By Andrew Guindon
NEFJ Correspondent
Following a 2-1 preseason record and months of evaluating the talent on the team’s current roster, the New England Patriots now turn their attention to roster cutdowns. 4 p.m. Aug. 26 (ET) is the deadline for NFL franchises to reduce their rosters to just 53 players.
Friday morning, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel announced that the organization had released 14 players, which puts the roster at a total of 76 players. A minimum of 23 transactions will need to be made by Tuesday’s deadline.
What players may sneak onto the roster with strong summer performances, and who may miss the cut?
QB (2): Drake Maye, Josh Dobbs
It is very unlikely that the Patriots keep one quarterback on the initial 53-man roster. Josh Dobbs is a quality backup quarterback in the NFL and would likely be claimed off of waivers or signed quickly; he won’t make it to the practice squad.
Recently released quarterback and undrafted rookie free agent Ben Wooldridge could be an option for the practice squad if he clears waivers. The organization could also look for outside talent to fill that role.
RB (4): Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson, JaMycal Hasty
OUT: Terrell Jennings
Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson are going to be the focal points of the Patriots’ run game, with Antonio Gibson factoring in as another receiving threat who can also work in between the tackles. JaMycal Hasty, who was re-signed to the team very late into the summer, has carved out a role for himself as a quality health-insurance running back. The 28-year-old was also a core special teamer with New England in 2024.
Terrell Jennings has shown some flashes but seems primed for a practice squad role as a player who could be elevated to the active roster when needed.
TE (3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover
OUT: CJ Dippre, Gee Scott Jr.
Veterans Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper were reliable targets and often safety blankets for Drake Maye during his rookie season in 2024; either player being cut would be a colossal surprise. Second-year tight end Jack Westover has served as the team’s fullback since Brock Lampe was placed on season-ending injured reserve. The 26-year-old can also be utilized as a receiving threat, and he’s shown enough this summer to earn a roster spot.
WR (6): Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, Efton Chism III
OUT: Javon Baker, John Jiles, Jeremiah Webb
IR: Kendrick Bourne
Season-Ending IR: Ja’Lynn Polk
Surprisingly, when compared to past years, the Patriots’ wide receiver room consists of six players who can all be considered “roster locks.” Stefon Diggs (if he is healthy), DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins all seem to be the top receivers, with Kyle Williams and Kayshon Boutte serving as the top rotations. Undrafted rookie Efton Chism III is also poised to make the roster after an exceptional showing in joint practices and in the Week 2 preseason matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
According to multiple reports, former 2024 second-round draft selection Ja’Lynn Polk was placed on season-ending injured reserve to get surgery on his injured shoulder. Another receiver battling an injury, suffered in the open-stadium scrimmage earlier this month, is Kendrick Bourne, who hasn’t been seen since. The team can place two players on injured reserve whom they can delegate for return mid-season, and Bourne could be headed in that direction.
As successful as a gunner on the punt unit Javon Baker has been this summer, he has yet to show that he can be a reliable target on offense. The second-year receiver could be a practice squad priority, but there’s a fair chance he gets poached by another team quickly. John Jiles and Jeremiah Webb have had a decent summer and shown playmaking flashes. They could be practice squad priorities.
OL (9): Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Marcus Bryant, Vederian Lowe, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Garrett Bradbury, Ben Brown, Caedan Wallace
OUT: Demontrey Jacobs, Jack Conley, Cole Strange, Sidy Sow, Layden Robinson, Mehki Butler, Alec Lindstrom
There are seven players on the offensive line that are likely going to make the roster based on each player’s usage. Will Campbell, Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses are locked into their respective starting roles, while Jared Wilson, Garrett Bradbury, and Ben Brown continue to rotate at the left guard and center spots. 2025 seventh-round draft selection Marcus Bryant has been the top rotational tackle during the second half of the summer, training on both sides to be a swing tackle.
For further depth, whether it be long-term through the season or briefly while the front office and coaching staff search for talent on the waiver wire, Vederian Lowe and Caedan Wallace are likely the next backups in line on the unofficial depth chart. Additionally, as much effort and hard work as Cole Strange has put into his craft over the years, nursing critical injuries, he has been overpowered by larger-framed defensive linemen throughout the summer on a continuous basis.
DL (5): Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
OUT: Jahvaree Ritzie, David Olajiga
Milton Williams and Christian Barmore will be the two wrecking balls up front, with Khyiris Tonga serving as the big-body nose tackle that can take up space on early downs while also offering decent upside penetrating the backfield on passing downs. 2025 fourth-round draft selection Joshua Farmer will continue to develop behind those three.
Jeremiah Pharms played a heavy rotational role in 2024 and will likely continue to play in that role this season. Mike Vrabel and company may search for talent on the waiver wire at the defensive forefront as well.
EDGE (6): Keion White, Harold Landry, K’Lavon Chaisson, Bradyn Swinson, Elijah Ponder, Truman Jones
OUT: Anfernee Jennings
Harold Landry, K’Lavon Chaisson and Keion White are all poised to play significant roles on defense this season. Undrafted rookie free agent Elijah Ponder and second-year defensive end Truman Jones likely played their way onto the roster with how effective they’ve been throughout the summer. Ponder received high praise from outside linebackers coach Mike Smith on Aug. 19 after practice, when Smith described the Cal Poly product as “one of the best free agent pickups” he’s ever seen.
As for longtime edge setter Anfernee Jennings, the 28-year-old has drawn interest from other teams as a trade target, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. In addition, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reported on August 20 that Jennings is on the trade block. In this projection, I have Jennings getting shipped for a player swap or late-round draft capital, despite his past and current summer success with the team.
LB (4): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Marte Mapu
OUT: Cam Riley
IR: Jahlani Tavai
Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss are projected starters on defense, with Jack Gibbens factoring in as the top rotational linebacker. Jahlani Tavai would be the fourth linebacker; however, he’s been nursing a lower-body injury for several weeks and may be subject to short-term injured reserve. That transaction would thrust Marte Mapu into that role, who has performed well late in camp while serving a role on special teams.
CB (5): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, DJ James
OUT: Miles Battle, Kobee Minor, Brandon Crossley
Oregon State product Alex Austin continues to improve as time progresses, and DJ James is another young player who has had a very successful summer in terms of performance. He played himself into that last rotational spot on the active roster.
The defense has seen success with second-year cornerback Miles Battle on the field, who has churned out great days of practice, but with James performing as well as he has, it’s not entirely necessary to create a sixth spot for Battle. He could be poached on the waiver wire, but I’d assume the coaching staff would fight hard to retain him on the practice squad.
S (6): Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, Brenden Schooler, Kyle Dugger, Dell Pettus.
OUT: Marcus Epps
The latter half of the safety room remains slightly unstable in terms of depth and could be another position the team targets on waivers. Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, and Craig Woodson all have seen consistent reps with the top defensive unit.
On the other hand, Kyle Dugger has seen his usage continue to drop over the past couple of weeks, playing through the fourth quarter during New England’s preseason matchups. Dugger is another name on the trade block, according to the Boston Herald, but his fairly expensive contract could deter teams from offering anything significant. The 29-year-old could still turn things around.
ST (3): Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby, Andres Borregales
OUT: Parker Romo
Bryce Baringer and Julian Ashby have no competition on the roster at their respective positions; however, a kicker battle has been in play this summer between Andres Borregales and Parker Romo. Although both kickers have performed relatively at the same level, I’m going to give the upper hand to Borregales because of the potential that comes with his sixth-round draft capital.