Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Too Soon? Mike’s Patriots 53-Man Roster Predictions - 6/22/2020

Episode Date: June 22, 2020

Some might say it is ‘way too early.” However, the New England Patriots 2020 roster might be the most scrutinized in the team’s recent history. Today, host Mike D’Abate provides his first 53-man roster prediction, including some surprise omissions and inclusions in the first Patriots roster of the post-Tom Brady era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Patriots fans, you are now locked in to the Locked On Patriots Podcast. I'm going to show you how to make a beautiful and beautiful flower. I'm going to use a small flower pot. I'm going to use a small pot Hello to all of you, Foxborough faithful, and welcome to your way-too-early Roster Prediction Monday episode of the Lockdown Patriots Podcast, your daily dose of news, notes, and analysis infused with the occasional opinion on your six-time Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots.

Today's episode is brought to you by Built Bar. Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to BuiltBar.com and use promo code LOCKEDON to get $10 off your first order. Patriots fans, so begins another week here on the pod. My name is Mike DeBate, your host of the Locked On Patriots podcast, which of course is a proud part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. And folks, because it's your team every day, that means your questions, comments, and feedback always welcomed, greatly appreciated.

And feel free to share that feedback with me anytime by reaching out to me and following me on Twitter at MDABATEFPC. And while you're out there traveling through the Twitterverse, please be sure to follow the Lockdown Patriots account as well at LO underscore Patriots. Folks, as we kick off a new week here on the Lockdown Patriots pod, I'm sure all of you listening out there know that for the better part of the last couple of weeks, maybe even the better part of the last month, we've been doing a lot of positional breakdowns here on the pod. I and many of my guests have been taking a deeper dive

into the Patriots' positional depth charts, determining which players we expect to make a significant impact on the 2020 roster, and which players might find themselves on the roster bubble come training camp. Now, keep in mind, folks, there's a lot of roster shuffling that can happen between now and the start of training camp. As of right now, that's still on target to begin at the end of July. But as we saw over the weekend, that's not completely set in stone yet. Several teams have been reporting that members of their front office staff, coaches, and even players are testing positive for COVID-19.

Now you have to believe that this does not come as a shock to any of these teams or their front office personnel. You had to expect that players, coaches, anyone connected with the team could theoretically test positive for COVID-19. What this means for the future of training camp and even into the 2020 NFL season, it's still way too early to tell. For the purposes of today's conversation, we're going to assume that all systems go. And even though the official start of summer here in the U.S. is merely hours old, I thought this would be a good time to do a way-too-early roster prediction

for your 2020 New England Patriots. And in the interest of being a gracious host, I won't put any of my illustrious guests on the hot seat, not even you, the great listeners. Because today, I'm putting myself on the hot seat. That's right. Today, right here on Locked On Patriots, will be my first attempt at a 53-man roster prediction. Please keep in mind that these are my predictions as of today. I've yet to see any of the new faces or

the rookies work out, in a Patriots setting that is, nor have I had the chance to see them build relationships during training camp. So keep in mind folks, this is not my final attempt at a 53-man roster prediction, it's simply my first. And as I sit here today, Monday, June 22, 2020, about to start my fourth full year of covering the NFL, I've come to experience that, maybe with the exception of submitting mock drafts, 53-man roster predictions are definitely something that NFL fans are passionate about. I've done a great number of these for print media in the past, and I can tell you that some of the most passionate, yeah, I'll leave it at that, passionate feedback that I've received has been regarding some of my inclusions and omissions from the Patriots' final 53-man roster.

There are times where I've been right, and there are times where I've been wrong. But if I'm being honest, this was a really fun weekend exercise for me, sitting down, looking at the Patriots' positional depth charts, using the analysis that I and my guests have done right here on Locked On Patriots, and then using that combined analysis to make an educated determination as to which of these Patriots will be on the final 53-man roster when, hopefully, the season is set to begin in September. Again, folks, I expect you to agree with some of my selections, and I expect you to disagree with some of my selections.

Variety is the spice of life. If we agree all the time, it's no fun. So once you've listened to today's pod, I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you think I'm onto something? Have I exhibited wisdom and counsel beyond my years? Or were you sitting there listening, shaking your head, going,

this guy is wrong? Again, roster prediction isn't an exact science. Thankfully, I'm not the one responsible for putting these together. That would be Bill Belichick, Nick Casario, and the Patriots Brain Trust. And believe me when I tell you, folks, for all of the armchair GMs out there that believe that they could put together a championship roster with their eyes closed, I assure you, it's a lot more difficult than it looks. So sit tight, folks.

