Following the commencement of the New England Patriots’ first spring OTAs and minicamp practices under new head coach Mike Vrabel, the team now shifts its focus to training camp, beginning in late July.
With an overhauled roster on both sides of the ball, Vrabel and company will have to make a plethora of difficult decisions come time for roster cutdowns in late August. This is a year where more veteran players than usual could see themselves on the outside looking in, in favor of new talent, whether it be an undrafted free agent from UC Davis or a new signing.
There’s still a long way to go in this process, but for now, there is still plenty of information to formulate a rough projection of the Patriots’ 53-man roster heading into the 2025 regular season. Below is my first crack at the roster.
Note: The “R” in parentheses next to a player’s name indicates that player is a rookie. An asterisk symbolizes a player is an undrafted rookie.
QB (2): Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
Out: Ben Wooldridge (R*)
Drake Maye steadily improved throughout the spring as the offense continued to adjust to Josh McDaniel’s playbook. Veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs will serve as Maye’s backup this season. Ben Wooldridge, an undrafted rookie, is a prime candidate for the practice squad as the team’s emergency quarterback.
RB (4): Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson (R), Antonio Gibson, Lan Larison (R*)
Out: Terrell Jennings, Trayveon Williams
Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson will be the focal point of the Patriots’ run game. While there’s not much for the running backs to showcase in spring practices, Henderson’s thick frame paired with his home-run-hitting speed is evident.
In addition, undrafted rookie Lan Larison is a player on the bubble that could provide pass-catching depth at the position while contributing on special teams. Veteran Antonio Gibson is a talented player I can’t see McDaniels and Vrabel moving on from. The former Washington Commander was a bright spot for New England’s offense in 2024.
WR (6): Stefon Diggs, Kyle Williams (R), DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kendrick Bourne, Efton Chism III (R*)
Traded: Kayshon Boutte
Out: Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, John Jiles, Jeremiah Webb (R*), DeMeer Blankumsee (R*)
Kyle Williams and DeMario Douglas are practically locks to make the roster. Stefon Diggs also fits that category if he is ready to go for Week One, which he seems on track to be. Mack Hollins and Kendrick Bourne also bring familiarity and prior knowledge of the Josh McDaniels system, as both veteran receivers worked with the Patriots offensive coordinator in the past.
Although McDaniels could get the best out of Kayshon Boutte, his name arose in trade talks prior to the NFL draft. The LSU product could be dealt for draft capital in favor of undrafted rookie Efton Chism III, who has been heavily involved in spring practices.
As things currently stand with the 2024 draftees, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, neither has shown they can be key contributors. Baker, one of the most talented receivers on New England’s roster, has yet to put everything together. Polk, however, has a chance to crack the roster once he is fully recovered from his shoulder injury.
TE (3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Brock Lampe (R*)
Out: Jack Westover, CJ Dippre (R*), Jaheim Bell, Gee Scott Jr. (R*)
The main takeaway from this group is undrafted rookie Brock Lampe. The Northern Illinois product primarily played fullback for the Huskies, and he will continue to see snaps at the position in Josh McDaniels’ offense, officially marking the return of the fullback position in New England.
OL (9): Garrett Bradbury, Jared Wilson (R), Will Campbell (R), Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Caedan Wallace, Vederian Lowe, Cole Strange, Jack Conley (R*)
Out: Layden Robinson, Tyrese Robinson, Ben Brown, Sidy Sow, Demontrey Jacobs, Mehki Butler (R*), Marcus Bryant (R)
Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses shore up the right side of the offensive line for next year, and Will Campbell is without a doubt the starting left tackle for the team. To provide depth at the tackle spots are Vederian Lowe and second-year tackle Caedan Wallace.
The glaring questions remain at left guard and center.
Veteran center Garrett Bradbury has been the Patriots’ top center throughout spring practices, with Cole Strange to the left of him following Wes Schweitzer’s retirement. Rookie Jared Wilson has been dealing with an undisclosed injury during the spring, leaving Jack Conley as one of the main interior backups. Wallace also has the potential to provide help on the interior.
DL (5): Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer (R), Jeremiah Pharms.
