The New England Patriots are now done with most of training camp and two thirds of the way through the preseason. Cutdown day on August 27 is rapidly approaching.

This week’s projection sees a few shakeups from last week, with the most notable being the team cutting down below the roster maximum to preserve flexibility. With plenty of young talent, the Patriots can easily create an extra spot or two to claim a veteran waived by another team by placing players on the practice squad.

Welcome to our latest 53-man roster projection, this time with 52 players.

Quarterback (3)

In: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye (R), Joe Milton III (R)

Out: Bailey Zappe

Drake Maye was the star of the show on Thursday night, with head coach Jerod Mayo leaving the door open for the rookie to start Week 1. While Maye scored his first touchdown against Philadelphia, it was a dropped pass that captured our imaginations. His deep shot to Javon Baker, delivered with timing and accuracy, was just the glimpse we needed to see to show that Maye can be an elite-level quarterback.

Running back (4)

In: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty

Out: Terrell Jennings (R), Deshaun Fenwick (R)

JaMycal Hasty separated himself from the pack of running backs behind Stevenson and Gibson on Thursday. His 23-yard reception on a screen pass was the longest play of the day for the Patriots, and his shiftiness to fake a blitz pickup and then find space showcased how he can be an ideal backup for Antonio Gibson. Hasty is also a starter on special teams, which helps his case here.

Wide receiver (6)

In: DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton, Ja’Lynn Polk (R), Javon Baker (R), Jalen Reagor

Out: Kayshon Boutte, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis, JaQuae Jackson

PUP: Kendrick Bourne

This section sees two changes since last week. The first is for Kendrick Bourne to begin the season on the PUP list. With no updates on his status and rosters due in less than two weeks, I’m taking the conservative approach now and assuming he won’t be ready.

The second is to swap out Kayshon Boutte for Jalen Reagor. Reagor offers two things Boutte doesn’t: speed and return ability. He played with the top unit, swapping out with Tyquan Thornton, and made an impressive tightly contested catch from Brissett in the red zone. He also returned a kick for 32 yards with the starting kickoff group.

Boutte has been the team’s leading receiver in the preseason, but that has come against 2nd- and 3rd-stringers. The team should not have an issue getting him to the practice squad to keep him around.

Tight end (3)

In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell (R)

Out: Mitchell Wilcox, La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren (R)

Jaheim Bell moved up the depth chart, playing before La’Michael Pettway and Jacob Warren on Thursday night. He had some questionable moments, like when he got destroyed at the point of attack on a run in the third quarter, but his athleticism makes him worth keeping around regardless. He can give you something at the position that Mitchell Wilcox cannot.

Offensive line (8)

In: Chukwuma Okorafor, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Michael Onwenu, Nick Leverett, Caedan Wallace (R), Layden Robinson (R), Vederian Lowe

Out: Calvin Anderson, Zuri Henry (R), Michael Jordan, Atonio Mafi, Charles Turner III (R), Liam Fornadel (R), Kellen Diesch

PUP: Cole Strange

IR: Jake Andrews, Tyrone Wheatley Jr.

Keeping just eight offensive linemen is a bit on the light side, but it is hard to make an argument for anyone off the roster here based on their performance this preseason. Calvin Anderson was on the roster in my last projection, but he struggled all week and didn’t play until late against Philadelphia.

Don’t be surprised if the Patriots cut to these eight players and then scour the waiver wire for an extra body at tackle. And, with the issues the team has had snapping the ball, it would not be a shock to see them add another center to the active roster or practice squad.

Defensive line (6)

In: Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise Jr., Keion White, Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Mike Purcell

Out: Sam Roberts, Armon Watts, William Bradley-King, Trysten Hill, Jotham Russell, Josiah Bronson

IR: Christian Barmore

No changes here since last week. Godchaux and Purcell are the team’s top two nose tackles, while Ekuale and Pharms have done well in the 3-technique role. Pharms in particular is putting himself in position to start Week 1 with his performance in camp and with Barmore out. Wise and White are the 5-technique defensive ends, and both should make an impact this year.

Roberts, Watts, and Hill are the names to watch for the practice squad here.

Linebacker (7)

In: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings, Joshua Uche, Raekwon McMillan, Oshane Ximines, Christian Elliss

Out: Joe Giles-Harris, Steele Chambers (R)

PUP: Sione Takitaki

Linebacker continues to be a position of strength for New England even with Matthew Judon traded away to Atlanta earlier this week. The pairing of Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai at middle linebacker is one of the best in the league. Anfernee Jennings was the fifth-best run defending edge defender in the NFL last season, per PFF. Joshua Uche was in the top ten in PFF’s pass-rushing grade in 2022.

New England’s depth has also shown on the field. Raekwon McMillan was cracking skulls against the Eagles and looked ready to make an impact on game day. Oshane Ximines has a sack in each preseason game with enough size to help against the run.

Both of Christian Elliss and Joe Giles-Harris have made plays on defense and special teams. Elliss gets the nod here by a small margin, but I would like to see both players stay around the building if possible.

Cornerback (7)

In: Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Shaun Wade, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marco Wilson

Out: Marcellas Dial Jr. (R), Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor (R)

Linebacker isn’t the only position on New England’s roster with depth. Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, and Marco Wilson all made plays against Philadelphia in a tight roster battle. I have the Patriots keeping all three in addition to projected starters Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, and Marcus Jones. Shaun Wade has also had good moments in camp and last week against the Panthers, so he sticks around.

Marcellas Dial Jr. had a rough night on Thursday, but he was solid in the joint practice on Tuesday. He has enough talent to warrant bringing back on the practice squad.

Safety (5)

In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marte Mapu, Brenden Schooler

Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, Dell Pettus (R), A.J. Thomas

This group remains the same as it did last week, but Marte Mapu’s absence combined with Dell Pettus getting opportunities in camp makes this more up in the air than it was seven days ago. As they say, you can’t make the club from the tub.

Special teams (3)

In: Joey Slye, Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona

Out: Chad Ryland, Tucker Addington

Slye takes a narrow lead over Ryland here, but all Patriots fans are the real winners here. Both kickers have looked solid, and the team is in a better spot at the position than it was at the end of last season. Slye making the roster with Ryland on the practice squad makes a ton of sense to keep some depth and allow the kicking battle to continue into the season.