Commentary

Dueling projections: Pats' roster (v. 3.0)

Mike Reiss and Mike Rodak predict how the Patriots' roster will look come Sept. 12

Updated: August 26, 2011, 1:43 PM ET
By Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- When projecting the Patriots' 53-man roster, one of the toughest positions to analyze is receiver.

Chad Ochocinco, Wes Welker and Deion Branch look like locks, and second-year receiver Taylor Price and third-year man Julian Edelman also seem to be safe. If that's the way it unfolds, it puts Brandon Tate, last year's No. 3 receiver and the team's top kickoff returner, closer to the roster bubble.

Given how often the Patriots utilize two tight ends, and with Aaron Hernandez a recever-like talent, it makes one wonder if keeping six pure receivers is a luxury the team can afford.

That was the most challenging area to analyze in the third version of "dueling" roster projections:

Mike Reiss

ESPN New England Patriots reporter

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