Author’s note: This projection has been updated to reflect the reported release of DT Mike Pennel.

With less than a week left until cutdown day, there’s no time to waste.

Let’s roll.

QUARTERBACK (3)

Tom Brady

Brian Hoyer

Jarrett Stidham

Breakdown: The Patriots know what they have in Hoyer. They’re still trying to learn more about Stidham. That’s why the fourth-round rookie took every snap after Brady exited Thursday’s preseason win after three series. If by the end of the week, New England believes Stidham can command and move the offense at the same level Hoyer can, the veteran journeyman will be sent journeying again.

But from what I observed Thursday — when Stidham saw his most extensive action yet against first and second-team defenders — he still needs time. The Pats can trust Hoyer to keep them afloat if Brady goes down for a few weeks, and that’s vital insurance for any contender. Stidham, while exciting, invites a much lower, possibly problematic floor.

Considering Bill Belichick has assembled his most talented roster since at least 2014, he shouldn’t let go of a sure thing behind Brady. Keep the Hall of Fame starter, his veteran backup and the talented rookie to learn from them both.

RUNNING BACK (6)

Sony Michel

James White

Rex Burkhead

Brandon Bolden

Damien Harris

James Develin

Breakdown: All six of these backs can take it easy over the weekend. They’re among the surest bets to make the final 53.

WIDE RECEIVER (6)

Julian Edelman

Josh Gordon

N’Keal Harry

Phillip Dorsett

Demaryius Thomas

Jakobi Meyers

Breakdown: Thomas’ activation off PUP last week came as a mild surprise considering he’s only eight months removed from an Achilles tear in the tail end of his career. The upside is the 31-year-old can now share vital reps with Brady in practice, while the staff can properly weigh whether to place him on injured reserve with a designation to return if he’s closer to 75 percent than 100. For now, Thomas sticks.

Elsewhere, Edelman, Gordon, Harry and Dorsett are locks, with future Patriots Hall of Famer Jakobi Meyers right there, too.

TIGHT END (2)

Matt LaCosse

Ryan Izzo

Suspended: Ben Watson (4 games)

Breakdown: Izzo returns to the 53-man roster after routinely erasing Panthers defensive ends on run plays last week and taking more snaps than any other tight end. The second-year Florida State product has blocked his way to a roster spot. This has become the only essential trait for New England tight ends, with a sudden bevy of pass-catching talent around them at wide receiver and running back.

OFFENSIVE LINE (8)

OT Isaiah Wynn

OG Joe Thuney

C David Andrews

OG Shaq Mason

OT Marcus Cannon

OT Cole Croston

OG/C Ted Karras

OG/C Hjalte Froholdt

NFI: OT Yodny Cajuste

Breakdown: Re-signed two weeks ago, Croston has quickly knocked off the embattled Dan Skipper for the vacant swing tackle spot. It’s possible New England lets them both go betting they’ll pass through waivers and then one can return on the practice squad. But the idea of rostering zero backup offensive tackles feels too risky.

Meanwhile, Karras has put fellow veteran James Ferentz far enough in his rearview that he could hit cruise control until the regular season. Froholdt, a fourth-round rookie, has endured an up-and-down preseason but will remain on the active roster.

DEFENSIVE LINE (5)

Michael Bennett

Lawrence Guy

Danny Shelton

Adam Butler

Byron Cowart

Breakdown: There’s a non-zero chance Cowart starts Week 1. The fifth-round rookie has been that good.

Oh, and wondering about Wise? The 6-foot-5, 275-pound veteran is a fated casualty of New England’s scheme shift. Thankfully for the Pats, he should fetch at least a late-round pick on the open market as a pass-rushing 4-3 end.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (4)

Kyle Van Noy

Jamie Collins

John Simon

Chase Winovich

IR: Brandon King, Derek Rivers

Breakdown: King’s reported season-ending quad tear is a hit to New England’s special teams depth, but a non-factor defensively. Van Noy and Collins are the clear starters on the edge, while Simon and Winovich, the preseason MVP, will back them up. Don’t be surprised to see all four of them deployed at once in a subpackage or two this season.

INSIDE LINEBACKER (4)

Dont’a Hightower

Elandon Roberts

Ja’Whaun Bentley

Calvin Munson

Breakdown: Who is Calvin Munson?

A steady riser throughout the summer, Munson signed to New England’s practice squad early last October after starting five games as a rookie with the Giants in 2017. Less than a year later, he received his outright release from New York. Since then, Munson has established himself in Foxborough as a tough, sound tackler with a talent for special teams. He nearly made our last projection.

After King’s injury, he slides in as the Pats’ newest core special teamer and fills the one of the backup spots at inside linebacker. Barring a Roberts trade, the other three are locks.

CORNERBACK (6)

Stephon Gilmore

Jason McCourty

J.C. Jackson

Jonathan Jones

Joejuan Williams

Keion Crossen

Breakdown: The only question surrounding this group all summer pertained to 2018 second-round pick Duke Dawson. Do the Pats believe he’s a sunk cost? All six of the cornerbacks listed above have been appreciably better than him on the field. Here’s betting they cut bait.

SAFETY (5)

Devin McCourty

Patrick Chung

Duron Harmon

Terrence Brooks

Nate Ebner

Breakdown: Ebner cracks his first projection after sustaining good health in recent weeks and starring in his old special teams role. There’s no reason to believe any of the other four won’t stick, with Chung’s return to practice Sunday easing any concern about New England punishing him for his alleged legal transgression before a trial occurs.

SPECIAL TEAMS (4)

K Stephen Gostkowski

P Jake Bailey

LS Joe Cardona

ST Matthew Slater

Breakdown: Ryan Allen’s release removed any uncertainty surrounding this group. These are the four the Pats are leaning on to carry their special teams.

TOUGHEST CUTS