New England Patriots roster hits 53; Danny Aiken, Josh Boyce, Jake Bequette cut
The New England Patriots have something of a roster. It’s a rough, working draft, but it’s a pretty good one.
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There were rumors that the Pats might trade Ryan Mallett and Stevan Ridley. The veterans are safe — for now.
Mallett will continue to jockey with Jimmy Garoppolo for the second-string job — but it seems that will only be in a nominal sense. Garoppolo has the job in his pocket. The Patriots are only entertaining the competition so that Mallett will be more marketable for a trade.
If Ridley holds onto the football, he won’t get cut. If he fumbles, his roster security could quickly fade.
Josh Boyce was one of the initial cuts. There simply wasn’t enough room for the former fourth-round pick. More analysis on that move can be found here.
The Patriots decision to cut Aiken may have been in hopes that he clears waivers. If he does, then perhaps they will re-sign him for less money. If he doesn’t, the Patriots starting long snapper is Rob Ninkovich. There’s always the possibility that the re-sign rookie Tyler Ott or revisit Charlie Highlett.
Jake Bequette was a former third-round pick that never showed any real potential. They had been nursing him along, hoping that he might emerge, but that time never came.
Steve Beuharnais was a standout player in practices last year, but this year he looked a little slow in preseason. The Patriots must not have seen enough the linebacker from his first to his second year.
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