The preseason is now behind us, and the Patriots will have some challenging decisions to make on Tuesday during roster cut-downs.
New England will need to trim their current roster down to just 53 players. Players that were cut and pass through the waiver wire—where they can be picked up by other teams—can be signed to New England’s practice squad of 16 players. Eliot Wolf and company can also make waiver wire claims to pick up outside talent.
The departure of some veteran talent has opened up more opportunities for younger, rising talent. There are a handful of players who have had an impressive summer and could squeeze onto the team’s initial roster. On the other hand, surprise cuts will be made as always. Here’s a look at what New England’s initial 53-man roster may look like:
QB (3): Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton III
Out – Bailey Zappe
Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye can be considered locks as New England’s top two options at quarterback this season. Joe Milton has shown enough progression in his game from his collegiate days that the coaching staff may want to avoid losing him to another team. That leaves Bailey Zappe as the lone player out in the quarterback room.
RB (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris
Out – JaMychal Hasty, Terrell Jennings, Deshaun Fenwick
Antonio Gibson will see a considerable amount of the receiving work out of the backfield. JaMychal Hasty has made a strong name for himself this summer, especially in the receiving game; however, given other positional areas of need, New England may only be able to carry three running backs on the initial roster. Hasty and undrafted free agent Terrell Jennings, who has stood out at times, are likely priorities for the practice squad.
TE (3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell
Out – La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren, Mitchell Wilcox
Veteran Austin Hooper seems to be New England’s most reliable option at tight end when Hunter Henry is off the field. Jaheim Bell struggled with drop issues earlier in the summer but has improved recently with more reps. The team could end up keeping only two tight ends initially, but Bell is making the decision complicated. New England may also look toward the waiver wire for options on the practice squad.
WR (6): DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Tyquan Thornton, K.J. Osborn, Javon Baker, Jalen Reagor
Out – Kayshon Boutte, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis, Matt Landers
PUP – Kendrick Bourne
IR – JaQuae Jackson
Douglas, Thornton, and Polk seem to be the starting options in three-receiver sets, with K.J. Osborn as the top rotation for the Z receiver. In addition, Javon Baker has showcased his raw talent as an NFL receiver. Jalen Reagor is an important piece to New England as a kick/punt returner and has been a decent contributor on the outside, which may bump Kayshon Boutte to the practice squad. Undrafted free agent David Wallis looks like a future option for the team as a returner.
Kendrick Bourne still has yet to practice with the team this summer. A four-week absence to start the regular season looks like a likely option for him. Undrafted free agent JaQuae Jackson seemed like a priority for the practice squad before his unfortunate leg injury during New England’s second pre-season game.
OL (9): David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Sidy Sow, Chukwuma Okorafor, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson, Nick Leverett, Calvin Anderson
Out – Atonio Mafi, Michael Jordan, Zuri Henry, Charles Turner, Liam Fornadel, Kellen Deisch
IR – Jake Andrews
PUP – Cole Strange
Vederian Lowe has seen a significant amount of time at LT this summer but has been dealing with a minor oblique injury recently. The starting offensive line without Lowe has included Chuks Okorafor at LT, Sidy Sow at LG, David Andrews at C, rookie Layden Robinson at RG, and Mike Onwenu at RT. Behind that unit, rookie tackle Caedan Wallace has made late-summer strides in his game, and veteran guard Nick Leverett has shown to be the team’s top option for a backup center. Calvin Anderson would also be a backup option at offensive tackle.
Jake Andrews was placed on season-ending IR earlier this summer. Cole Strange has yet to practice with the team this off-season.
DL (6): Deatrich Wise Jr, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms, Armon Watts, Trysten Hill
Out – Sam Roberts, Josiah Bronson
IR – Christian Barmore
Davon Godchaux is New England’s best option to stuff the run game with Christian Barmore out indefinitely, and Deatrich Wise has been a leader on defense for several years. Daniel Ekuale is a strong veteran piece who can be productive when healthy. Throughout the summer, Jeremiah Pharms has proven to be effective in stopping the run. He may have a very involved 2024 season. New England needs depth on the defensive front this season; Armon Watts and Trysten Hill are the next-best veteran options. Sam Roberts, who has shown flashes in the past, would be a priority for the practice squad.
EDGE (4): Josh Uche, Keion White, Anfernee Jennings, Oshane Ximines
Out – Jotham Russell, William Bradley-King, Chris McCarroll
With Matthew Judon gone, Anfernee Jennings, Keion White, and Josh Uche will all take on an increased role. Behind them is Oshane Ximines, who has had an impressive summer. The question mark with this group is its depth, which Ximines looks to stabilize. William Bradley-King is another player that could sneak onto the initial roster, or at least be a practice squad priority.
LB (4): Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Joe Giles-Harris, Raekwon McMillan
Out – Steele Chambers, Kobe Jones
PUP – Sione Takitaki
IR – Christian Ellis
Another positional area in need of depth: New England’s linebacker corps needs more bodies, with Sione Takitaki still on the PUP list. Raekwon McMillan, who missed the entirety of the 2023 season due to injury, will be a quality piece behind the starters in Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai. Filling out the rest of the group would include Joe Giles-Harris, who has looked solid this summer.
Christian Ellis was diagnosed with a head injury during Sunday night’s preseason game and has a chance to be placed on the injured reserve list. He was on track to make the initial roster and could be designated for return from IR eventually.
CB (7): Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Marco Wilson, Isaiah Bolden, Shaun Wade
Out – Marcellas Dial, Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor
Christian Gonzalez and Marco Wilson were the Patriots’ top outside duo during the preseason, with Jonathan Jones out. The Jones-Tandem has not been on the field much this summer, but they are a significant part of the secondary when healthy. Both Alex Austin and Isaiah Bolden have shown they can be reliable options at times heading into their second year. Shaun Wade has a couple years of experience under his belt. It’s difficult to see him passing through the waiver wire.
Marcellas Dial has been an excellent open-field tackler but has struggled a bit when in coverage—specifically in man coverage. Dial would be the best option to sign to the practice squad. Undrafted free agent Mikey Victor has also shown promising flashes this summer. He could be a player the coaching staff will want to keep and develop.
S (5): Jabrill Peppers, Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler, Dell Pettus
Out – Joshuah Bledsoe, AJ Thomas
IR – Marte Mapu
Behind Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins and Brenden Schooler have positioned themselves as notable rotational pieces on defense who could see significant playing time this season. Undrafted free agent Dell Pettus has also had an impressive summer. It is more difficult to find reasons to keep Pettus off the initial roster than on. Joshua Bledsoe would be a practice squad priority.
Second-year safety Marte Mapu, who is currently on the PUP list, has not practiced with the team this summer and seems destined for an injured reserve designation.
K (3): Joey Slye, Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona
Out – Chad Ryland, Tucker Addington
Throughout the summer, Joey Slye looks to be New England’s starting kicker—which they seem to believe given that Slye has been their go-to option during pre-season matchups. Ryland stole the starting kicker role from the veteran on Sunday night, but Slye has had a better overall performance this summer. Bryce Baringer is locked into the starting punter position. The same goes for Joe Cardona as the team’s long snapper.
