The Patriots have rolled through more than a dozen training camp practices, including a joint session with Washington.
They've played their first preseason game - a 48-18 blowout of the Commanders - and will be headed to Minnesota Tuesday for joint practices ahead of Saturday's game with the Vikings.
Thanks to injury and two players landing on injured reserve (CB Marcellus Dial Jr and DT Jaquelin Roy), there's been some turnover with the roster.
Amid all of that, Mike Vrabel has been zeroing in on how the finished product is going to look.
It's a little more than two weeks away from cut-down day (August 26).
So as we creep closer to the deadline, here's how I think the roster is going to shake out:
After Henry and Hooper, the No. 3 spot is up for grabs. The Patriots need a third tight end, given how much Josh McDaniels relies on the position in his offense.
At this stage, Ohio State product Gee has been the best of an uninspiring lot.
They could go with less than nine, stashing a few bodies on the practice squad and elevate as needed on game days.
But given injuries and uncertainty, particularly when it comes to Morgan Moses, who has been a limited participant throughout, the Patriots might want a surplus of tackles on the active roster.
Assuming everyone's healthy at the outset, Campbell, Wilson, Bradbury, Onwenu and Moses are the starters.
Rookie Marcus Bryant has gotten a lot of quality time at right tackle with the absence of Moses.
With the scheme change, the tone will be set by the players up front.
Barmore, Williams, Tonga etc. have to get after it, collapse the pocket and get after the quarterback.
Rookie Farmer lands a spot, as does Pharms. Not much surprise who stays and who goes from this group.
Why the surplus?
Ponder and Jones have gotten quality reps and also have a presence on special teams. That boosts their status.
Chaisson has been hurt, but has looked like a menace when healthy.
Landry and White are givens.
Rookie Swinson makes it for now, but has started slow.
As for Jennings, he's a good player. He just doesn't fit Vrabel's scheme, and it's obvious given his usage on the second and third unit. The writing, as they say, is on the wall.
Spillane has been the tone setter for the group. Elliss has seen the most time next to Spillane, followed by Gibbens.
Vrabel wants faster, lighter linebackers, and this trio fit the bill.
Tavai, who's hurt, doesn't exactly measure up, but still sticks for now. Mapu might ultimately make it over Tavai given he's closer to the profile.
Based on the intel, however, their two lockdown stars should be ready to go for Week 1.
In their absence, both Austin and James have fared well which is a good sign.
Jones will handle the slot. The Patriots don't have a lot of depth there. Marcellus Dial would have been the backup slot, but he's now out for the season with a torn ACL.
Just waiting for someone to emerge to tack on a sixth for the group.
There's been some noise around Dugger. Perhaps they'll deal him, or release him, as speculation suggests. But given the guaranteed money he received ($32.5 million) with the extension he signed last year, it's hard to imagine the Patriots letting him go.
Peppers and Hawkins are a given. Ditto rookie Woodson, who has gotten reps in a number of spots.
Schooler is a special teams lock. For now, Pettus is in. Epps is out.
In practice, in scrimmages, in joint practices, in games, Romo has yet to miss a kick.
How does he not make the team with a perfect slate?
After a rough first day, Borregalas has also been perfect. And it's a sure bet the Patriots didn't draft him, to cut him.
But to this point, he's losing a fierce competition.