The New England Patriots have finalized their initial 53-man roster, and the biggest surprise? They're keeping EIGHT wide receivers! Head Coach Mike Vrabel is clearly prioritizing depth at the receiver position, but what does this mean for the rest of the team?
Bourne's Back: A Surprise Roster Spot
Veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne, who hasn't practiced since early August due to a foot injury, has made the team! This is a significant vote of confidence from the coaching staff. Bourne's experience and potential upside seem to have outweighed his recent injury concerns. Joining him are roster locks Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and rookie Kyle Williams. Undrafted rookie Efton Chism III, a training camp standout, and second-year receiver Javon Baker also secured spots.
What About the Running Backs?
Carrying eight receivers comes at a cost. The Patriots are only keeping three running backs: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, and Antonio Gibson. Vrabel's known for utilizing running backs in the offense, so this thin roster at the position is a bit of a head-scratcher. Will they add another running back in the coming weeks?
More Roster Moves to Come?
Don't expect this roster to stay static. The Patriots have an abbreviated week of preparation before their Week 1 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on September 7th. Expect more roster tinkering over the next week and throughout the first month of the season. Could one of these eight receivers be on the chopping block? Only time will tell.
Other Roster News
In other news, Cole Strange, the 2022 first-round pick, was among the roster cuts. Jared Wilson is projected to start at left guard. Rookie Andy Borregales won the kicker competition. The Patriots also decided to keep Kyle Dugger after fielding trade offers.
Key Takeaways:
- The Patriots are prioritizing receiver depth.
- Kendrick Bourne's roster spot is a surprise.
- The running back position is currently thin.
- Expect more roster changes in the near future.