The Patriots are carrying 11 rookies on their initial 53-man roster, but Bradyn Swinson is not one of them.
The fifth-round edge rusher out of LSU was a surprise cut on Tuesday. Over the course of training camp, Swinson was passed on the depth chart by undrafted free agent Elijah Ponder, who made the team over him.
The Patriots took Swinson at No. 146 overall last spring, long after experts expected he’d be off the board. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had a third round grade on Swinson (No. 100 overall), NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein had him as a Round 3 or 4 projection, and Daniel Jeremiah ranked the edge rusher 87th in his Top 150.
A late bloomer, Swinson was a one year starter at LSU, but finished fifth in the FBS in pressures (59) last season. If he clears waivers, he’ll be eligible to re-sign on New England’s practice squad.
Swinson wasn’t the only 2025 draft pick that didn’t make the cut, as seventh-round cornerback Kobee Minor, taken in the Mr. Irrelevant slot, was also waived on Tuesday.
Here are the 11 rookies that did make the initial 53-man roster:
Round 1, Pick 4: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Round 2, Pick 38: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Round 3, Pick 69: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
Round 3, Pick 95: Jared Wilson, C, Georgia
Round 4, Pick 109: Craig Woodson, S, Cal
Round 4, Pick 137: Joshua Farmer, DL, Florida State
Round 6, Pick 182: Andres Borregales, K, Miami
Round 7, Pick 220: Marcus Bryant, OT, Missouri
Round 7, Pick 251: Julian Ashby, LS, Vanderbilt
Undrafted free agent: Efton Chism III, WR, Eastern Washington
Undrafted free agent: Elijah Ponder, OLB, Cal Poly
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