The New England Patriots have their initial roster for the 2021 NFL season, and while they have 53 players on the roster at this moment, the team is likely to make additional moves, whether claiming players off waivers or signing guys in free agency. That’s inevitable because Bill Belichick is sure to stash a few players on injured reserve with the designation to return. (Players placed on IR before the 53-man deadline cannot return. Players placed on IR after the deadline can return after missing three games.)
But this depth chart is what we have to analyze — for now. Let’s take a look at the decisions Belichick and the Patriots made to get down to 53.