The 5 O’Clock Club: First 53-man squad projection for late June (2024)

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Here’s a look at the full 91-man roster for the offseason

Here is my prediction for the 53-man roster for week one

Remarks:

This was more difficult for me than last year because it is difficult to assess the commitment of the new management and coaching staff to previous decisions.

• Phil Mathis, for example, has accomplished nothing in his two-year career, but the organization spent a second-round pick on him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets traded in late August, but I ultimately ranked him under 53.
• I put Javontae Jean-Baptiste, drafted by Adams & Quinn, on the practice squad and KJ Henry, drafted by Rivera, at the 53. If DQ & AP prioritize their own draft picks, it’s obviously more likely that JJ-B makes it to the 53. If Jamin Davis lines up as a pass rusher often enough, it’s possible they’ll only keep 4 true DEs, but I don’t really expect that to happen.
• In the end, I decided on just 4 linebackers and 11 DBs. I expect we’ll get some 2-LB/3-Safety appearances. I also expect Wagner & Luvu to be on the field for almost every defensive snap. If Davis plays DE more often than I expect, they may want to keep another LB; I suspect that would be Pittman.
• I’m confident about the top four wide receivers, but I think at least one of the remaining WR spots will be decided by the ability of the punt/kickoff returner (which could impact RB/CB as well). I’m betting Jamison Crowder won’t keep the punt return job – he just wasn’t that good last year – and will use a younger player instead, but I think we’ll have to watch the preseason games before we really know who the returners will be. I’m very uncertain about who the 5th and 6th receivers will be.
• I wanted to keep Cole Turner on the 53-man roster, but I don’t think the team will keep 5 TEs and I went with Armani Rogers. Training camp and preseason could completely change my mind on the TE room.
• As for the OL, I’m not very confident that Deiter and Paul will make the 53-man roster, but I’m not very confident that anyone else could beat them either.
• I defaulted to Ramiz Ahmed as the kicker since he’s the only one on the roster, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a change at that position before the Week 1 game against Tampa Bay. Many teams with 2 kickers will cut one in late August.