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Patriots roster reset after moves

The following is a look at the New England Patriots' updated roster with a quick-hit thought at each position:

OFFENSE (26)

Quarterback (2): Tom Brady, Ryan Mallett

Quick hit: They have two openings on the practice squad, and it will be interesting to see if they fill one of them with a quarterback.

Running back (4): Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, LeGarrette Blount, Brandon Bolden

Quick hit: No real veteran presence among the group, which is part of the reason they might regret releasing Leon Washington.

Fullback (1): James Develin

Quick hit: Was working along with the tight ends in practice, which provides a good snapshot of his fit on the roster.

Wide receiver (6): Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman, Kenbrell Thompkins, Josh Boyce, Aaron Dobson, Matthew Slater

Quick hit: Boyce, the speedy fourth-round pick, could also be a factor as the primary kickoff returner.

Tight end (3): Rob Gronkowski, Michael Hoomanawanui, Zach Sudfeld

Quick hit: Sudfeld, the undrafted rookie from Nevada, is the new "move" option, replacing Aaron Hernandez.

Offensive line (10): Nate Solder, Logan Mankins, Ryan Wendell, Dan Connolly, Sebastian Vollmer, Marcus Cannon, Will Svitek, Josh Kline, Braxston Cave, Chris Barker

Quick hit: After not drafting an offensive lineman in each of the last two years, the Patriots fill the back end with three undrafted free agents. Hard to imagine all three sticking.

DEFENSE (24)

Defensive tackle (4): Vince Wilfork, Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano, A.J. Francis

Quick hit: Former Maryland teammates Vellano and Francis are among eight undrafted rookies on the roster.

Defensive end (4): Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Jake Bequette, Michael Buchanan

Quick hit: Bequette could be given a chance as an interior sub rusher in sub packages.

Linebacker (7): Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Dont'a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Dane Fletcher, Steve Beauharnais, Chris White

Quick hit: With Jeff Tarpinian on the practice squad, this is a deep group.

Cornerback (4): Aqib Talib, Kyle Arrington, Alfonzo Dennard, Logan Ryan

Quick hit: While third-round pick Ryan has been a quick study, depth is thin here. That's why I thought Marquice Cole would make it.

Safety (5): Devin McCourty, Steve Gregory, Duron Harmon, Tavon Wilson, Nate Ebner

Quick hit: Outside of Harmon, a 2013 third-round pick, this is the same group as last year.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)

Specialists (3): Ryan Allen (punter), Stephen Gostkowski (kicker), Danny Aiken (long-snapper)

Quick hit: Allen was swarmed by reporters in the locker room Sunday as few saw him winning the competition over since-released Zoltan Mesko.