He’s long, explosive and versatile, able to play multiple positions along the D-line. The sixth-round rookie out of Northwest Missouri State grabbed a roster spot after a promising summer that included a dominant performance in New England’s preseason opener. The Patriots have rostered several D-II products in recent years, from Gunner Olszewski (Bemidji State) to Kyle Dugger (Lenoir-Rhyne) to Matthew Judon (Grand Valley State). Though their expected starters are veterans Jalen Mills and Jonathan Jones, the rest of the Patriots’ rostered corners entered the NFL in 2020 (Myles Bryant), 2021 (Wade) or 2022 (Marcus Jones and Jack Jones). Wade was a ball hawk during training camp –especially during Carolina Panthers week - and can play multiple positions in the secondary.
Eight thoughts pro#
The Patriots opted for upside over experience when filling their final cornerback spot, choosing second-year pro Shaun Wade over journeyman Terrance Mitchell. Director of player personnel Matt Groh on Monday said he feels “very fortunate and very confident” in that group. The Patriots are deeper at tackle, with Justin Herron and Yodny Cajuste backing up the oft-injured Trent Brown and Isaiah Wynn. Kody Russey, an experienced UDFA who played well this summer, also is a candidate to stick around if he clears waivers. (He was LSU’s backup center, but all 17 of his collegiate starts came at left or right guard.) The Patriots could re-sign James Ferentz - a vested veteran who won’t need to clear waivers - after Thornton’s IR move to fill this void, or look for outside reinforcements here. Hines currently is the Patriots’ only reserve interior offensive lineman behind starters Cole Strange, David Andrews and Mike Onwenu, and he has limited snapping experience. (Wilkerson can only play this season if he’s released with an injury settlement.)īill Belichick could look to buttress one or both of these position groups before the season begins. The Patriots released Humphrey, Tre Nixon and Josh Hammond and placed Kristian Wilkerson on season-ending IR. New England’s receiving corps will feature just four players once Thornton shifts to IR: Jakobi Meyers, DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne.
Expect at least one of these players to stick around on the practice squad for insurance purposes. Devin Asiasi, Matt Sokol and Jalen Wydermyer all were cut, as was potential receiver/tight end hybrid Lil’Jordan Humphrey. The Patriots’ initial 53 features zero depth behind top tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, who are expected to be deployed on the field together much more often this season. Hines, a sixth-round pick out of LSU, beat out the likes of James Ferentz, Kody Russey, Arlington Hambright and Will Sherman despite missing all of spring practice and the first half of training camp with an injury. Mitchell and Schooler are UDFAs.- Zack Cox August 30, 2022 Rookies on the Patriots' initial 53-man roster: Undrafted defensive lineman LaBryan Ray also looked like a strong candidate to stick after making plays on a near-daily basis in training camp and the preseason, but he fell short, losing out to veteran Carl Davis and fellow rookies Sam Roberts (sixth round) and DaMarcus Mitchell (UDFA). Initially viewed as a candidate to re-sign after Thornton moves to IR, Bethel posted a farewell message to the Patriots on Instagram, suggesting he’ll be playing elsewhere this season. There were no earth-shaking stunners in this year’s round of final cuts, but a few of New England’s moves did qualify as surprising.Ĭornerback Justin Bethel, one of the NFL’s top punt gunners, was released after ranking second on the team in special teams snaps played last season.
Additional moves are coming.īut for now, here are eight thoughts on the players who did - and didn’t - make the Patriots’ first 53:
Eight thoughts free#
Players who aren’t currently on the roster could come aboard via waiver claims, free agent signings or late-summer trades. Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is expected to be moved to short-term injured reserve as early as Wednesday. This Patriots roster almost certainly will not be identical to the one New England carries into next weekend’s regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Eight Thoughts On Patriots' Initial 53-Man Roster After Cutdown DayĪfter bidding 27 players adieu, the New England Patriots locked in their initial 53-man roster Tuesday afternoon.