I hope you enjoy what I have for you in store on the Locked On Patriots podcast today, breaking down the good, the bad, and the ugly of my roster predictions. And in just a moment, we'll kick off my way-too-early roster predictions with the defense. Most of these that you see, everybody starts with the offense. We're going to flip the script a little today here, and we're going to start with the defense. That means D-line, linebackers and edge rushers, and of course, that formidable Patriots secondary with the cornerbacks and the safeties. Who knows, we might even sprinkle in a little talk on the Patriots specialists.

And in the interest of spoiler alerts, I don't think you'll be too surprised on my selections there. But once we've talked all the defense the time will allow, we'll bring it all home today here on Locked On Patriots by giving you my predictions on who will make the Patriots 53-man roster in 2020 on the offense. But first, folks, as we continue as a nation to navigate through tumultuous times, please be assured that the Locked On Podcast Network stands against racism and social injustice. That's why we, the Locked On hosts, are making personal donations to local and national organizations that are fighting for change. And in the month of June, Locked On is matching the total of all host

donations up to an additional $10,000. To make your own donation along with us, please visit LockedOnPodcast.com slash Black Lives Matter. Together, let's be the change we wish to see in the world. Once again, Patriots fans, I will be providing my way-too-early roster predictions for your New England Patriots in just one moment. But first, summer is now officially upon us. And those summer days and summer nights just continue to exude energy. But if you find yourself in need of just a little more energy to make it through your day, may I suggest an indulging in my new favorite tasty treat, and that is

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Don't delay. Make Bilt Bar your go-to protein bar today. Patriots fans, once again, we kick off a brand new week here on the Locked On Patriots podcast. And it's way too early for a lot of things, folks, right now. Summer is just merely hours old. So it is way too early to start thinking about fall. Way, way too early to start thinking about the holidays. But it's never too early to start thinking about football. Although, folks, I do realize that it is a little early to start thinking about predicting

what the 2020 Patriots roster might look like. But seeing that it's a new week here on the pod, now is as good a time as any to get started. And as I indicated just a few moments ago, we're going to start on the defensive side of the ball. But before we do that, I just wanted to bring you up to speed on some of the logistical changes this year when it comes to the final 53-man roster and some of the confusion about roster numbers bumping up or bumping down, players that might be available on the practice squad and whatnot. And Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston really put a very clear and concise explanation of all of this out at the tail end of last month. And I paraphrase Phil's words, but essentially, folks, there will still be 53 active spots per team when the regular season begins. Now, the teams do have the ability,

through the new collective bargaining agreement, to bump that number up to 55 if they choose to temporarily. Now, the only way they're able to do that is if they promote to practice squad players. But there's a catch. It doesn't mean practice squatters can simply be promoted and a part of the team's roster all of the time. Teams can only pull off that temporary promotion a couple of times with the same player in a given season. So for those of you that were thinking that players that are stashed on the practice squad could somehow find their way sneaking onto the active roster, that will not be the case. Another change that the CBA invoked this year is that on game days, teams can activate 48 players.

That was up from the previous 46. The caveat is they have to have eight offensive linemen in uniform at that time. Now, for those of you wondering about the practice squad, I'm not going to do a practice squad prediction on today's episode. That'll be a conversation for another day. But per the CBA this year, NFL clubs will now be provided 12 practice squad spots, which is up from the previous max of 10. That gives them more bodies to choose from in the event they want to pull off a temporary promotion.

Now, that may not seem like much, but considering that the Patriots have a penchant for signing undrafted free agents, signed a great deal of them this year, also there might be guys on the roster bubble that they might want to sneak onto the practice squad, this could end up looming pretty large for the Patriots. So again, folks, keep a sharp eye on rosters, especially as teams are ready to break training camp, player performances, especially as teams are ready to break training camp. Player performances, especially the younger players' performances in training camp and in the preseason, will likely determine whether or not they could sneak their way onto the 53-man roster or whether a practice squad designation would be their best bet.

