FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – As the New England Patriots trimmed their roster down to 53 players ahead of Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline, it became clear that the depth of this team is demonstrated as much by players who failed to make the cut as it is by the players who did make it.
Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who had two touchdowns and dazzled in the final preseason game? Cut. Veteran backup quarterback Brian Hoyer, whose insight on the Rams offense helped the Patriots hold Los Angeles to three points in the Super Bowl? Cut. Duke Dawson, a second-round pick in 2018, who has yet to even play in a regular-season game? Traded to Denver for a sixth-round pick. Keion Crossen, the second-year defensive back who had played well on special teams and was instrumental in a successful double team of Tyreek Hill in last year’s AFC Championship? Traded to Houston for a sixth-round pick.
In previous seasons, the Patriots might have had no choice but to keep a veteran receiver like Thomas as he worked his way back from an Achilles tendon injury. Or they might have been able to squeeze a third quarterback on the roster to keep Hoyer. They certainly would have had the room to give Dawson, who missed most of 2018 with a hamstring injury, a chance to develop into the player they thought he could be when they traded up to take him 56th overall just 16 months ago. Certainly, in most seasons, they would have a spot for a sound special teams contributor who played a key role in a huge game.
This is not like most seasons. The 2019 Patriots are stuffed with talent, forcing the team to make some difficult cuts.
“You take all of the things into consideration that you possibly can and just try to make the best decisions for your team,” Bill Belichick said on Friday. “There’s a lot of considerations long term, short term, depth, the next game, games later in the year, next year. You just try to do the best you can to balance it out.”
Certainly, there are a few soft spots. The no-name tight end group (Ryan Izzo, Matt LaCosse) does not project to give much production in the passing game. The offensive line also has some question marks. Left tackle Isaiah Wynn has never played in the regular season. Newly minted starting center Alex Karras has been pressed into duty with David Andrews out for the season as he recovers from blood clots in his lungs.
Even in these areas, the Patriots have some depth. Tight end Ben Watson returns from a suspension in Week 5. The Pats also acquired three veteran linemen this week, with tackle Korey Cunningham coming from Arizona, interior lineman Jermaine Eluemunor from Baltimore and center Russell Bodine from Buffalo.
The wide receiver group, once considered to be a certain weakness, has evolved into a promising collection of targets for Tom Brady. Rookie N’Keal Harry is still working his way back from a hamstring injury, but with Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Phillip Dorsett and camp standout Jakobi Meyers, the Patriots saw all of their offseason moves pay off and were able to cut Thomas, saving themselves $3 million.
And that leaves a defense that does not, on paper, have many holes. The secondary developed into one of the best in the league last season and has since added rookie second-rounder Joejuan Williams. The front seven has also gained strength with veteran lineman Michael Bennett replacing free agent Trey Flowers. Third-round pick Chase Winovich and fifth-rounder Byron Cowart played well in training camp. An already strong linebacker group brings Jamie Collins back into the fold, and there is reason to believe this is the most promising defense the Patriots have fielded since the 2014 group, which won Super Bowl XLIX.
And because we are dealing with the Patriots, who do not miss a trick, the team very well could bring back some of the talent that got away. Defensive lineman Shilique Calhoun, who made the roster, suffered an ankle injury early in the preseason. It’s possible Calhoun could be placed on injured reserve tomorrow. If that happens, he would be eligible to return later in the season, and the Patriots would have an extra roster spot to fill, perhaps allowing for the return of Thomas or Hoyer.
(Dave Brown is a freelance correspondent who covers the Patriots for the Monitor. You can follow him on Twitter @ThatDaveBrown.)