Tuesday’s roster cutdown deadline brought hundreds of transactions across the NFL. A significant portion of them — those with fewer than four accrued seasons in the league — were placed on the waiver wire: where teams have until 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday to put in claims in order to add them to their 53-man rosters.
The New England Patriots, who have the fourth spot in the waiver claim priority, have a full 53-man roster as of now. However, head coach Mike Vrabel noted that roster will continue to be fluid
over the upcoming days as they continue to search for upgrades.
With that being said, let’s take a look at 10 potential targets that would make sense.
QB Tommy Devito
Following the release of quarterback Ben Wooldridge, New England is left with just Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs on their quarterback depth chart. It should be expected that a third quarterback enters the building in some capacity (perhaps via the practice squad).
With first-round pick Jaxson Dart joining veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston on the roster in New York, the Giants waived Tommy DeVito, who has eight NFL starts to his name, fresh off of a three touchdown preseason finale against New England.
FB Jakob Johnson
New England’s former fullback does not qualify for waivers, but Johnson is a clear target after being released by the Texans. With Josh McDaniels back in town, the Patriots were set to role with Brock Lampe at fullback before the UDFA landed on IR. Enter Johnson, who provides the more traditional fullback role and has ample experience working with McDaniels.
TE Greg Dulcich
The third tight end spot in New England behind Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper was ultimately won by Jack Westover, whose versatility as a fullback helped pave his way to a roster spot. But with the opportunity to add a more traditional fullback as mentioned above, the Patriots could look for an upgrade at tight end.
Dulcich has been quiet and dealt with injuries since a productive rookie season with the Broncos back in 2022, but is coming off a productive preseason with three touchdowns (two against the Patriots).
TE Treyton Welch
Elsewhere at tight end, Welch was a surprise cut in New Orleans after a strong preseason in which he caught six passes for 65 yards in addition to playing four special teams units. The Patriots could look for a tight with more in-line ability, with Jelani Woods being a name to watch after being released from Indianapolis, but Welch is a good athlete who is at his best as a move tight end.
He also spent his rookie training camp with the Cleveland Browns — where Mike Vrabel was on staff — before joining the Saints practice squad last season.
OT Esa Pole
An undrafted free agent out of Washington State, the 6-foot-7 left tackle had an extremely impressive preseason for the Kansas City Chiefs as he did not allow a pressure in 49 pass blocking snaps. That comes after he did not allow a sack on 499 snaps all last season for the Cougars, making him a potential waiver wire priority with NFL teams searching for tackle depth.
OT Javon Foster
A fourth-round pick in 2024, Foster finds himself looking for a new home as a new regime leaves their mark in Jacksonville. While Foster did not play an offensive snap his rookie season, he left Missouri as a team captain with 39 straight starts at left tackle under his belt — where he was named a Third-Team All-American and a First-Team All-SEC member in 2023. The experience and traits (6’5”, 34-plus inch arms) could make him an intriguing developmental piece.
OL Seth McLaughlin
Prior to suffering a torn achilles in mid-November, McLaughlin was tracking to be the second pure center drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft behind Patriots draft pick Jared Wilson. He has plenty of collegiate experience with 35 starts at center to his name — with 10 coming at Ohio State last season after he transferred from Alabama — and is an intelligent player, but could use some more time to return to full strength as he did not return to the field in Cincinnati until late July.
ED DeMarvin Leal
A third-round pick in 2022, Leal spent his time in Pittsburgh bouncing back-and-forth between the edge and interior of their defensive line. The production never came along the Steelers’ 3-4 front as he recorded just one-career sack. A change of scenery in to a more attacking four-down front defense like New England’s could lead to better results and bolster the Patriots’ depth along the defensive line.
LB Gabriel Murphy
The 24-year old pass rusher was surprise cut to some observers in Minnesota. Murphy, who the Patriots saw first hand in joint practices this summer, had a strong preseason with eight pressures and five QB hits in two games — including three pressures (two hits) in the contest against New England.
CB JuJu Brents
A former second-round pick in 2023, injuries have been the biggest challenge for Brents as he’s been limited to just 11 games to start his career. But, the 6-foot-3 corner has plenty of talent and could add an intriguing piece to a Patriots cornerback room that features just five players.
Also of note: Patriots cornerback coach Justin Hamilton spent last season working with Brents as the Colts assistant defensive backs coach.
Former Titans
Many of the Patriots free agent additions this offseason had ties to the current coaching staff, and it would not be a surprise if that continued when it comes to potential waiver claims.
Tight end Josh Whyle and offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan are two of Mike Vrabel’s former 2023 draftees that will reach waivers after being released by the Titans on Tuesday. Interior lineman Andrew Rupcich, who was on the Titans practice squad in ‘22 and ‘23, where he appeared in five games, before making the 53-man roster last season, was also waived.
