NFL expanding practice squad to ten: impact on Pats and 18 game season


With the sea of Patriots news yesterday, there was a piece that understandably fell under the radar. Adam Schefter, among others, reported yesterday afternoon that the NFL was planning on expanding practice squads from 8 to 10 players:



Let's first look at this in the immediate future, as it allows two additional players to practice with the Patriots. This is big news for several players on the current roster, with the biggest name likely being Justin Jones. This would allow his development to occur during practice without carrying him on the 53 man roster. Using my roster projection 3.0 as a template for the 53 man, let's quickly highlight ten names that may be practice squad candidates:

WR Jeremy Gallon
WR Derrick Johnson
RB Jonas Gray
TE Justin Jones
OL Jordan Devey
OL Braxston Cave
DT Eathyn Manumaleuna
LB Cameron Gordon
DE Zach Moore
DB Jemea Thomas

Obviously this is a working list, as teams traditionally sign players other teams aren't assigning to their 53 man rosters, so expect 2-3 of these spots to be filled by players on other rosters. Devey, Moore, Jones and Thomas could both garner interest from other teams, and may make it onto a 53 man roster if a player like a Roy Finch is injured and could slide to practice squad, or if an OL player gets hurt/regresses. I will certainly add a possible look at the practice squad to my final roster projection the day after preseason game 4. Certainly comment with any names you feel are left out or unrealistic below.

Beyond the short term gains for each team, this could be the start of roster expansion which would make an 18 game season more tolerable for the NFLPA. Adding 64 jobs is a nice start. If they continue down this path, you could in future years to see training camp squads expanded to 95 or so players, full rosters expanded to 56, and an increase in game day actives from 45 to 49. If something like this occurs, there are 160 jobs added in preseason and 150 extra regular season jobs between roster and practice squad. Add this to the already heated discussions of shortening the preseason to 3 games, and the NFLPA may agree to add 1 extra suit up per year to assure 150 more paychecks for their membership. It's certainly the early stages, but every move the NFL has made in recent years has been with intent to increase revenue, so you have to imagine the plan is far greater than two extra sets of hands.

Are we seeing the beginning of a push to 18 games? Would that help or hurt the Patriots? Let's chat about any of this stuff below or on Twitter @TheFib0624

--Bill Stiles

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