New England Patriots

Patriots cuts prediction: These 7 bubble players will be released today

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Aug 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Tyler Gaffney (36) runs the ball against Chicago Bears cornerback Jacoby Glenn (39) in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

As we near decision time for New England Patriots cuts, here are nine roster bubble players that will find themselves on the outside looking in.

These are going to be tough Patriots cuts, but they will have to happen. That’s just the way of things:

7. Tyler Gaffney

With LeGarrette Blount, James White, James Develin and Brandon Bolden all locks to make the final roster, it’s down to Gaffney and D.J. Foster. The latter will earn the fifth running back job, making Gaffney a casualty of Patriots cuts.

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6. Keshawn Martin

As a result of Aaron Dobson making the team, Martin will be squeezed out of a roster spot. This is an extremely tough cut to make because Martin was a solid fill-in for Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola last year, but the additions of Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell push Martin off the roster.

Jim Steve-USA TODAY Sports

5. Clay Harbor

This writer is predicting that preseason darling A.J. Derby will make the final roster, leaving Harbor on the outside looking in after Patriots cuts. Harbor was expected to more or less be a shoo-in for the No. 3 tight end job, but Derby has been superb and deserves the role.

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4. Geneo Grissom

Despite having his roster chances increased after the news of Rob Ninkovich’s four-game suspension, Grissom will still find himself without a job on Patriots cuts day. Even without Ninkovich in the picture, there are a bunch of moving parts at pass rusher, including Jabaal Sheard, Chris Long, Trey Flowers, and outside linebacker/defensive end guys Barkevious Mingo and Shea McClellin. Grissom could land on the practice squad, though.

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3. Elandon Roberts

Roberts gutted it out on Thursday night, playing through what was clearly a hindering ankle issue. That certainly scored points among the Patriots’ brass and fan base alike, but there just isn’t a spot left for Roberts with Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower, Jonathan Freeny and Kamu Grugier-Hill looking like the definites to avoid getting slashed on Patriots cuts day.

Sep 1, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) tackles New York Giants wide receiver Roger Lewis (82) after he caught a pass for a touchdown during second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jonathan Jones

At times this preseason, this writer has predicted that Jones will be the victor of the horse race for the No. 5 cornerback job, but it looks like Cre’Von LeBlanc will win that battle. Such a decisions will shove Jones and Darryl Roberts off the depth chart (like V’Angelo Bentley and E.J. Biggers before them). Jones is fast and capable in coverage, traits which should land him a role on the practice squad.

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1. Darryl Roberts

Like Jones, Roberts will be left off the final 53-man roster. It’s been a roller coaster ride for Roberts since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft; he was the darling of the 2015 preseason before suffering a season-ending wrist injury, and then this summer he’s been substantially less spectacular in comparison to Cyrus Jones, Justin Coleman and LeBlanc. All three of those guys have emerged into the Patriots’ cornerback depth chart since Roberts was placed on injured reserve. In other words, Roberts doesn’t have the advantage of experience over that trio.

Stay tuned all afternoon here on Musket Fire for updates on Patriots cuts day.