So now that the logistics are out of the way, let's dive into Mike's Locked On Patriots 53-man roster prediction version 1.0. And I start on the defensive line, where I have five true defensive linemen making my cut in the first draft of a roster. And of course, no big surprise, my two roster locks on the defensive line are Lawrence Guy and Adam Butler. And anyone that saw these two guys play last year knows why it's not a surprise. Great job defending against the run. Each of these guys was always right there when it. Great job defending against the run. Each of these guys

was always right there when it came to putting pressure on the passer. Their knowledge of the system and their skill makes them both invaluable parts of this defensive line. No question about it, Lawrence Guy and Adam Butler deserve their spots. My next three depth pieces along the line, two of which you'll probably agree with, and one I'm predicting I'm going to get some feedback on. And it might not be such favorable feedback, but like I said in the previous segment, folks, variety is the spice of life. And I start with the incumbent among my three remaining defensive linemen, and that is Byron Cowart. Now, Cowart was a fifth-rounder out of Maryland in the 2019 draft. Didn't exactly set

the world ablaze last year with his stats. In fact, he had one tackle against the Miami Dolphins on September 15th of last year, and then also had one tackle against the Miami Dolphins on September 15th of last year, and then also had one tackle in the loss at Baltimore on November 3rd. That's pretty much the entirety of Byron's stat line. He was inactive for 11 regular season contests last year, and he was also inactive for the Patriots' wildcard loss in January versus the Tennessee Titans. But I justify Byron's selection for two reasons. One, he has a full year of experience in the Patriots system. OTAs and minicamps were canceled this year. There's still a lot of uncertainty surrounding training camp.

As much as we want to believe everything's going to go off without a hitch, we just simply don't know that yet. Therefore, I believe that players that have experience in their own team system are going to be much more valuable this year than they ever have before. Byron is a big guy that showed some signs of athleticism last year. He's 6'3", 300, so he's going to add a good amount of bulk to that defensive line. And again, his experience in the system allows me to give him the nod. Newcomer Bo Allen takes the fourth spot.

I believe he'll be the de facto nose tackle this year, taking over for Danny Shelton. And the fifth name is one that may raise a few eyebrows. But if you've listened to Locked On Patriots the last few weeks, it shouldn't come as that big of a surprise. To me, making the roster this year as the fifth defensive lineman is going to be undrafted free agent Nick Coe out of Auburn. And some of you might be throwing things on your listening device right now, but hear me out. Anybody that's watched film on Nick Coe knows that he has the talent, potential first-round talent, to be a steal this year in the NFL. Now, I'm definitely not shying away from the disciplinary problems that held Nick Coe out of action for various points of the season last year when he was at Auburn.

Just the opposite. We've talked about them many times here on the Locked On Patriots podcast, and I will reiterate, if Nick Coe shows up in New England harboring any of that malaise or disciplinary issues that he exhibited in Auburn, he will clearly not make the team. But two things make me believe that Nick Coe will be on this team this year, and not just as a practice squatter. First, I think the Patriots signed him for a reason. They know how to use this kid.

Nick Coe is at his best when he plays that hybrid edge rusher role, primarily in a 3-4 scheme. The Patriots played that 3-4 scheme last year, and they did it with a great deal of success. I believe Nick Coe has the talent to come in and not only be a part of that scheme, but also be a significant factor in it. So much so that my belief in Coe's fit in this defense allowed me to leave off someone that I hold in very high regard,

and that's Dietrich Wise Jr. I think Coe is a much more natural fit for the way the Patriots want to line up on the defensive line, and his athleticism and talent gives him the nod over Patriots want to line up on the defensive line, and his athleticism and talent gives him the nod over Wise, who I believe will be a good pro, but I believe is kind of an awkward fit in the way the Patriots play defense, and maybe a fresh start would be best for Dietrich.

The other reason I see Coe as a good fit here in New England is because I believe he has matured. I think he's come to a greater understanding now of what Gus Malzahn and the Auburn defensive coaching staff were using him last year. They felt that by putting Nick Coe all over the field, it only strengthened their defense. Malzahn saw Coe as a guy that could play inside, outside, off the ball, an athletic, strong guy that could basically do it all. The problem is that Nick Coe was shining at his best when he was in that hybrid pass-rush role. He felt that by moving him all over the field, it was a demotion, caused him to become disengaged.

I'm in no way making excuses for Nick Coe. He did show a lack of maturity, but at the same time, I think he understands that at the pro level, versatility is more important than shining as a star, especially early on. I believe Nick got the message by going undrafted that this is not going to fly here in the NFL. He understands he has a great opportunity here with the Patriots with a phenomenal coaching staff. I look for him to take advantage of it. And as so, Nick Coe could end up being one of those defensive diamonds in the rough

that the Patriots are so glad they took a chance on. So just the top five, and I'm already hitting you with a surprise. Well, the good news is, folks, that when it comes to the linebacking core, both on the inside and the outside, there aren't many earth-shaking surprises when it comes to this group. When it comes to talent and savvy, the Patriots inside linebacking group is right up there with any in the NFL. My selections on the inside when it comes to linebackers are Dante Hightower, Juwan

Bentley, and rookie Josh Uche. On Friday's episode of Locked On Patriots, my guest Steve Balistrieri and I talked extensively about Juwan Bentley. I think he's ready to make that jump, and I believe he's going to be an integral part of the defense this year for the New England Patriots. I firmly believe Hightower is going to be a roster lock this year. The experience he brings, combined with the knowledge and the talent, makes him irreplaceable, especially in a year like this one.

