College basketball fans are very familiar with the scrutiny that comes every February into March around which teams are in and which teams are out of March Madness. The six weeks between the Super Bowl and the start of the NCAA Tournament are filled with endless articles fitting teams in boxes. Who’s in, who’s not, and who’s squarely on the bubble?

With one preseason game to play and less than a week until rosters are finalized, I’ll be adapting that format for each position on the New England Patriots’ roster. The four categories are as follows:

• Lock: these players are making the final roster no matter what, barring injury or off-field issues.
• Should be in: these players would probably make the roster if cuts had to happen today, but they can still be displaced.
• Work tob these players have a real chance to make the roster, but they may need a strong performance in the final preseason game to get over the hump.
• Outside looking in: these players do not have a clear path to making the roster.

Players who are currently injured will be treated as healthy for this exercise.

Let’s get started!

Quarterback

• Lock: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton III
• Should be in: —
• Work to do: —
• Outside looking in: Bailey Zappe

The Patriots signed Jacoby Brissett to be a veteran mentor and starter this offseason, and he has been the top quarterback since re-joining the team that drafted him. Drake Maye was taken with the No. 3 overall pick. Both players are safe, as is sixth-round pick Joe Milton based on his performance this preseason.

Bailey Zappe is on the outside looking in. Jerod Mayo asserting confidence in Drake Maye to lead the huddle right now may have been the final nail in the coffin for Zappe’s role as a second veteran to play if Maye wasn’t ready.

Running back

• Lock: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson
• Should be in: Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty
• Work to do: Terrell Jennings
• Outside looking in: Deshaun Fenwick

Rhamondre Stevenson is clearly this team’s lead back, with Antonio Gibson complementing him on passing downs.

Behind them, Kevin Harris and JaMycal Hasty are the top backups in early and passing downs, respectively. Harris has looked solid this preseason, while Hasty separated from the pack as a receiving back with a long screen reception against Philadelphia. Both players have a role on special teams as well, which helps their case.

Terrell Jennings has also had a strong preseason, and it would not be a shock to see him displace one of the two names above if he outplays them on Sunday. He has good footwork for a back his size.

Deshaun Fenwick was already cut once this preseason, and he didn’t see the field once after returning to the team last week against the Eagles.

Wide receiver

• Lock: Kendrick Bourne (PUP), DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker
• Should be in: Jalen Reagor
• Work to do: Kayshon Boutte
• Outside looking in: Kawaan Baker, David Wallis, Matt Landers

K.J. Osborn and Kendrick Bourne, who remains on the physically unable to perform list as of Friday, are the two established veterans in New England’s wide receiver group. Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker are locks given their draft position. DeMario Douglas emerged as one of the team’s top options against man coverage last season. Tyquan Thornton has been the team’s top outside receiver since the opening day of camp.

Jalen Reagor has spent time with the starting offense all camp, catching a contested pass from Jacoby Brissett in the red zone against Philadelphia. He’s valuable for his speed as a backup to Tyquan Thornton and in the kicking game.

Kayshon Boutte has been the team’s leading receiver in preseason games, but that has primarily come with the second and third units. He will need to keep that up to prove he is deserving of a roster spot, but his lack of contributions on special teams hurt his chances.

Kawaan Baker and David Wallis have worked exclusively with the depth lineups for New England in camp, and Matt Landers is a late addition to the team who is fighting for a spot on the practice squad.

Tight end

• Lock: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper
• Should be in: —
• Work to do: Mitchell Wilcox, Jaheim Bell
• Outside looking in: La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren

Hunter Henry will look to continue his role as New England’s most consistent offensive weapon in 2024, and Austin Hooper brings veteran experience behind him.

Sorting out the battle for the third tight end spot is tough to sort out at this juncture, with both Mitchell Wilcox and Jaheim Bell likely needing to do more to feel good about making the roster. Wilcox is the better blocker, better special teams contributor, and more established veteran capable of backing up Henry and Hooper, both of whom are currently injured. Bell is still a work in progress, but he is a versatile athlete who has potential to affect the game in many ways.

La’Michael Pettway and Jacob Warren have both been depth players throughout camp, and neither has stood out thus far.

Offensive line

• Lock: Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Michael Onwenu, Chukwuma Okorafor, Caedan Wallace, Nick Leverett, Layden Robinson, Cole Strange (PUP)
• Should be in: —
• Work to do: Calvin Anderson, Michael Jordan, Atonio Mafi
• Outside looking in: Kellen Diesch, Liam Fornadel, Charles Turner III, Zuri Henry

New England’s top offensive line for most of camp has been, from left to right, Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Michael Onwenu, and Chukwuma Okorafor. Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson, and Nick Leverett have been the top backups at tackle, guard, and center, respectively. Cole Strange was a starter last season, and he would assume at least a backup role if healthy and playing at that level.

Calvin Anderson, Michael Jordan, and Atonio Mafi all have opportunities to make the roster on an offensive line still looking for depth, but each player would need to have a standout performance on Sunday at Washington. Calvin Anderson has been limited in practice, which is a situation to monitor.

Kelle Diesch, Liam Fornadel, Charles Turner, and Zuri Henry have been at the bottom of the depth chart throughout camp.

Defensive line

• Lock: Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise Jr., Keion White
• Should be in: Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
• Work to do: Trysten Hill, Sam Roberts, Armon Watts
• Outside looking in: William Bradley-King, Jotham Russell (roster exemption), Josiah Bronson

Christian Barmore is the centerpiece of this unit, and he is a lock to be on the roster when and if he returns from dealing with blood clots. Davon Godchaux is the run-stuffer in the middle of the line who received an extension earlier in camp. Deatrich Wise has steadily improved into a quality defender on the edge, and Keion White is looking to break out in his second season.

