New England Patriots: Brandon Tate and 5 Toughest 53-Man Roster Cuts

With the New England Patriots preseason in check, it is now time for Bill Belichick to wield his knife and surgically strip down his roster to the 53-man regular season limit.

Of course those cuts won't be found out for another few hours at the very least.

Here are five players who will be more anxious than most until the final roster is finally announced.

Kevin Faulk

Faulk is a prime candidate to land on the PUP list and miss the first six weeks of the regular season, but he may be released completely in order to allow him find a roster where he fits better.

The Patriots have four capable backs already, and Faulk is guaranteed nothing coming off a torn ACL. Bill Belichick will have too much respect for the veteran to mess him around and keep him hanging around for a chance that may not be there later on.

Faulk's best chances at landing on a roster probably come if he is cut from this one.

Brandon Tate

Tate needed an impressive preseason to save his roster spot. He hasn't had one and with the special teams rules now changing, his value to the team is already hit.

Matthew Slater and Taylor Price look like they are going to ultimately beat him out for the final roster spots at wide receiver.

Gerard Warren

Mike Wright made an impact in the Patriots' final preseason game that could allow him to pip Warren for the team's final defensive tackle spot.

With Ron Brace and Brandon Deaderick heading to the PUP list and the fact I'm not buying Albert Haynesworth being let go, Warren was lucky to be in contention as things stood.

Mark Anderson

Anderson had a poor game against the Detroit Lions and then wasn't active for the team's final preseason game that has all but sealed his fate.

The former rookie standout was being looked to as a disruptive player off the edge but it seems like that single season really was just a once-off.

Tracy White

Tracy White is a special teams standout who may lose in the numbers game as Dane Fletcher has impressed in the preseason.

Brandon Spikes is back at practice also so White just continues to fall toward the chopping block.