{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"QUARTERBACK (3)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/newton_cam_AP_20234574445238.jpg","credit":"AP photo","published":1598125066,"caption":"

Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer

At one point in time, it might’ve made sense for the Patriots to get by with two quarterbacks on their active roster. But with Jarrett Stidham dealing with an injury early in camp and Cam Newton coming off foot and shoulder issues, might be wise to keep Brian Hoyer as insurance.

"},{"title":"RUNNING BACK (4)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/taylor_jj_AP_20232557435328.jpg","credit":"AP photo","published":1598125204,"caption":"

James White, Rex Burkhead, Damien Harris, JJ Taylor

The streak is alive. For the 17th consecutive season, the Patriots will have an undrafted rookie make the roster. This year? It’s JJ Taylor, who running backs coach Ivan Fears compared to Dion Lewis. Sony Michel and Lamar Miller remain on PUP.

"},{"title":"WIDE RECEIVER (6)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/olszewski_gunner_AP_20233678357273.jpg","credit":"AP photo","published":1598125226,"caption":"

Julian Edelman, N'Keal Harry, Damiere Byrd, Gunner Olszewski, Mohamed Sanu, Matthew Slater

N’Keal Harry has missed three of the last five Patriots practices, and in his absence Damiere Byrd has done well with added reps. Mohamed Sanu has been quiet, but his experience could beneficial after a shortened offseason. Gunner Olszewski has impressed as one of the team’s quickest pass-catchers, plus he’ll provide value as a punt returner.

“Gunner’s improved tremendously,” Bill Belichick said this week. “Again, both physically and from a football standpoint. He’s a smart kid, he works extremely hard. He’s tough, he’s very, very competitive. He needs to learn how to do a lot of different things for us and he continues to work on things that will expand his opportunities. So it’ll be interesting to watch him take advantage, or try to take advantage of those opportunities, and watch him play and see how all of that’s coming together.

"His overall background, knowledge, understanding, being a professional athlete, training, some of his fundamental athletic skills – he’s refined those quite a bit and he’s much, much, much further ahead from where he was last year.”

"},{"title":"TIGHT END (4)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/asiasi_devin_ap.jpg","credit":"AP photo","published":1598125268,"caption":"

Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene, Ryan Izzo, Jakob Johnson

Rookie tight ends Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene have looked smooth catching the football, but keeping a veteran like Ryan Izzo — who has made a couple of impressive catches this summer — would make sense.

"},{"title":"OFFENSIVE LINE (8)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Eluemunor_jermaine_%20AP_19273080671416.jpg","credit":"AP photo","published":1598125303,"caption":"

Isaiah Wynn, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Jermaine Eluemunor, Hjalte Froholdt, Korey Cunningham, Justin Herron

Jermaine Eluemunor looks like he has the edge in the battle for right tackle, but rookie Justin Herron has also impressed at times. If Yodny Cajuste can’t stay on the field (two missed workouts this week) Herron could be a swing guard-or-tackle option behind Korey Cunningham and Hjalte Froholdt. Froholdt looks like the best interior backup in the group.

"},{"title":"SPECIALISTS (3)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/rohrwasser_justin_ap.jpg","credit":"AP photo","published":1598125322,"caption":"

Justin Rohrwasser, Jake Bailey, Joe Cardona

Justin Rohrwasser kicked in front of reporters just once this week, going 3-for-5 from about 40 yards away. He spent a chunk of Friday’s glorified walkthrough on a stationary bike.

"},{"title":"DEFENSIVE LINE (5)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Allen_Beau_USATSI_13105743.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1598125372,"caption":"

Lawrence Guy, Adam Butler, Deatrich Wise, Beau Allen, Byron Cowart

Beau Allen hasn’t been spotted yet at practice, which means the Patriots could be in the market for a big-bodied run-stuffing lineman. But in this scenario, we have Allen starting the season as Danny Shelton’s fill-in.

"},{"title":"OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (4)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/winovich_chase_AP_19364763493355.jpg","credit":"AP photo","published":1598125421,"caption":"

John Simon, Chase Winovich, Shilique Calhoun, Brandon Copeland

Both Shilique Calhoun and Brandon Copeland should be key contributors in the kicking game. Chase Winovich — a sub rusher last season —could end up seeing an uptick in snaps this season with Kyle Van Noy now in Miami.

"},{"title":"INSIDE LINEBACKER (4)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/bentley_jawhaun_AP_20231632835793.jpg","credit":"AP photo","published":1598125455,"caption":"

Ja'Whaun Bentley, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Cassh Maluia

Anfernee Jennings and Josh Iche could play either outside or inside linebacker, but we’ll stick them in Jerod Mayo’s position group for this exercise.

Another rookie, Cassh Maluia, has stood out early in camp for his hands (pick of Cam Newton) and his aggressiveness (goal-line stop, tackling Jakob Johnson).

"},{"title":"CORNERBACK (7)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Gilmore_S_USATSI_13739035.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1598125482,"caption":"

Stephon Gilmore, J.C Jackson, Jason McCourty, Jonathan Jones, Joejuan Williams, Justin Bethel, Michael Jackson

Perhaps the best position group on the roster, it’d be impressive to see newcomer Michael Jackson carve himself a roster spot here. He was in Sanu’s hip pocket during a one-on-one period this week that indicated his size and man coverage ability might be worth keeping around come September.

"},{"title":"SAFETY (5)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/davis_cody_AP_19349858629304.jpg","credit":"AP photo","published":1598125521,"caption":"

Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger, Terrence Brooks, Cody Davis

Cody Davis has stood out for his work in the kicking game, and not just to reporters watching him in practice. Matthew Slater sang the vet’s praises earlier this week.

“The thing about Cody that really jumps out is, for a guy his size, how well he runs,” Slater said. “Cody can really go. And now being around him in a football setting -- I got a chance to meet him off the football field -- but being around him in a football setting, he's got a very high football IQ, especially in the kicking game.”

"}]}

Patriots 53-man roster projection after first week of practices