And you all know from listening to me that Josh Uche is my favorite of all of the Patriots draft picks this year. He is an absolute roster lock. So 8 down and 45 to go here on this way too early roster prediction for your New England Patriots. We move to the outside part of the linebacking core, and the Patriots have a great deal of talent. And I believe there's a lot to be excited about when it comes to these four selections.

First is veteran John Simon, who since his arrival a couple of years ago has continued to prove how valuable he is in this Patriots defense. His versatility is the perfect complement to a second-year player who I believe may end up being one of the breakout stars of the Patriots 2020 defense, and that is Chase Winovich. Again, Steve and I discussed Winovich a little bit on Friday. This is a kid with a never-ending motor that explodes off the ball, can get after the passer, and really is very good in coverage. Last year, Bill Belichick put Chase in schemes that allowed him to exhibit his strengths. I think he takes the training wheels off this year, and I have no doubt that you're going to see that Chase is one of the more apt riders in the league. I round out this fearsome foursome with Brandon Copeland, formerly of the

New York Jets. Always liked Brandon's game, and he provides just that right amount of anchor and explosiveness that'll make him a formidable part of this linebacking core. Last but certainly not least is someone who can play the linebacker position or the edge position, and that's Anfernee Jennings, the rookie out of Alabama. Anfernee might be brought along a little bit slowly because of his injury history, but if this kid is healthy, he has the ability to be one of the more versatile and exciting players in this Patriots defense. The fact that the Patriots used a third rounder on him, along with his ability to equally set the edge and defend the run, makes him a roster lock. And so, with the line and the linebackers now covered, we move to the defensive backfield. And perhaps the most secure of all roster spots on this team

this year goes to the reigning Defensive Player of the Year for 2019, Stephon Gilmore. And I know, there are some people out there that will think that the Patriots are better off trading Gilmore. His salary is too high. They're not going to win this year anyway. Why should they keep a guy like that on the roster? Folks, for one very good reason. He's your best player.

Gilmore remains highly motivated to prove his defensive prowess. And by all accounts, he really seems to enjoy playing in New England. Now, I don't doubt that the Patriots may look to restructure Gilmore's contract, thus trying to lessen the cap hit. But as far as the rumors about him being traded or even, dare I say, released? Yeah, folks, ridiculous, I know. But the rumor is out there. Regardless, Stephon Gilmore will be a part of the New England Patriots defense,

and he just might be the best player they employ in that department. And staying on the cornerbacks, I have the Patriots employing five others in addition to Gilmore, and they are really no surprise. Who will be lining up on the other side of Stephon Gilmore starting at corner? Well, I believe it's going to be JC Jackson, but he may have company on occasion, and that will be in the form of veteran Jason McCourty. Jonathan Jones will continue to patrol the slot. I think Jawan Williams in his second year will continue to take a major step forward in this defense, and I also believe the Patriots will continue to employ cornerback Justin

Bethel. Now relax, folks. I don't envision a scenario where Justin is going to be out there covering wide receivers like Tyreek Hill. But Justin is one of the most gifted special teams players in the league. He's also not a bad corner when you need him. That type of versatility tells me the Patriots keep him around. And folks, what good is a defensive backfield without some stout safeties? And the Patriots have five of them on the rosters, at least in my estimation. The first, the captain.

