The New England Patriots’ offseason workout program is officially a wrap, which allows us some time to decompress and to reassess. And to ask one crucial question: where does Mike Vrabel’s roster stand at this specific point in time?
Granted, the following roster projection is based off of limited information — we only were able to watch three minicamp practices plus two additional sessions during organized team activities this spring — but it nonetheless provides a starting point with training camp on the horizon.
It also shows where the outlook might have changed since the first Pats Pulpit roster projection back after the NFL Draft.
Quarterback
In (3): Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito, Behren Morton (R)
Out (0): —
The first two are locked into their respective roles on the team. Drake Maye is an MVP-caliber quarterback who should only get better in his second season working under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, while Tommy DeVito is an experienced backup who impressed the team with his behind-the-scenes work in 2025.
The bigger question is the third-string spot occupied by rookie Behren Morton. This could just as easily be used for depth elsewhere on the roster, but for now we are including the seventh-round pick as a scout-team QB based on some promising moments this spring.
Running back
In (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Lan Larison
Out (3): Terrell Jennings, Jam Miller (R), Myles Montgomery (U-R)
As is the case at quarterback, there are no questions about what the top of the running back depth chart will look like. Rhamondre Stevenson is a well-established RB1 who the club is high on, while TreVeyon Henderson is an explosive playmaker who should make the famous second-year jump and improve both his vision, gap recognition and pass protection in 2026.
Behind the two, sophomore Lan Larison was the most active player during spring workouts. Larison is a change-of-pace back who also is in the mix on special teams, which gives him the nod over the other backs on the roster — all of whom are projected as practice squad candidates.
Fullback
In (1): Reggie Gilliam
Out (1): Brock Lampe
With Jack Westover increasing his tight end reps again, the fullback competition is down to two players. Free agency pickup Reggie Gilliam is the out-and-out favorite to make the roster between him and Brock Lampe, even though the nature of the offseason workouts prevented either from showing off their skills as lead blockers and pass protectors.
Wide receiver
In (6): A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III
Out (6): Kayshon Boutte, Jeremiah Webb, Kyle Dixon (U-R), Nick DeGennaro (U-R), Jimmy Kibble (U-R), Cameron Dorner (U-R)
Probably no position on the Patriots’ roster has been in the headlines more this offseason than wide receiver, and it continues to be arguably the most intriguing on the team heading toward training camp. What the group will ultimately look like is anybody’s guess at this point in time, but from our point of view six wideouts will end up on the 53-man team come the regular season.
A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs are locks after arriving via high-profile trade and high-priced free agency contract, respectively, this offseason. Mack Hollins also looks like he will again be involved in the mix as a role player, as will be offseason standout DeMario Douglas; the fourth-year man looks more comfortable and was a favorite target for Drake Maye during open practices. Second-year wideouts Kyle Williams and Efton Chism round out the depth chart and could factor into the kickoff returner mix.
The big unknown is Kayshon Boutte. He was part of a three-receiver set featuring Brown and Douglas during minicamp and his presence on the roster is not entirely superfluous. That said, the Patriots will not hesitate moving on from him if the other wideouts look the part in training camp and a suitable trade offer comes in.
Tight end
In (3): Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon (R), Tanner Arkin (U-R)
IR (1): Julian Hill
Out (2): Jack Westover, C.J. Dippre
Free agent Julian Hill might not have arrived in New England with much fanfare, but losing him to a season-ending injury nonetheless changes the complexity at the tight end position. With him out, the depth chart behind captain Hunter Henry is down to four inexperienced options.
Eli Raridon is the only roster lock among them based on his status as a third-round draft pick, but the current TE2 still has a long road ahead before he can play a similar high-volume role Hill was projected to hold in 2026. To replace him on the roster, we currently go with UDFA Tanner Arkin, who offers a similar profile as a blocker. Don’t be surprised to see another roster-caliber addition to the depth chart, however.
Offensive tackle
In (5): Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu (R), Marcus Bryant, Dametrious Crownover (R)
Out (3): James Hudson III, Sebastian Gutierrez, Lorenz Metz
Will Campbell, Morgan Moses and Caleb Lomu will be the Patriots’ three primary tackles in 2026, and the team having to go any deeper for regular contributions would be an ominous sign.
The main question at the position therefore is what that depth behind those top three will look like. Based on lineups rather than actual performance during minicamp and OTAs — no contact makes judging line play rather challenging — we go the “draft and develop” route and project 2025 and 2026 late-round picks Marcus Bryant and Dametrious Crownover will complement Campbell, Moses and Lomu.
