Roster Update 4.0

Quarterback (3)

Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallet.

No change from last week. Mallet making a push up the depth chart.

Running Back (4)

Stephen Ridley, Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden

No change from last week. Waiting to put Demps on here until I see something concrete out of him. I think the returner woes are a little overblown.

Fullback (0)

Still no Fullback, and with Demps signed, looks to be an even tougher road.

Wide Receiver (6)

Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd, Matthew Slater, Julian Edelman, Deion Branch, Jabar Gaffney

First change here. Deion looked good against the Eagles, and Stallworth hasn’t shown much. As others have noticed, didn’t really separate on the long balls, which needs to be his specialty.

Tight End (3)

Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Daniel Fells

Putting Fells back on here with the news that he is coming off PUP. We will see what happens when Shiancoe and his injury.

Offensive Line (8)

Nate Solder (LT), Logan Mankins (LG), Dan Connolley (C/G), Brian Waters (RG), Sebastion Vollmer, (RT), Ryan Wendell (C/G), Marcus Cannon (T), Ryan MacDonald (C/G/T)

Going light here with 8 offensive lineman. Still assuming Brian Waters makes the team. Possibility of adding a tackle here.

Defensive Lineman (5)

Vince Wilfork (NT, 4-3 DT, 3-4 DE), Kyle Love (NT, 4-3 DT, 3-4 DE), Brandon Deadrick (4-3 DT, 3-4 DE), Ron Brace (4-3 DT, 3-4 DE), Justin Francis (4-3 DE/DT)

The cut to Fanene is the biggest change here, and should pave the way for Jusin Francis to make the team.

Defensive End / Outside Linebacker (5)

Chandler Jones (4-3 DE, 3-4 OLB), Rob Ninkovich (4-3 DE, 3-4 OLB), Jermaine Cunningham (3-4 OLB, 4-3 DE), Jake Bequette (4-3 DE), Trevor Scott (3-4 OLB, 4-3 DE)

The cut to Fanene opens up a spot for Trevor Scott, who has looked better in recent days.

Inside Linebacker (6)

Jerod Mayo (4-3 WLB, 3-4 MLB, 4-3 MLB, sub), Brandon Spikes (4-3 MLB, 3-4 MLB, 4-3 SLB), Donta Hightower (4-3 SLB, MLB 3-4 MLB, sub), Bobby Carpentar (sub, 4-3 WLB, Special Teams), Niko Koutivitis (Special Teams, sub, 4-3WLB, 3-4 MLB), Jeff Tarpinian ((Special Teams, sub, 4-3WLB, 4-3 MLB, 3-4 MLB)

Put Rivera on the roster a little prematurely in the last update, Tarpinian still has the inside track here I think. The last two spots on here are very fluid and could go a number of different ways, with Tracy White and Mike Rivera also possibilities here.

Cornerback(5)

Ras-I Dowling, Devin McCourty, Kyle Arrington, Sterling Moore, Marquise Cole

Same for all 4 weeks I've been doing this. Marquise Cole has made some separation at that 5 spot with solid special teams and showing some ability in coverage. Depth chart of McCourty. Arrington. Dowling. Moore. Cole. is one of the most stable of all.

Safety (5)

Patrick Chung, Steve Gregory, Tavon Wilson, James Ihedigbo, Nate Ebner.

Big change here, with Will Allen and Josh Barrett off in favor of Ihedigbo and Ebner. Both of these guys bring incredible special teams value and Ebner has looked much better than anticipated. Will Allen is off because of lack of special teams versatility and Barrett appears to be

Specialists (3)

Stepehen Gostkowski, Zoltan Mesko, Danny Aiken.

Not much to say. Kicker, Punter, Holder.