Daniel Ekuale and Jeremiah Pharms are incredibly close to being locks. Ekuale has been Barmore’s primary replacement as an interior pass rusher, and Pharms has emerged as a well-rounded defensive tackle.

Trysten Hill, Sam Roberts, and Armon Watts are fighting for what is likely to be either one or two spots behind Godchaux, Ekuale, and Pharms on the inside. Hill is a former second-round pick who has been in the organization since last October, and he brings upside as a pass rusher. Roberts was a sixth-round pick in 2022 who could be an asset against the run. Watts was signed in free agency who had a strong season against the run with Pittsburgh last season.

Edge rusher William Bradley-King, rugby-player-turned-defensive-end Jotham Russell, and defensive tackle Josiah Bronson have not shown enough in the preseason to deserve serious roster consideration at this point. Russell, a member of the International Player Pathway Program, is the most interesting option here to stick around on the practice squad.

Defensive edge

• Lock: Joshua Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Oshane Ximines
• Should be in: —
• Work to do: —
• Outside looking in: Kobe Jones, Christian McCarroll

With Matt Judon sent to Atlanta, Joshua Uche is in position for a much bigger role as the team’s top edge rusher. Anfernee Jennings will look to build off an elite season as a run defender last year. Oshane Ximines has been a top performer in camp, and he is poised to be a top backup off the edge and a core special teamer.

Kobe Jones and Christian McCarroll are late additions looking to make an impression and get a spot on the practice squad.

Linebacker

• Lock: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Raekwon McMillan, Sione Takitaki (PUP)
• Should be in: —
• Work to do: Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris
• Outside looking in: Steele Chambers

Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai will reprise their role as one of the top linebacker pairings in the league this season. Raekwon McMillan has been with the team since 2021 but has missed two of his three seasons in that span due to injury. He has been physical this preseason, and he will be one of the top backups and core special teamers this season. Free agent addition Sione Takitaki will help round out this group when healthy.

Christian Elliss and Joe Giles-Harris are in one of the tightest roster battles this season. Both linebackers have made plays with New England’s second unit, but I give Elliss the slight advantage at this point. Whoever plays better Sunday night could get what may be the last roster spot.

Steele Chambers hasn’t stood out in a negative way, but he has gotten limited opportunities in camp.

Cornerback

• Lock: Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones
• Should be in: —
• Work to do: Marco Wilson, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Shaun Wade, Marcellas Dial Jr.
• Outside looking in: Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor

The team’s starters at cornerback are clear. Last year’s first-round pick Christian Gonzalez is expected to have a breakout season, with veteran Jonathan Jones and third-year man Marcus Jones to start alongside him.

Behind those three, the depth chart is muddled. New England added Marco Wilson and Alex Austin last season, and both have gotten playing time and looked good in the preseason. Isaiah Bolden is right behind them as a member of the 2023 draft class. Shaun Wade has been with the team since 2021 and gave the team solid performance as a depth player last year. Marcellas Dial was selected in the sixth round this year, but he struggled against Philadelphia. At least two of these four players will make the roster, and their performances Sunday night could be the determining factor.

Azizi Hearn has played well in camp, but there are too many players above him on the depth chart for him to have a real chance at anything but the practice squad. Mikey Victor has also flashed, but he too is in a tough spot due to the team’s depth.

Safety

• Lock: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marte Mapu, Brenden Schooler
• Should be in: Dell Pettus
• Work to do: Joshuah Bledsoe
• Outside looking in: A.J. Thomas

Like at inside linebacker, New England returns a top pairing at safety. Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers will be the playmakers on the back end of this defense. Free agent addition Jaylinn Hawkins will play the Duron Harmon role as the team’s third safety who can play the middle of the field and allow Dugger and Peppers to play near the ball. Second-year player Marte Mapu has not practiced since the first day of training camp and is “week-to-week” according to Jerod Mayo. Still, his draft status should get him a spot on the roster when he returns. Brenden Schooler is a special teams ace who has also gotten opportunities with the defense in camp.

Undrafted rookie Dell Pettus has been the team’s best performer among the undrafted players. He hasn’t missed a tackle in either preseason game, and he is one more performance like that away from taking Marte Mapu’s spot until he returns.

Joshuah Bledsoe was drafted in 2021 and is a smart player on the back end. He hasn’t played poorly, but Pettus’s youth pushes Bledsoe down the depth chart.

A.J. Thomas has played well in limited opportunities, but he is just a practice squad candidate at this point.

Specialists

• Lock: P Bryce Baringer, LS Joe Cardona
• Should be in: K Joey Slye
• Work to do: K Chad Ryland
• Outside looking in: LS Tucker Addington

Bryce Baringer showed out with an awesome coffin corner punt last week, which he was wearing a microphone for. Joe Cardona will once again be the team’s top snapper.

Joey Slye has taken the lead in the kicking competition by a hair in camp, and he hasn’t missed a kick in the preseason games. His willingness to step up and defend on kickoffs doesn’t hurt him, either.

Chad Ryland looks much better than he did last season, but not quite good enough to be ahead in this battle right now. If he can’t pry the job away from Slye on Sunday night, he should ideally land on the practice squad where he can continue to grow.

Tucker Addington was brought in as camp depth when Cardona was dealing with an injury, but he isn’t taking that job.

Adding up the “locks,” there are 44 roster spots guaranteed right now with five of them — Cole Strange, Kendrick Bourne, Christian Barmore, Sione Takitaki, and Marte Mapu – dealing with medical issues that could prevent them from being on the initial 53-man roster.

That means between nine and fourteen spots are up for grabs when the Patriots take the field in Landover this Sunday night.