Interior offensive line
In (4): Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Ben Brown
Out (5): Caedan Wallace, Andrew Rupcich, Mehki Butler, Jacob Rizy (U-R), JonDarius Morgan (U-R)
Just like at offensive tackle, the Patriots are also set atop their interior offensive line. Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mike Onwenu will fill the two guard spots, with Jared Wilson lining up as the starting center. Ben Brown, meanwhile, is the clear frontrunner to earn the do-it-all backup spot.
Based on the offseason and Caleb Lomu lining up at left guard for some practice reps in minicamp, we will only go four player deep in this spot at the moment. However, it would not be a surprise if one of Andrew Rupcich or Caedan Wallace ends up on the team over a fifth offensive tackle.
Interior defensive line
In (6): Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Leonard Taylor III, Eric Gregory
Out (3): Jeremiah Pharms Jr, David Blay Jr. (U-R), Travis Shaw (U-R)
Even with Khyiris Tonga now in Kansas City, New England did not feel the need to add to the interior defensive line this offseason (apart from two UDFA signings). This suggests that the team likes what it has available, especially in the form of Cory Durden: the second-year Patriot is on his way to take over Tonga’s spot as the third member of the tackle rotation alongside Milton Williams and Christian Barmore.
The other spots will be filled by the same backup crew the Patriots used last year. However, Leonard Taylor and Eric Gregory both appear to be near the bottom of the depth chart and it would not be a surprise to see one of them removed to bolster the depth elsewhere on the team.
Defensive edge
In (5): Harold Landry III, Dre’Mont Jones, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Gabe Jacas (R)
Out (3): Jesse Luketa, Quintayvious Hutchins (R), Xavier Holmes (U-R)
Mike Vrabel expressed some confidence in the Patriots’ edge group when talking to the media at minicamp, but the position has plenty of questions at this point in the process. Neither Harold Landry nor second-round draft pick Gabe Jacas participated in practice this spring, after all, while two of the other three roster-level edges — Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson — are inexperienced and therefore unclear projections when it comes to taking on bigger roles in the rotation.
On paper, this group has the makings of a solid one. Landry and Dre’Mont Jones are proven starters in the NFL; Ponder and Swinson have shown some flashes in practice and their rookie seasons; Jacas was one of the top edges in this year’s draft. If they all play up to their capabilities, the Patriots have a quality rotation available, but whether they will is anybody’s guess at this point in time.
Linebacker
In (4): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Chad Muma, K.J. Britt
Out (4): Otis Reese, Amari Gainer, Namdi Obiazor (R), Khalil Jacobs (U-R)
Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss are not going anywhere, while Chad Muma had an extensive run with the starting defense in minicamp. Free agency signing K.J. Britt projects as the fourth option at the moment especially due to his possible special teams role, while the others — in particular rookies Namdi Obiazor and Khalil Jacobs — will get a crack at the final spot on the depth chart in training camp.
Cornerback
In (5): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Kindle Vildor, Karon Prunty (R)
Out (6): Charles Woods, Kobee Minor, Marcellas Dial Jr, Brandon Crossley, Channing Canada (U-R), Kenneth Harris (U-R)
Even though the entire starting trio of Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones was in and out of the lineup at times during spring practices, there is no questioning it will remain atop the depth chart this year. Where things get interesting, meanwhile, is the depth behind them.
Kindle Vildor, who joined on a one-year free agency deal, looks poised to fill one of those backup spots; he lined up in Christian Gonzalez’s spot with the top-level defense during competitive minicamp periods and fared generally well. We are giving fifth-round rookie Karon Prunty another spot on the team after he had some positive plays in the spring. However, he will be pushed by the likes of Charles Woods, Kobee Minor and Marcellas Dial Jr. in particular.
Safety
In (5): Kevin Byard III, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus, Mike Brown, Brenden Schooler
Out (2): John Saunders Jr, Peter Manuma
With the Patriots hardly rotating their defensive backs, Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson playing a high volume of snaps at safety should be expected. This means that special teams will also play a big role in the quest for backup spots behind them, and all three of Dell Pettus, Mike Brown and Brenden Schooler have the makings of core kicking game contributors.
Specialists
In (3): Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby
Out (0): —
The Patriots had rookie punter Devin Bale in town for a tryout during minicamp, but he was not signed to the roster. This means that they still have three specialists on their roster right now, and that all three are headed toward the 53-man team as things currently stand.
