It’s not a secret that head coach Bill Belichick loves players that can line up at safety because they usually have the versatility to help out on special teams. The problem this year is that he already knows which safeties he wants for the regular season.
That means that all of the safeties down the depth chart are expendable and the New England Patriots have started their roster moves by cutting safety Cedric Thompson.
Client @cedjunior41 has been informed of his release from@Patriots Expect a waiver claim or new team very soon
— DEC Management (@davidcanter) August 21, 2016
Thompson was a good enough player, just like fellow recent roster cut Brock Vereen, but just not good enough to crack the Patriots roster. Thompson was hoping to make the squad as a special teamer.
The Patriots are flush with talent at the position and Thompson wasn’t in the plans.
1. At free safety, the Patriots have Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon.
2. At strong safety, the Patriots have Patrick Chung and Jordan Richards.
3. As pure athletes that are technically safeties, the Patriots have Nate Ebner and Brandon King.
Even though 6th round rookie Kamu Grugier-Hill is technically a linebacker, he’s small enough to be considered an in-the-box safety.
Special teamer Vinnie Sunseri is the last safety on the roster that is considered expendable, but he has been one of the best special teamers on the roster this preseason; it’s likely that he’s destined for the practice squad.
The release means the Patriots have two open roster spots. They must get down to 75 players by August 30th.
Best of luck to Thompson wherever he lands.