After a busy few days of transactions, the New England Patriots have officially set their initial 53-man roster. Despite the first roster being put together, plenty of movement is still set to transpire over the next several days.
“I think the next 10 days will be very fluid,” head coach Mike Vrabel said Friday. “As you guys all know, covering this league, there will be players that will come onto our roster, maybe from other teams, maybe there won’t. We’ll have to get down to 53 and then eventually
a practice squad and the mix of practice squad players, of veterans and young players that may develop, or ones that you know we could activate.”
The Patriots will continue to tinker with the roster through the trade market and waiver wire, where they currently hold the No. 4 overall claim. However, with a full initial roster, a corresponding move would have to be made for any player successfully claimed — perhaps by moving players on the active roster to the injured reserve list, as they now have eligibility to return after a minimum of four games.
Additionally, New England will begin the process of putting their practice squad together.
For now, however, let’s analyze the team’s initial 53-man squad.
Eight deep
The Patriots wide receiver room featured perhaps the most active competition on the roster, and it ends with eight (!) players on the 53-man roster… for now.
While the top five of Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Kayshon Boutte were locked onto the roster, Efton Chism III, Kendrick Bourne, and Javon Baker all worked their way onto the roster. While the depth chart looks crowded, one of Chism, who has not practiced since preseason game No. 2, or Bourne, who go rolled up on on Aug. 1, could be headed for an injured reserve spot while Baker’s roster spot could be considered more as a special teamer.
O-line watch
Plenty of eyes were on the Patriots offensive line room ahead of cutdown day. In the end, New England keeps nine lineman with a projected starting five from left-to-right consisting of: Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, and Morgan Moses.
As for depth pieces, Vederian Lowe (left) and rookie Marcus Bryant (right) serve as the top two reserve tackles while Caedan Wallace and Ben Brown remain as top interior depth options. New England did release 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange, which leaves just Marcus Jones remaining as the lone member of that draft class.
Trade candidates remain
Based on several reports, the Patriots were open to trading safety Kyle Dugger and edge-setter Anfernee Jennings as they were not viewed as ideal scheme fits in Mike Vrabel’s defense. For now, both veteran defenders remain on the 53-man roster to start the season.
On the offensive side of the ball, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne was viewed as a trade chip in a deep wide receiver room. As mentioned above, Bourne’s injury may have complicated things from a trade perspective. But, New England keeping eight wide receivers leaves the door open for a potential move in the upcoming days.
UDFAs
New England’s rookie free agent class was viewed as an intriguing one from the jump, and fast forward four months later and a pair ends up on the Patriots initial roster. That duo is led by wide receiver Efton Chism III, who built off a strong spring by being New England’s best wide receiver this preseason and on the practice fields in Minnesota. Chism’s lower left leg injury does not appear to be a serious one, which hopefully gets him back on the field for Week 1 preparation.
Joining Chism was on-ball linebacker Elijah Ponder, who outside linebackers coach Mike Smith, who has coached pass rushers for 11 years, recently called “one of the best free agent pickups” he’s ever seen. Ponder also showed the ability to make an impact on special teams this preseason.
Rookie draft class
Outside of the UDFAs, nine of New England’s 11 draftees are included on the initial 53-man roster. Of the two left off, fifth-round pick Bradyn Swinson was perhaps the most noteworthy cut. The pass rusher had a quiet summer and the rise of Elijah Ponder appeared to have bumped Swinson off the roster.
Elsewhere, cornerback Kobee Minor, the final pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, has been waived as New England keeps five cornerbacks. The duo, who were both non-participants in practice this week, would likely be practice squad candidates if they clear waivers.
Kicker winner
Within that rookie class, Andy Borregales’ usage since Minnesota indicated the Patriots kicking competition seemed to be trending towards his direction. That’s where things ultimately ended as New England waived Parker Romo, who put up a strong fight by connecting on roughly 90 percent of all kicks this summer. Borregales, meanwhile, had a lower percentage on more attempts — including a 3-of-5 performance in the preseason — but New England will enter the season with the rookie.
IR rules
For the second straight year, the Patriots took advantage of the league’s new injured reserve rules, which allows each team to place up to two players on IR before the roster cut down deadline with the designation to return. New England designated linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who missed time in the spring with a calf injury before going down early in training camp, to return.
Meanwhile, sophomore wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk was placed on season-ending injured reserve. The 2024 second-round draft pick is set to undergo a second shoulder surgery.
