Seven players that could be on the Patriots’ roster bubble
Going into the offseason the Patriots were sitting on house money. They had just pulled off a stunning comeback which led to them capturing their second Super Bowl in three seasons. A fifth in the Belichick and Brady era.
Furthermore, they had a very good young core locked in on offense and had the cap space and means to sign most of their key defensive free agents. Most expected the Patriots to just sit back, sign their key free agents and play it safe until the next year. After all, they were the defending champs.
However, Belichick did what Belichick does best and what he has become known for around league circles. He zigged when everyone else thought he would zag. He spent the cap space, made a high profile trade, retained their key free agents, and kept one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the league. All in all, he created perhaps the deepest and most talented roster he has had. Which is saying something considering the near perfect season of 2007.
With having a deep and talented roster though comes extremely tough decisions with many interesting positional battles. Here are some Patriot players to keep an eye on that may be on the Patriots’ roster bubble.
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Danny Amendola, WR
Amendola has once again taken a pay cut to remain a member of the Patriots, something that absolutely had to come to fruition if he wanted to remain in New England. Amendola has been a great teammate and the prototypical Patriot since he has been here. He has routinely played through injuries and never complained despite limited roles in most games.
However, the business of the NFL means that sometimes teams ask players to take pay cuts to make the cap hit shrink should they want to cut bait with that player. With Hawkins now in the fold, this could very well be down to Amendola and Hawkins for the backup Edelman role. Despite the competition, Amendola has earned Brady’s trust and the admiration of the coaching staff. Although he is a break glass type player during the regular season he is extremely valuable nonetheless.
2017 Dead Cap Charge: $2,816,668
Chance of being cut/traded: 20%
LaAdrian Waddle/Cameron Fleming, OT
Both Waddle and Fleming may be fighting for the same role as a swing tackle this offseason. However, if Scarnecchia deems both Antonio Garcia and Conor McDermott ready for backup roles, then both could be looking for work.
The Patriots most likely will go with eight offensive linemen. Ted Karras seems to have a role locked up as the interior backup leaving two spots for the four aforementioned tackles. The possibility exists that McDermott gets stashed on the practice squad as he would probably clear waivers at this point.
2017 draftee Garcia seems like a roster lock. The Patriots are grooming him for Nate Solder’s left tackle spot as he is in the last year of his deal. That leaves three players fighting for one spot.
Waddle is likely the odd-man-out as he had very little impact last season, and would have a dead cap hit of just $300,000. Fleming seems to have the edge for the last spot as he has some limited experience at guard, but also has a lot of experience as a run blocking tight end. Look for Fleming, Karras, and Garcia to be the three backups this year, with McDermott just a call away on the practice squad.
Waddle 2017 Dead Cap Charge: $300,000
Fleming 2017 Dead Cap Charge: $0
Waddle Chances of being cut/traded: 80%
Fleming Chances of being cut/traded: 35%
Dion Lewis, RB
Some people may look at this name and think “No way Lewis gets cut! Didn’t you watch him play two years ago?!” The answer is yes, but that Lewis that played two years ago didn’t play last year. Lewis was still very shifty and tough to tackle, but he did not play as well. He routinely missed holes and went down slightly easier last year. Part of the problem may be the fact it was Lewis’ first year back after his injury. But if that is what he is now after the injury, his chances of returning decrease.
The Patriots spent a decent chunk of change on Rex Burkhead this year, as well as Mike Gillislee to be premier players on this rushing attack. Throw in the extension for James White as a pass catching back and there simply isn’t a big role for Lewis on this team right now.
Another factor is that Lewis has decent trade value and could possibly fetch a fourth or fifth round pick in a trade. Lewis’ chance of not making the roster is higher than most think. However, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he had an “injury” and was placed on PUP list for the first eight weeks.
2017 Dead Cap Charge: $200,000
Chances of being cut/traded: 55%
Jordan Richards, S
When he was drafted Richards looked like a promising player that would potentially be able to take over for Patrick Chung at strong safety. The Patriots envisioned him as the ‘in the box’, bigger safety that covers tight ends and plays strong against the run.
However, that has ultimately not proven to be the case. Richards has struggled to break through in practice, mainly just contributing on special teams. He is a smart player, but entering his third year and with no significant progress being made, that spot may go to an undrafted player like D.J. Killings.
Richards does make an impact on special teams and Belichick likes his special teamers. The question is, does he do enough on special teams and in the emergency safety role, over the younger, cheaper undrafted guys. The likelihood Richards returns is slim, but it’s up to the undrafted guys to make an impact in camp.
2017 Dead Cap Charge: $289,827
Chances of being cut/traded: 55%
Cyrus Jones/ Jonathan Jones, CB
When looking at the big picture, it seems silly to think a second round pick from 2016 and an UDFA from last year could be cut. However, that is exactly what could happen.
No, both of them will not be cut. However, one is certainly not out of the question for Belichick. After all, Belichick likes to keep one undrafted defensive back each year with Malcolm Butler and Jonathan Jones being among the most recent examples. If that pattern holds true one corner will have to go. Eric Rowe, Stephon Gilmore, and Malcolm Butler are roster locks, leaving just Cyrus Jones and Jonathan Jones to fight for the last spot.
The money is on Cyrus to take the last spot, but don’t overlook Jonathan Jones speed and special teams’ ability. One other note that is important on these two: they both are solid slot corners, something that is a question mark on this team.
C. Jones 2017 Dead Cap Charge: $615,492
J. Jones 2017 Dead Cap Charge: $0
C. Jones Chances of being cut/traded: 30%
J. Jones Chances of being cut/traded: 50%
– David Albiani is a Staff Writer for cover32/Patriots and covers the New England Patriots. Like and follow on Follow @realnesportsfan Follow @cover32_NE and Facebook.
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