The New England Patriots’ defensive tackle position is heading into an uncertain few weeks. Christian Barmore’s legal situation has yet to be resolved, while three members of the group are about to enter free agency.
Among them is fourth-year man Jaquelin Roy, who is a restricted free agent. Will the Patriots bring him back? Let’s assess his situation.
Hard facts
Name: Jaquelin Roy
Position: Defensive tackle/Interior defensive line
Jersey number: —
Opening day age: 25 (10/22/2000)
Measurements: 6’3 3/8”, 305 lbs,
32 3/4” arm length, 10 1/8” hand size, 5.17s 40-yard dash, 8.01s 3-cone drill, 5.00s short shuttle, 26” vertical jump, 8’5” broad jump, 30 bench press reps, 3.72 Relative Athletic Score
Experience
NFL teams: Minnesota Vikings (2023), New England Patriots (2024-) | College: LSU (2020-22)
Roy was destined to play college football at LSU. Born in Baton Rouge, he attended LSU Laboratory School and as a four-star recruit eventually joined the Tigers after a bit of a back-and-forth. In two seasons with the school, he appeared in 35 games with 13 starts and registered 97 tackles, four sacks and three fumble recoveries.
After his junior season, he decided to leave school and declared for the NFL Draft. Roy was selected 141st overall in the fifth round by the Vikings, and he ended up playing 12 games as a rookie in 2023. However, he was let go the following summer and after a two-week stint on the open market found his way to New England.
Since joining the Patriots, he added six more games and a pair of sacks to his career totals — all of the production coming in 2024.
2025 review
Stats: N/A
Season recap: When the Patriots signed Roy from their practice squad to their active roster in October 2024, they did so via a two-year deal that also allowed him to compete the following season. However, he did not get much opportunity to do so.
On August 4, during the 10th practice of New England’s training camp, Roy left follwing a 1-on-1 drill. He did not return and the following day was placed on season-ending injured reserve because of an undisclosed ailment. This meant that he saw a second straight season come to a premature end due to injury, after already being moved to IR with a foot issue the previous December.
Free agency preview
Free agency status: Restricted free agent (RFA)
What is his contract history? Roy signed a four-year, $4.2 million contract with the Vikings when he was drafted, but he ended up earning only around a quarter of the deal’s total value. In fact, more than half of his $2.3 million career earnings as calculated by Over the Cap have come after the Patriots picked him up in 2024.
Which teams might be in the running? Considering that Roy has been a role player ever since arriving in the NFL, even defensive line-needy teams will not overextend to bring him on board. That said, teams such as the Dolphins, Steelers, Bengals, Chargers, Falcons or Cardinals could all be interested in his services as a depth piece should he make it to the open market.
Why should he be expected back? Roy has experience in the Patriots’ system, played some solid football in 2024, and could serve as defensive tackle security in case one or both of Christian Barmore and Khyiris Tonga are not back in 2026. While he would not be a starter-level contributor, he would offer value as a well-rounded presence capable of playing on early downs and rushing the passer.
Why should he be expected to leave? The Patriots got virtually nothing out of Roy in 2025, but simultaneously received some solid contributions from players such as Cory Durden or Leonard Taylor. With those two still under contract as well as 2025 rookies Joshua Farmer and Eric Gregory also in the mix, New England’s decision makers simply might not see a need to retain Roy.
What is his projected free agency outcome? With even the lowest restricted free agency level set at around $3.52 million, the Patriots will forgo tendering Roy and instead let him enter the free market. While he could ultimately return to New England on a one-year minimum deal worth a non-guaranteed $1.075 million, especially f Tonga leaves as well, our current projection is that he will be let go.
Now it’s your turn to play GM: What would you do with Jaquelin Roy? Tender him? Re-sign him? Let him leave? Please head down to the comment section to share your plan.
