Offensive youth movement in focus – NBC Sports Boston

FOXBORO – It's that time again. With another preseason game in the books, we look at how the Patriots' squad could see if their number needs to be reduced to 53 active players.

Quarterback (3): Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton

Nothing has changed here from our last prediction. Perhaps the Patriots would consider Bailey Zappe as a practice squad addition if he comes off the waivers list. To his credit, he was ready to play on Thursday after missing a single competitive game in Tuesday's joint session with the Eagles.

Running back (4): Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty

This team values ​​tenacious runners. They have that in Harris, who has been the No. 3 prospect for this team all summer. Hasty has also shown some value as a runner and receiver and did enough on Thursday to merit consideration here.

Wide Receivers (6): Ja'Lynn Polk, DeMario Douglas, Javon Baker, KJ Osborn, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton

Depending on the day, we could have either Thornton or Kayshon Boutte at sixth, but this time it's Thornton who will continue to be the starter in practice and games.

He started the Eagles game with Osborn and Douglas and his speed could earn him a spot on the roster despite battling a soft tissue injury recently.

Tight End (3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell

Here, the grouping is pretty clear. Henry missed Thursday's game, but his absence isn't expected to be long-term. Even if he's not fully healthy in Week 1, he probably won't be so banged up that he won't make the initial active roster.

Offensive Line (8): Chukwuma Okorafor, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson, Nick Leverett

In the end, it could be more about roles than roster spots. Will Lowe – who had a rough night on Thursday – continue to be the starter heading into Week 1? Will the Patriots use Onwenu as a tackle and allow Layden Robinson to get some first-team action alongside Andrews? The situation is still uncertain here.

Specialists (3): Joey Slye, Joe Cardona, Bryce Baringer

Nice job by Slye against the Eagles, converting both field goals, including a 51-yard kick in the second quarter. He has the edge over Chad Ryland as a kicker this week.

Defensive line (7): Deatrich Wise, Armon Watts, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms, Mike Purcell, Trysten Hill

For a defense focused on stopping early offensive runs, it makes sense to bring in half a dozen big players to address these issues and allow them to rotate and stay fresh.

Purcell, 33, is a seasoned veteran with the build to hold his own and take blocks as a sort of backup to Godchaux on the nose. Hill could step in as an inside forward with some explosiveness off the ball while Christian Barmore deals with his blood clot diagnosis.

Linebackers (9): Anfernee Jennings, Keion White, Oshane Ximines, Jahlani Tavai, Josh Uche, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Christian Elliss, Raekwon McMillan, Joe Giles-Harris

Josh Uche played late into Thursday's game, which may have been a reflection of the scuffle he was involved in during training on Tuesday. Mayo said before that joint training session that any established players who argued would have to complete the entire exhibition training session and that any substitutes who argued would not play at all.

Joe Giles-Harris gets his hands on too many balls in practice to stop here, and he has impressed linebacker coach Dont'a Hightower with his instincts in coverage.

Cornerback (6): Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Marco Wilson, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden

There is a bit of a jockeying going on at the bottom of this list for the Patriots. Wilson? Austin? Bolden? Marcellas Dial? Shaun Wade? Who deserves a spot?

We're keeping Wilson and Austin on the list because they got a lot of exposure to top defenders in training camp this summer, and we're also including Bolden, whose value on special teams – he took a wicked hit on a kickoff on Thursday – stands out.

Dial had a rough night in coverage on Thursday and could be a candidate for the practice squad if he makes it through the waiver claim.

Safety (4): Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler

Since we haven't seen Marte Mapu up to this point in the summer, we'll leave him out for now, although it's safe to assume he'll be in the squad when he returns to action. Until then, this remains an experienced and physical group, led by the hard-hitting duo of Peppers and Dugger.