I believe one of the true heart and soul players on the roster this year, and that is Devin McCourty. There are very few certainties in life, folks. I would say Devin McCourty making the 2020 Patriots roster is as close to one as you can get, and very well deserved. He's coming off of one of his statistically best years, and he's also entering a year where the Patriots are going to need his voice and his leadership more than ever. Devin isn't just one of my favorite players on this team. I truly believe he's one of the best guys in this league. So excited to see him back in New England. And even though I'm not handing out a stone-cold roster lock on defense, if I had to, folks, I'd give it to Devin McCourty. Moving down the depth chart, Patrick Chung will once again be the strong safety for the New

England Patriots this year, and I believe he will be the starter at that position for the entirety of the season, or at least the better part of it. True, Patrick is getting a little older and injury is always a concern, but he still brings that savvy, that experience that makes him invaluable in the Patriots defensive backfield. The last three names on this list are all newcomers, and I'll start with a couple of veterans. And that is Cody Davis, formerly of Jacksonville Jaguars fame, and a guy that I've sung the praises of numerous times. One of my favorite offseason acquisitions for the Patriots, safety Adrian Phillips, formerly of the Los Angeles Chargers. Now, to use a quote from the Godfather,

these two guys are likely to quote-unquote make their bones on special teams, but each of them in their own right is very talented at the safety position, primarily Adrian Phillips. He's so much more of a versatile defensive player than people give him credit for, and I would not be shocked to see him line up in the safety role more often than not this year. Davis, I believe, provides the intangibles left behind by Nate Ebner, and that's why I am not hesitant to put him on this roster. The last safety making the roster this year, folks, is the Patriots' top draft pick.

Kyle Duggar out of Lenore Rhine. And folks, the Patriots did not use a second round pick on Kyle to sit him on the bench or redshirt him. They're going to play him this year, and they're going to play him maybe a little more than people believe. Is he going to unseat Patrick Chung or even Devin McCourty in the starting roles? Absolutely not. But Kyle has the football savvy, the acumen, and the on-field skill to be an effective part of the Patriots defense this year. Because I believe Kyle was so NFL ready, I actually left Terrence Brooks off the roster this year.

And I know this one may raise a few eyebrows, especially when I've been preaching all along that I believe this year, above all else, the Patriots are need to going to have solid veterans stacked on this roster. Brooks has a year of experience in the Patriots system. Cody Davis and Adrian Phillips do not. But the roles they specifically play, I believe, allow them to be a better fit in this Patriots scheme. Brooks was a very strong contributor on special teams last year and even filled in quite nicely at corner and at safety, but that's not something Adrian Phillips can't do. It's also not something

Cody Davis can't do, and I believe that each of these guys make a more significant contribution on special teams and are a little bit better suited in the defense than a guy like Terrence Brooks. I love Terrence, I think he's a great player, he'll catch on somewhere else, and I think he'll have a pretty good season in 2020. Just that, in my opinion, I don't believe it'll be a New England. So there you have it folks, 23 down and 30 to go on the Patriots 53-man roster prediction. Have I answered all your questions and solved all your problems yet? Or do you believe I'm not a wartime consigliere?

Well, I'm taking the chance of either continuing to hold on to your support or losing it when I break down my selections for the Patriots offense in 2020 coming up in just a moment. But first, folks, even though these roster predictions are way too early to take seriously, it's never too early to take care of your ride, your wheels, your chariot, if you will. You always want to keep your automobile looking and running its best. And to help me do just that are my good friends over at rockauto.com. Whether you're a professional mechanic or a do-it-yourselfer like me, rockauto.com's prices are the same for everybody and they're reliably low. In fact, RockAuto.com is predicated on offering the lowest prices possible. Again, they're for

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On the defensive line, we have Lawrence Guy, Adam Butler, Bo Allen, Byron Cowart, and Nick Coe. At inside linebacker, we have Dante Hightower, Juwan Bentley, and Josh Uche. On the outside, John Simon, Chase Winovich, Anthony Jennings, and Brandon Copeland. And of course, in the defensive backfield, we have Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, JC Jackson, Joanne Williams, Jonathan Jones, and Justin Bethel. And rounding out our day trip of the defense, in the safety positions, we have Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Kyle Duggar, Cody Davis, and Adrian Phillips. But before we get a little offensive in our evaluation, we should mention that each and

every team in the NFL loves their share of specialists, and the Patriots have three primarily. And as I hinted at to open the show today, no surprises here. The kicker, Justin Rohrwasser. Whether you love the pick or you hate it, it seems that the Patriots are likely to roll with this kid as being the primary leg when it comes to field goals, extra points, and even some kickoffs. But he might share those kickoff duties with the punter because the other roster lock is second year player Jake Bailey. Bailey had a great rookie season in 2019 and looks to build on a strong campaign in 2020.

