The New England Patriots’ first game day roster for the 2025 NFL season is set, and it is deep on rookies. Out of the 48 players who are in a position to see action against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, 10 are about to make their pro football debuts.
Out of those 10, two will start along the offensive line (LT Will Campbell, LG Jared Wilson) with another set to take first-team reps in the secondary (S Jared Wilson). Furthermore, one will be a key rotational piece at running back and in the return
game (RB/KR TreVeyon Henderson), one a core special teamer (ED Elijah Ponder), and two responsible for the kicking operation going smoothly (K Andy Borregales, LS Julian Ashby).
The other three, meanwhile, are all set to offer depth at their respective positions of wide receiver (Kyle Williams), offensive tackle (Marcus Bryant), defensive tackle (Joshua Farmer). Like their teammates, though, they could be asked to take the field at any moment.
Speaking of those teammates, the Patriots’ full game day roster for the season opener looks as follows:
Patriots game day roster: Week 1 vs. Raiders
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye (10), Joshua Dobbs (11)
Running back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), TreVeyon Henderson (32 | KR), Antonio Gibson (4 | KR)
Wide receiver (5): Stefon Diggs (8), DeMario Douglas (3), Kayshon Boutte (9), Mack Hollins (13), Kyle Williams (18)
Tight end (3): Hunter Henry (85), Austin Hooper (81), Jack Westover (37 | FB)
Offensive tackle (4): Will Campbell (66 | LT), Morgan Moses (76 | RT), Marcus Bryant (52), Vederian Lowe (59)
Interior offensive line (4): Jared Wilson (58 | LG), Garrett Bradbury (65 | C), Mike Onwenu (71 | RG), Ben Brown (77)
Interior defensive line (5): Christian Barmore (90), Milton Williams (97), Khyiris Tonga (95), Joshua Farmer (92), Cory Durden (94)
Defensive edge (4): Harold Landry III (2), K’Lavon Chaisson (44), Keion White (99), Elijah Ponder (91)
Linebacker (5): Robert Spillane (14), Christian Elliss (53), Jack Gibbens (51), Marte Mapu (15), Mark Robinson (46 | PS elevation)
Cornerback (5): Carlton Davis III (7), Marcus Jones (25 | PR), Alex Austin (28), D.J. James (30), Corey Ballentine (39 | PS elevation)
Safety (5): Jaylinn Hawkins (21), Craig Woodson (31), Dell Pettus (24), Kyle Dugger (23), Brenden Schooler (41)
Specialists (3): Andy Borregales (36 | K), Bryce Baringer (17 | P | H), Julian Ashby (47 | LS)
Besides the high number of rookies, one thing that stands out is the high number of linebackers. While Anfernee Jennings was made a healthy scratch on the edge, the team still has nine players available between its outside and off-ball linebackers. One would expect some of them — namely Elijah Ponder, Jack Gibbens and Mark Robinson — to see most of their action in the kicking game.
Also on for the game is safety Kyle Dugger. Despite losing his starting job and being subject to trade speculation over the summer, the veteran has made the game day squad. It will be fascinating to see how the Patriots employ him as a projected depth options behind starters Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson.
Patriots reserves
Inactives (7): QB Tommy DeVito (16 | emergency QB), WR Efton Chism III (86), OL Caedan Wallace (70), DT Eric Gregory (55), ED Anfernee Jennings (33), CB Christian Gonzalez (0), CB Charles Woods (22)
Practice squad (13): RB Terrell Jennings (26), WR John Jiles (83), WR Jeremiah Webb (29), TE C.J. Dippre (82), OT Thayer Munford Jr. (74), OL Mehki Butler (63), OL Brenden Jaimes (61), DT Fabien Lovett (72), ED Truman Jones (54), ED Bradyn Swinson (43), LB Darius Harris (42), CB Miles Battle (35), CB Kobee Minor (19)
Practice squad exempt (1): DT David Olajiga (96 | IPPP)
Reserve/injured (10): FB Brock Lampe, OT Yasir Durant, CB Marcellas Dial Jr., DT Jaquelin Roy, RB Lan Larison, RB Deneric Prince, DT Isaiah Iton, G Layden Robinson, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, LB Jahlani Tavai (IR-R)
Reserve/retired (1): OL Wes Schweitzer
New England ruled out seven players for Sunday’s game, including two who were previously listed on the injury report: cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez (hamstring) and Charles Woods (groin) were downgraded to out on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Besides the two defenders, no other inactive is a particular surprise.
The Patriots’ Week 1 game against the Raiders will be kicked off at 1 p.m. ET at Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium.