Out: Jaquelin Roy, Isaiah Iton, Jahvaree Ritzie (R*), Wilfried Pene (R*)
Milton Williams and a healthy Christian Barmore will be a one-two punch that opposing offensive lines will dread playing against. Both are dominant players, and the focus that will be geared toward them will leave opportunities for players like Keion White to take advantage of one-on-one matchups.
Veteran Khyiris Tonga is the Patriots’ big-body nose tackle for early downs to stop the run. Rookie Joshua Farmer and Jeremiah Pharms should be decent depth pieces behind Williams, Barmore, and Tonga. Jaquelin Roy is a name to watch who can make a strong push for a final roster spot.
EDGE (5): Keion White, Harold Landry III, K’Lavon Chaisson, Bradyn Swinson (R), Anfernee Jennings
Out: Elijah Ponder (R*), Truman Jones
Harold Landry will be a defensive starter and paid $43.5 million over the next three years; he’s not going anywhere. K’Lavon Chaisson and day-three draftee Bradyn Swinson will likely serve as situational pass rushers, with Chaisson being one of the top defensive substitutions.
Anfernee Jennings is a compelling case. He’s served as one of the team’s best run defenders over the last couple of seasons but does not quite fit Vrabel’s defensive system. Elijah Ponder is a name I will be watching throughout training camp. If Ponder begins making plays consistently and Jennings is struggling to fit in, the Oklahoma State product could rival Jennings for a roster spot.
LB (4): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Monty Rice
Out: Jahlani Tavai, Marte Mapu, Cam Riley (R*)
As aggressive as the Patriots’ defensive line will be, the defense needs a safeguard to turn a potential touchdown into just a six-yard gain. Robert Spillane is that next line of defense. Christian Ellis proved in 2024 that he can provide upside as a coverage linebacker, and Jack Gibbens, a player Vrabel coached in Tennessee, is carving out a rotational role for himself.
That leaves four players remaining for the final spot, assuming New England only retains four linebackers on the initial roster.
My pick is Monty Rice, who can be a solid rotational piece for the defense. Rice is another player that was retained by Vrabel in 2023 during roster cutdowns.
After suffering a calf injury in the spring, Tavai will be returning to practice a step behind. Marte Mapu is another player with injury concerns, dealing with an undisclosed injury to begin the off-season. The Sacramento State product has dealt with an off-season injury during all three years of his career. As talented as he can be as a full-time linebacker, his health could hold him back.
CB (6): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial Jr.
Out: Brandon Crossley (R*), DJ James, Jordan Polk (R*), Kobee Minor (R), Miles Battle
Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis are set to be one of the top cornerback duos in the NFL in 2025. Marcus Jones is not only a fairly reliable slot corner, but he also brings home-run value as a punt returner. Alex Austin is a player who will likely position himself as a top rotational piece as well.
However, things get tricky once you progress past Austin…
Isaiah Bolden has the potential to play respectable snaps as a slot corner but did not see a large workload in 2024, and Marcellas Dial Jr. was primarily a special teams asset. Names like Miles Battle and Jordan Polk could very well fight their way onto this roster once training camp kicks into gear. But for now, they remain on the bubble.
S (6): Jabrill Peppers, Kyle Dugger, Craig Woodson (R), Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler, Jaylinn Hawkins
Out: Marcus Epps, Josh Minkins (R*)
One thing I realized when putting this projection together was that there’s no true roster lock in the safety corps. Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger both missed significant time last season and didn’t play up to their standard. Their roles could also vastly change with Mike Vrabel as head coach.
Rookie Craig Woodson is perhaps the closest safety to being a roster lock. He’s a very smart player who thrives in zone coverage, potentially filling the gap left by Devin McCourty. Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler play critical special teams roles, and both proved they can be quality rotational pieces.
I also have Jaylinn Hawkins sneaking onto the roster, as the veteran has been heavily involved with the top defensive units throughout spring practices.
ST (3): Andres Borregales (R), Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby (R*)
Out: Parker Romo
Sixth-round rookie Andrew Borregales went 19/20 in spring practices and is the favorite to win the starting kicker job over Parker Romo. Undrafted rookie Julian Ashby has been the team’s long snapper following the release of Joe Cardona.