Rounding out the trio of specialists is Joe Cardona, the long snapper. And Joe is one of the best in the league at what he does. These three guys are solidified roster locks. And for our discussion on today's pod, that brings the total to 26 Patriots thus far. And why wait? Let's go to the obvious. And folks, I have to be honest with you. Filling out a quarterback depth chart for a 53-man roster prediction without using the words Tom Brady,

well, I'm not going to lie to you folks, it was painful. But when I wrote in the name Jarrett Stidham, I started to feel a little bit better, because I truly believe Jarrett Stidham is going to turn a head or two this year. He's not going to be Tom, but he's still going to be pretty good. And if Jarrett sputters at all this year, he has a pretty capable backup waiting in the wings, and that is old friend Brian Hoyer. Surprisingly, folks, that's it. I have the Patriots carrying two quarterbacks on the roster this year. Now again, folks, this is subject to change. Keep in mind, I haven't seen Jamar Smith

or Brian Lewerke on a Patriots practice field yet. I have seen enough film on both to let you know that both of these guys can challenge for a roster spot. If I'm being honest, I'm more impressed with Jamar Smith than I am Brian Lewerke. The reason I have neither of them cracking the 53 man at this point is simply because I believe the Patriots need to have as many roster spots available for veterans. And I think some of the younger players they have are just more explosive and more capable of making an impact this year at other positions. And I'll get to those in a minute. If in fact the Patriots could find a way to keep Jamar Smith on the practice squad, I think they'd jump at the chance. The problem is, is if he has too electric of a

training camp in a preseason, other teams may simply be chomping at the bit to sign a player of his caliber. If that happens, don't be a bit surprised to see the Patriots carry three quarterbacks. But at this stage of the game, I have to say I only see the Patriots using two roster spots, one for Jarrett Stidham and one for Brian Hoyer. Stating with a back theme, and don't worry folks, I am not going to do any Sir Mix-a-Lot rapping, that I can assure you. We stay with the fullback. And as much as I love Jakob Johnson, I think the Patriots use the primary roster spot at

the fullback position on Danny Vitale. I love this guy's versatility, his experience in the NFL, and I think he's primed for a year of heavy usage here in New England. In fact, because I like Vitale so much, I see the Patriots only keeping around three tight ends, because I can actually see Danny Vitale being the fourth de facto tight end in blocking situations. The three I see making this roster are the two rookies and one incumbent. Obviously, Devin Asiasi is a lock for the team. Patriots used high draft capital on him. He has the most upside out of anybody on this roster.

I also love Dalton Keene, and I think Keene can be their most versatile tight end in terms of blocking, H-back, fullback, and traditional tight end sets where he runs routes. Needs to improve in that department a little bit, but ultimately, I think Dalton Keene has what it takes to be a big factor in this Pats offense. The last spot goes to Matt LaCoste, and I'm cautious not to speak for my colleagues in the media, but for all of the criticism I've given Matt LaCoste, he's still a fairly good third option as a tight end in this offense. He knows the system, he can run the routes, he can throw a block, and make some decent catches. Matt Lacoste was called upon to shoulder the load last year. He essentially was called upon

to replace Rob Gronkowski. Those expectations are not fair to anyone. That's why I think Matt is a solid depth piece on the roster this year, and I see him being the third and final tight end that the Patriots carry. That likely means the end of Ryan Izzo's tenure here in New England and it could mean that a guy like Jake Burt, who I sung the praises of last week here on Locked On Patriots, might end up being a practice squad stash. I'd keep my sharp eye on Jake Burt. I like what I see from this kid and he could turn some heads if given the right situation.

I just think that for this year, he's not quite ready for prime time, but he might be with a year under his belt on the practice squad. And why not? Let's just finish off the backs on the depth chart by staying with the running backs, and I see the Patriots employing five running backs this year. I know, a little much, but when you have the talent they have at the position, I really can't see them cutting any of these guys loose, at least not right now. Of course, we start with Sweetfeet himself, James White, the most versatile running back in the Patriots' core. Whether it be running, catching the ball out of the backfield, or providing that type of emotional and spiritual leadership,

James White is a guy they absolutely need on this team. He is a near certain roster lock. I go with Sonny Michel in number two, and I don't think there's anybody that questions whether or not Sonny Michel is going to make the team. The question is, how big of a contribution is he going to make this year? Sonny may end up having to start the season on the pup list, the physically unable to perform list. If that's the case, it may open up a roster spot for one of these bubble guys to actually sneak on. Keep a sharp eye on that, folks.

