It’s good for the New England Patriots that Thursday night’s preseason finale didn’t matter. The defense was throttled in the first half, the offense struggled to run the ball once again and depth looks like a serious issue. They lost to the Browns 37-13.But now, the Pats turn the page to the regular season. The opener is less than two weeks away. And the initial 53-man roster is due Sunday evening.With no more preseason games or practices before cutdown day, here’s our final attempt at predicting the Patriots’ opening roster.Top Plays from Patriots @ BrownsQuarterbackIn: Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito, Behren MortonOut: NoneDeVito had a good training camp and looks like a capable backup, but everyone knows this is Maye’s show. A little regression after an incredible 2025 campaign would be understandable. But with an improved offensive line, better wide receivers and a second season in coordinator Josh McDaniels’ system, the sky is the limit for Maye.Running backIn: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Reggie GilliamOut: Lan Larison, Jam Miller, Hassan Haskins, JaMycal HastyIt would be unconventional to keep just two running backs and a fullback. But hear me out: No running back separated himself from the others in the RB3 competition. Rather than hand the job to someone, why not stick two running backs (like Larison and Miller) on the practice squad? They can elevate a player from the practice squad twice before having to activate them, so that could buy the Patriots a month before having to make a decision on their No. 3.Wide receiverIn: A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Efton ChismOut: Kyle Dixon, Nick DeGennaro, Cameron Dorner, Tejhaun PalmerThere’s much more clarity here after the trade of Kayshon Boutte. And after the deal, it was a great sign to see Williams have another strong preseason game. For the second straight contest, he beat a corner for a deep ball downfield, scoring a 45-yard touchdown against the Browns. He might just be a one-trick wide receiver, but he’s good at that one trick.Tight endIn: Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon, Tanner ArkinOut: Jack Westover, CJ DippreIt’s going to be interesting to see how McDaniels utilizes his tight ends. Raridon still needs to add strength, but he’s being thrust into the No. 2 job after an injury to Julian Hill. Does that mean McDaniels uses two-tight-end formations less than expected?As for the No. 3 job, Arkin seems the likely winner as the true blocking tight end. But it wouldn’t be a shock if the Pats searched the waiver wire Saturday night for a blocking tight end with more experience.Offensive lineIn: Will Campbell, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu, Marcus Bryant, Dametrious Crownover, Greg Van Roten, James Hudson IIIOut: Mehki Butler, Lorenz Metz, Jacob Rizy, JonDarius Morgan, Darrian Dalcourt, Joe Michalski, Jack ConleyInjured: Ben BrownThe depth here is a bit of a mess. The Patriots signed Van Roten to be their catch-all interior offensive line backup, and they are putting a lot of stock into him picking up the offense and getting in football shape in a few short weeks.Beyond that, the big question is whether Lomu or Bryant would be the first tackle off the bench to replace an injured player or in jumbo packages. Bryant was better in training camp, but Lomu was a first-round pick and thus comes with much more promise.Defensive lineIn: Dre’Mont Jones, Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Gabe Jacas, Elijah Ponder, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Quintayvious Hutchins, Bradyn SwinsonOut: Leonard Taylor III, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Jesse Luketa, Xavier Holmes, Isaiah Iton, Casey RogersInjured: Harold Landry IIIThis is another spot where the Patriots lack depth, and it seems likely they’ll put in at least one waiver claim for someone to help on the D-line. The edge depth is a mess with Landry looking like he’ll miss Week 1. Jacas has good traits, but when he misses, he misses big — as we saw Thursday night. And the interior D-line lacks a true run stuffer, which contributed to their problems in that area throughout training camp.LinebackerIn: Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, K.J. Britt, Namdi Obiazor, Chad MumaOut: Amari Gainer, Riley Wilson, Khalil JacobsStop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Patriots lack depth here as well. Obiazor and Muma make the roster in this projection because, well, you need some linebackers to make it. It’s an important position for special teams.The drawback for the Patriots entering the weekend? They have the 31st priority on waiver claims (out of 32 teams), which could hurt their ability to land reinforcements.CornerbackIn: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Kindle Vildor, Charles Woods, Karon PruntyOut: Kobee Minor, Marcellas Dial Jr., Brandon Crossley, Channing CanadaThursday wasn’t a banner night for the backup cornerbacks, who watched as Dillon Gabriel dusted them for three touchdowns in the first half. Vildor had a nice second preseason game, Woods has plenty of experience and Prunty had some nice moments in training camp. You could make an argument for Canada here, too. But the lack of depth also underscores the importance of getting a deal done with Gonzalez.SafetyIn: Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson, Jaylen Reed, Dell PettusOut: John Saunders Jr., Mike Brown, Peter Manuma, Eric ButlerInjured: Brenden SchoolerThe Patriots tried signing some veteran safeties to add depth this spring, but they didn’t really work out, leading to the trade that landed them Reed. The Patriots don’t just think Reed can be a backup this season, but they expect him to be a core piece on special teams. And if things go well, he could factor into the starting competition next year for the job next to Woodson, since Byard is on a one-year deal.Special teamsIn: Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian AshbyOut: Matt HaackHaack punted well against the Browns, and it’s not really clear how serious Baringer’s injury is. Haack is probably the guy if Baringer isn’t ready for Week 1.