs on the depth chart.

Keeping Lowe, who was recently removed off PUP but didn't play Friday, would provide a little more experience as a reserve tackle.

Brown, in this projection, makes it ahead of Cole Strange in the super-sub role on the interior.

Special teams (3): Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby

Parker Romo blasted a 57-yarder on Friday, but it's been a while since Borregales has missed a kick. And as a draft pick, he has the inside track to make the roster.

Defensive tackle (5): Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Khyiris Tonga, Jeremiah Pharms, Joshua Farmer

Farmer, a rookie Day 3 selection, has been back on the field and has showed some promise after dealing with an injury that limited him lately. Whether in practice or in Friday's game, he often displays unrelenting effort to track down the football - an impressive trait for a player of his physical stature.

Edge defender (6): Harold Landry, Keion White, K'Lavon Chaisson, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Truman Jones

Swinson has been relatively quiet in camp, but as a pass-rusher with some upside, he could be worthy of keeping around. Ponder, an undrafted rookie, helped create Henderson's kick-return touchdown with a pancake block and looks like a potential core-four special-teams option.

Jones, in his third year out of Harvard, had some positive moments against the Commanders and looks the part as a reserve pass-rusher in Vrabel's scheme.

Anfernee Jennings, who was still on the field in the fourth quarter Friday night, gets left off this projection.

Linebacker (4): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai

Tavai has been banged up for weeks, making his spot more tenuous. If he's ultimately not deemed a fit, keep an eye on Marte Mapu, who is transitioning from safety to linebacker and has been used as the personal protector on the punt team at times.

Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, DJ James

Austin and James have made the most of their opportunities with Gonzalez and Davis out, giving this room some real depth. Miles Battle and Brandon Crossley have had impressive moments this summer - Battle was in on two breakups Friday - and feel like perfect developmental options for the practice squad.

Safety (6): Jabrill Peppers, Kyle Dugger, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler, Marcus Epps

Both Epps and Dell Pettus could be worthy of roster spots, but there may only be room for one. We err on the side of the veteran in this projection.