But when healthy, I believe Sonny Michel is going to be a big-time contributor to this team this year, and I not only hope that he will, but I think he will provide enough contribution on this team to shut up some of those afternoon talking heads that love to say that this guy blows. And folks, I apologize for the language, but I had to get my point across. Sorry, I'm not sorry. And moving right along, so that I'll calm my nerves a little bit, folks the offensive line and I think this is one of the more intriguing positions on the 2020 Patriots roster. Of course they've lost Dante Skarnecchi at a retirement. There's going to be some growing pains but retaining coaches like Cole Popovich and Carmen Brasillo both of whom have worked with Dante and know his mannerisms should allow for some retention of consistency on this unit. It starts with the man in the middle

and that is David Andrews. And look, I've been very vocal about my concern for Andrews' health this year. I, for one, hope beyond all hope that David is healthy and is able to come in, play all 16 games into the playoffs. That's right, folks. I said playoffs. And be that type of anchor on this offensive line that the Patriots desperately need. I believe that scenario is more likely than not.

But when we're talking about the type of illness that David has had to come back from, offensive line that the Patriots desperately need. I believe that scenario is more likely than not. But when we're talking about the type of illness that David has had to come back from, combined with the fact that we're dealing with a pandemic that attacks the respiratory system, you have to be concerned. Because of that, the Patriots are going to need to retain as many veterans on this offensive line as possible. So in that vein, I believe the Patriots will retain as much continuity as possible. That's why I believe the Patriots will retain as much continuity as possible. That's why I believe the Patriots will return Isaiah Wynn at left tackle, Marcus Cannon at right tackle, Shaq Mason at right guard, and Joe Tooney at left guard. Now I'm well aware of the reports that came out on Monday morning where it said that the Patriots and Tooney are no closer to a contract extension than they were in March. Shouldn't be too much of a surprise, folks,

considering that since March, we've been battling a pandemic. In-person contract negotiations haven't exactly been as easy as they have been in the past. I'm not using that as an excuse. There are still a lot of mediums and a lot of ways the Patriots and Tooney could have come together, but I think each side is biding its time and trying to utilize their leverage as best as possible.

I still believe at the end of the day, they work out a long-term deal with Joe. He's too valuable to the future of Jarrett Stidham to trade him to a team like the Philadelphia Eagles to get pennies on the dollar. And at this stage of the game, folks, that's likely all you'll be able to get. I was really on the fence about Marcus Cannon and I thought the Patriots may cut him loose, but when I thought about the need for continuity on this offensive line, especially with the uncertain health of David Andrews and the uncertainty surrounding Joe Tooney, they need guys that know this system. They need guys that know the quarterback. And say what you will, Marcus Cannon is very effective when he's healthy and locked in. I believe he

has a spot on the roster this year. That's why I chose to retain him. Rounding out the offensive line are a couple of redshirt sophomores that came into Foxborough with a lot of pedigree last year, but we saw very little to none of them on the field. They are Yodney Kajust and the Danish sensation Yelda Frohold. And by all accounts, folks, Yodney Kajust looks to be healthy, and that is a great thing for the New England Patriots. I believe he can play a swing position on this offensive line, either at guard or at tackle. He's that versatile, and he's also that good.

I said right here last week on Locked On Patriots that a lot of draft scouts had placed as high of a first round grade on Kajust in 2019, assuming he was healthy. He wasn't. He dropped to the Patriots in the third round, and I think they were wise to pick him up. Look for him to be the fast riser on the Patriots offensive line this year. As for Frohold, he has the ability to be an anchor. I would like to see him increase his mobility a little bit. He was beat several times during the preseason by some very athletic defensive linemen. From what I hear, Frohold has been working quite hard on developing this skill and I think his knowledge in the Patriots system allows him a spot on the

O-line. The last spot on the offensive line goes to a very big acquisition. And I mean big in a lot of ways, folks. I'm talking about the massive offensive lineman from Michigan, Michael Unwenu. Unwenu, by consensus from the Patriots draft analyst this year, says that he has a chance to be the diamond in the rough among all of the Patriots draft picks. He's a phenomenal run blocker. And folks, in terms of pass protection, his wingspan is going to make it so difficult for any pass rusher to be able to make it past him without a fight. I like Onwenu in this situation,

and I think he anchors out the Patriots offensive line, who will field a solid collection of talent in 2020. And so folks, we've arrived at the final position. 45 members of the roster are set. Seven remain. And they'll be spending their time on the offensive part of the field, either on the perimeter or in the slot. That's right, folks. The last position belongs to the wideouts. And the wide receiver position, folks, continues to be one that causes the most discussion

