Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has had three preseason games and nearly a month worth of training camp to decide which 53 players he wants to move forward with before the Sept. 7 opener against the Raiders.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has had three preseason games and nearly a month worth of training camp to decide which 53 players he wants to move forward with before the Sept. 7 opener against the Raiders.Peter Joneleit/Associated Press
FOXBOROUGH — With cutdown set for Tuesday at 4 p.m., let’s project the 53-man roster after three preseason games and a summer of training camp practices . . .
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
The Patriots already addressed this position by releasing third-stringer Ben Wooldridge on Friday. Wooldridge is a candidate to join the practice squad, though the Patriots will likely take a look at the waiver wire for other options.
“You know we’re there at two,” Vrabel said. “We’ll decide about who is, or if we plan on carrying a third quarterback on the 53 or on the practice squad.”
Running back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson
Injured reserve: Brock Lampe, Lan Larison
Cut: Terrell Jennings, JaMycal Hasty
The Patriots have strong depth at this position, with three versatile backs able to play between the tackles and catch passes. Although it’s unclear how the team plans to divvy up the snaps this season, it would be surprising to see a bell cow back because offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has typically relied on a collective effort.
“I kind of like the split back deal,” Gibson said. “The 20-, 30-carry [workload], stuff like that, that’s wear and tear on the body. If you can do it, you can do it, as long as you take care of your body. But me, personally, I have nothing against splitting. It helps the body. It saves the season. Once you push for that long run to the Super Bowl, everybody’s fresh.”
Antonio Gibson (left) will likely be splitting snaps with Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
Antonio Gibson (left) will likely be splitting snaps with Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.Abbie Parr/Associated Press
If the Patriots carry a fourth back, Hasty would probably be the choice because of his experience and ability to play on special teams. The 28-year-old Hasty does not have to clear waivers to be signed to the practice squad.
Wide receiver (7): Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism , Javon Baker
Injured reserve: Ja’Lynn Polk
Cut: Kendrick Bourne, John Jiles, Jeremiah Webb
After a quiet start to camp, Chism has stacked about two weeks of consistency in both practices and preseason games. His play strength, work ethic, physicality, and ability to contribute on special teams have all earned praise from the coaching staff and front office. Even though Chism hasn’t practiced since the preseason game against Minnesota because he’s dealing with an injury, the Patriots should already have a strong idea of what they have in him.
Baker, on the other hand, has popped in practice with some impressive catches during 11-on-11 periods with the second team. But he didn’t show up in any of the preseason games, despite significant snaps and favorable matchups against third- or fourth-stringers. While fighting for a spot on the roster, Baker has embraced potential roles on special teams as a gunner and kick returner. Is that enough to warrant a spot?
Tight end (2): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper
Cut: Gee Scott Jr., Jack Westover, C.J. Dippre
Tight end is one of several positions on New England’s roster where the starters are critical because the depth is severely lacking. Both Henry and Hooper are expected to be heavily involved in the offense this season, but nobody else in the room flashed to earn a spot on the roster. Of the bunch, Westover is the next man up and will likely return to the practice squad if he clears waivers. The Patriots could instead turn to the waiver wire for depth.
Offensive line (9): Will Campbell, Ben Brown, Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu, Garrett Bradbury, Jared Wilson, Caedan Wallace, Marcus Bryant, Vederian Lowe, Demontrey Jacobs
Cut: Cole Strange, Mekhi Butler, Jack Conley, Alec Lindstrom
Vrabel has been hesitant to finalize the starting offensive line, at least publicly, but four of the five spots seem locked up: Moses at right tackle, Onwenu at right guard, Bradbury at center, and Campbell at left tackle. The only question is whether Wilson or Brown will start at left guard.
The group of backups has been much more fluid throughout camp. Based on their usage in practices and preseason games, Bryant and Lowe are the top contenders as swing tackles with Jacobs also in the mix. Whichever of Wilson and Brown doesn’t start will be the top interior backup, followed by Wallace.
The Patriots will be active on the waiver wire looking to bolster their depth, so it would not be shocking to see more shuffling among the backups.
Defensive line (10): Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Harold Landry, K’Lavon Chaisson, Bradyn Swinson, Truman Jones, Anfernee Jennings, Elijah Ponder
Injured reserve: Jaquelin Roy, Isaiah Iton
Cut: Jeremiah Pharms, Jahvaree Ritzie, David Olajiga
If this group seems large, it’s because it consists of both defensive tackles and edge rushers. The Patriots have totally revamped their front seven with new faces within a new scheme. There doesn’t seem to be a fit for Jennings, who has been available in trade talks, but he probably sticks around if the Patriots can’t find a taker because he’s still a solid run-defending edge setter.
Linebacker (5): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai, Marte Mapu
Cut: Monty Rice, Cam Riley, R.J. Moten
Mapu has been on the roster bubble, but he’s trending upward after a strong showing in the preseason finale. The Patriots are so thin at off-ball linebacker that they could use an additional body, especially since Tavai hasn’t practiced since the first week of training camp. This position is another one where the Patriots could turn to the waiver wire for depth.
Linebacker Marte Mapu is one player firmly on the bubble for making the team.
Linebacker Marte Mapu is one player firmly on the bubble for making the team.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, D.J. James
Injured reserve: Marcellas Dial Jr.
Cut: Kobee Minor, Miles Battle, Brandon Crossley
This group has been pretty settled, as Austin and James have stepped up in the absences of Gonzalez and Davis. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Patriots also looked for additional depth on the waiver wire.
Safety (6): Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins, Jabrill Peppers, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler, Craig Woodson
Cut: Marcus Epps, Josh Minkins
It looks as though Hawkins, Peppers, and Woodson will form New England’s rotation of top safeties, making Dugger available on the trade market. If the Patriots can’t strike a deal, though, it doesn’t make a lot of sense for the team to release him because of the salary cap implications. Safety is one of the few positions where the team actually boasts depth, so they might as well retain Dugger and hope he’s able to return to form.
.@KingDugg_3 with the INT!
📺: @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/9Loixq69wt
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 22, 2025
Special teams (3): Julian Ashby, Bryce Baringer, Parker Romo
Cut: Andres Borregales
Romo has the edge over Borregales, who missed kicks of 49 and 57 yards during the preseason games. The competition has been so close that it wouldn’t surprise me if the Patriots opted to keep Borregales because they spent a draft pick on him.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.