The NFL is switching things up on cutdown day this year.

In years past, the NFL staggered cuts by requiring teams to trim their roster from 90 players to 85, then 80, then all the way down to 53. This season, there’s just one cutdown date on Aug. 29, when teams must trim their rosters from 90 players to 53.

We’re getting out ahead of things by projecting what the Patriots’ 53-man roster will look like after Aug. 29. The first Patriots training camp practice will be held Wednesday. Veteran players report today.

In — Malik Cunningham, Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe

Out — Trace McSorely

The Herald’s take: A new rule allows teams to dress a third quarterback in games without declaring him active. Cunningham, a rookie who earned a Patriots-record signing bonus and contract guarantee for an undrafted free agent, received snaps at quarterback and wide receiver this spring, but he’s still officially listed on the roster as a QB. He’s worth rostering to continue to develop at wide receiver, serve as depth in a pass-catching role and dress on gamedays for an emergency situation in case Jones and Zappe both go down with injuries.

McSorely was inconsistent over the spring but could push Cunningham for a roster spot since he brings much more pro experience.

Jones looked far ahead of Zappe in the QB pecking order through organized team activities and minicamp.

In — Ty Montgomery, Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong

Out — Kevin Harris, J.J. Taylor

The Herald’s take: If the Patriots keep a fourth running back, then it would probably be a veteran addition to the roster. The team worked out free agents Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson last week with two open spots on the roster but didn’t immediately sign either player.

Strong added weight this offseason and could serve as a backup to both Stevenson in an early-down role and Montgomery as a pass-catcher.

It seems likely that the Patriots could slip Harris and/or Taylor through waivers onto the practice squad for additional depth.

In — Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton

Out — Kayshon Boutte, Jalen Hurd, Ed Lee, Tre Nixon, Raleigh Webb

The Herald’s take: This might look slightly shallow on paper, but Cunningham, Montgomery and tight end Mike Gesicki can also take snaps at wide receiver.

Douglas, a rookie sixth-round pick out of Liberty, is a dark horse for snaps in the slot this season.

Webb was on the 53-man roster last season but had issues catching the ball during the spring. Boutte will need to prove himself reliable and healthy in training camp and the preseason for a roster spot.

In — Mike Gesicki, Hunter Henry

Out — Anthony Firkser, Johnny Lumpkin, Matt Sokol, Scotty Washington

The Herald’s take: Unless Firkser, Lumpkin, Sokol or Washington truly stands out this summer, the Patriots could get by with storing their tight end depth on the practice squad this year.

Firkser is a veteran option, Lumpkin has potential as a blocker and Washington is a little bit like Gesicki, more of a big wide receiver than a true tight end. The Patriots rostered just two tight ends last season, but it was a different offensive system with Matt Patricia and Joe Judge running the show rather than new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.

In — Calvin Anderson, David Andrews, Jake Andrews, Trent Brown, Atonio Mafi, Mike Onwenu, Riley Reiff, Sidy Sow, Cole Strange

Out — James Ferentz, Chasen Hines, Conor McDermott, Bill Murray, Kody Russey, Andrew Stueber

The Herald’s take: McDermott was a tough cut, but Anderson can back up both starting tackles — Brown and Reiff — while Sow serves as developmental depth. Since McDermott is a vested veteran, he would not need to clear waivers if cut.

Onwenu, the Patriots’ starting right guard, is starting the spring on the PUP list. Jake Andrews, Mafi and Sow all were drafted this year.

In — Christian Barmore, Daniel Ekuale, Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy, Sam Roberts, Keion White, Deatrich Wise

Out — Carl Davis, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Justus Tavai

The Herald’s take: Davis played more snaps than Roberts last season, but the Patriots could use an injection of youth at this position. Davis is 31 years old while Roberts, a sixth-round pick, was drafted last season.

Barmore could take a significant step forward if he can stay healthier in 2023. Barmore and White could be a dangerous interior pass-rushing duo in obvious passing situations.

Guy held out of the offseason workout program. The Patriots would save salary cap space if they made him a surprise cut next month.

In — Anfernee Jennings, Matt Judon, Josh Uche

Out — Ronnie Perkins

The Herald’s take: Perkins has yet to make his NFL debut since being selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Time is running out for him to prove he deserves a roster spot.

White and Wise are both bigger players but also play on the edge at defensive end.

In — Ja’Whaun Bentley, Chris Board, Marte Mapu, Jahlani Tavai, Mack Wilson

Out — Olakunle Fatukasi, Diego Fagot, Terez Hall, Jourdan Heilig, Calvin Munson

The Herald’s take: The Patriots placed linebacker Raekwon McMillan on injured reserve early this spring. Prior to that transaction, it seemed likely that Wilson and McMillan would be competing for one spot on the roster.

Mapu was a spring standout, lining up at safety and linebacker in OTAs and minicamp.

Board is a core special-teams player, but he can also contribute defensively. Heilig is a player to watch if the Patriots want to keep around one more special-teams-only player.

In — Myles Bryant, Christian Gonzalez, Jack Jones, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Ameer Speed

Out — Isaiah Bolden, Quandre Mosely, Rodney Randle, Ameer Speed, Shaun Wade

The Herald’s take: Ultimately, we kept Speed over special-teams safety Cody Davis, 34, who is starting the spring on the PUP list. The Patriots can only keep so many special-teams-only players, and Speed provides more developmental tools defensively at cornerbacks thanks to his size and, well, speed.

Jack Jones’ status is still up in the air after his June arrest for allegedly possessing firearms in his carry-on luggage at Logan Airport.

Bryant isn’t a fan favorite, but he played over 50 percent of defensive snaps last season and provides depth in the slot, at safety and on special teams.

In — Kyle Dugger, Jalen Mills, Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips

Out — Joshuah Bledsoe, Cody Davis, Brad Hawkins

The Herald’s take: Bledsoe deserves a spot, but in whose place? The Patriots can pull additional safety depth from the cornerback (Bryant, Jonathan Jones) and special-teams (Brenden Schooler) groups.

Mills can also help out at cornerback if Jack Jones isn’t available.

One of the biggest question marks in Foxboro is who replaces Devin McCourty at free safety. There will be some trial and error this summer in deciding that question.

In — P Bryce Baringer, LS Joe Cardona, ST DaMarcus Mitchell, K Chad Ryland, ST Brenden Schooler, ST Matthew Slater

Out — LS Tucker Addington, K Nick Folk, P Corliss Waitman

The Herald’s take: It’s a youth movement in the special teams group (outside of Cardona, 31, and Slater, 37). If the competition is close, it makes sense to keep Baringer and Ryland to keep developing them.

The Patriots could even add Folk and Waitman to their practice squad for additional depth.