and maybe even the most controversy. By consensus, there are two absolute stone-cold roster locks, Julian Edelman and Nakiel Harry. Of course, folks, I'm not forgetting Matthew Slater, who is included as a wide receiver, but we all know his prowess as special teams captain is where he's best utilized. He is a roster lock. He's definitely on my roster. So now we're up to three. And to be honest, I've seen an equal amount of arguments either way for the remaining four on my list. We start with the incumbents, Mohamed Sanu and Jacoby Myers. And folks, if you've been paying close attention to social media and have seen some of the workout videos that Mohamed Sanu has been posting, you'll know he looks pretty much

healed from that high ankle sprain. I believe a receiver of his talent, his experience, and his big game ability makes him a very likely holder of a roster spot this year. If you want Jarrett Stidham to be successful, you have to surround him with receivers that are not only talented, but are also savvy when it comes to the ways of the NFL. Mohamed Sanu is both, and I look for him to be a part of this roster this year. As for Myers, he never quite showed on the field in the regular season what we saw from him in the preseason. I think a lot of that had to do with Jacoby making rookie mistakes.

He had some drops, ran a few incorrect routes, and that'll earn you a pretty quick trip into the Tom Brady doghouse. We did see several times last year throughout the preseason that he and Jarrett Stidham actually had a pretty good thing going for a while. I think when training camp opens, you're going to see that once again. And Jacoby Myers has the talent, folks, to play on the outside. He can also play on the inside, and I think that versatility and knowledge of the Patriots system earns him a roster spot. So, folks, then there were two, and these two may raise some eyebrows. To start, I didn't go with Marquise Lee here, and a lot of people may be surprised at that, considering the experience and the prowess he brings to the field. I like Marquise Lee here, and a lot of people may be surprised at that, considering the experience and the prowess he brings to the field.

I like Marquise Lee's game, and I do believe that he's healthy enough to contribute to a team this year. But I think the Patriots use these final two roster spots on two very young, very valuable receivers that I don't believe would make it through waivers for the Patriots to stash on the practice squad. They are wide receiver Will Hastings out of Auburn, and wide receiver Jeff Thomas out of the University of Miami. Each brings a unique skill set. Hastings, I think, makes the team because he simply has all of the intangibles to be the next great Patriots slot wide receiver. He's smart, runs his routes well, is capable of lining up on the outside in a pinch, but is so valuable on the interior. He also happens to have a pretty good relationship with the Patriots' current signal caller,

Jarrett Stidham. Don't roll your eyes, folks. It counts for a lot, and I think you're going to see quite the connection when these two take the practice field and the preseason field in Foxborough. I round my roster out with Thomas, and I know there have been some behavioral problems. I don't really think I'm going out on a limb here by saying that if Thomas did not exhibit some of these difficulties, he would have definitely been chosen, and I believe chosen in the middle part of this draft. So many I've talked to have compared him to a young Antonio Brown,

and without bringing off the field issues into this, folks, on the field, that's a pretty good comparison. He breaks well, he's got tremendous blazing speed, and very reliable hands. The Patriots absolutely love wide receivers like this. They brought in Antonio Brown for a reason last year, folks. It's not because they were looking for a rehabilitation project. It's because they believe that the combination of he and Tom Brady would be absolutely lethal in this offense. We may never know how great those two might have been together.

I will say this. From what we saw in just one game, it was enough for Patriots fans to clamor for his return almost all season long last year. So because of that, I have Jeff Thomas eking out a spot on this roster even over a savvy veteran like Marquise Lee. So there you have it, Patriots fans, my look at what the 2020 New England Patriots roster might look like when the team finally takes the field for regular season action in September. Did I make you proud, or did I massacre your mind? Either way, I would love to hear your thoughts, not just on my roster selection, but your

roster selections. Who do you believe are some of the dark horse candidates to make the roster this year? I'll tell you what, folks, send in your feedback, and I'll share some of that all throughout the week here on Locked On Patriots. I might even share some of your thoughts with some very special guests that we have lined up throughout the week. So to ensure you don't miss a single episode of Locked On Patriots, please be sure to follow us on Spotify, subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, and don't forget, you can always listen to

Locked On Patriots right on your very own smart device. Just simply ask it to play the latest episode of Locked On Patriots right on your very own smart device. Just simply ask it to play the latest episode of Locked On Patriots. And if you've enjoyed today's episode, now tell your smart device to play the most recent episode of Locked On NFL. Once again, I'm Mike DeBate. I thank you all so much for listening today and for staying locked into Locked On Patriots. Stay safe, stay well, be the change you wish to see in the world,

and have a great day, everyone.