As Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf make over the Patriots roster, the team made a series of roster transactions moving on from several players they recently signed to futures contracts.
The Patriots released veteran center Lecitus Smith, linebacker Curtis Jacobs, tackle Caleb Jones, linebacker, and Andrew Parker Jr. on Friday. These moves bring the Patriots roster down to 69 players. That means they have 21 open spots on their 90-man roster. They’re scheduled to have nine picks in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
Smith, 26, was signed to the Patriots 53-man roster last season on Oct. 15. The team signed him off the Packers practice squad. Smith provided depth at the center position after the Patriots lost David Andrews to a season-ending torn rotator cuff. Smith was a sixth-round pick by Arizona in 2022. He played in eight games for the Patriots last season with one start as a tackle-eligible tight end.
The Patriots moved on from Andrews this offseason, but have four centers on the roster - Garrett Bradbury, Ben Brown, Cole Strange, and Jake Andrews.
All the players released on Friday were brought in last season under then-head coach Jerod Mayo.
Jacobs, 23, was claimed off waivers at the end of training camp. The undrafted rookie free agent originally signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played in nine games for the Patriots, making one tackle on defense and three special teams tackles. Jacobs ended the season on the injured reserve on Nov. 19.
Jones, 26, is a massive 6-foot-9, 370-pound tackle. He signed with the Patriots practice squad on Sept. 3 and stayed there all season Jones spent some time on the Green Bay active roster in 2023.
Parker, 24, signed to the Patriots practice squad late last season on Dec, 2. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent and signed with Jasonville last offseason.
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