Karen Guregian: Breaking down the Patriots roster

Thanks to free agency and the draft, the Patriots roster has undergone quite a facelift.

Mike Vrabel hasn’t been afraid to part with established veterans, and add players that align with the identity he wants associated with his team.

Combing through the position groups, there will be plenty of competition for jobs and plenty of changes.

And with that, it’s also easy to see talent upgrades and more depth across the board.

Since the roster exceeds the 90-player limit, Vrabel will have to do some trimming.

But for now, this is the roster that’s been assembled, and how it shapes up going forward.

Quarterbacks (3)

Joshua Dobbs, Drake Maye, Ben Wooldridge (UDFA)

Overview: For 2025, it’s the Drake Maye Show. And everyone else is along for the ride.

Dobbs, who was added in free agency, takes over for Jacoby Brissett as the primary backup and veteran presence in the room.

Wooldridge was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana and, at the very least, provides a camp arm in wake of the Patriots trading Joe Milton III to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this month.

Running Backs (6)

Antonio Gibson, TreVeyon Henderson (R), Terrell Jennings, Brock Lampe (UDFA), Lan Larison (UDFA), Rhamondre Stevenson

Overview: The addition of Henderson adds a little more sizzle to this group. The Ohio State rookie has the capabilities of being three-down back, but will likely be used as part of a three-headed monster with Stevenson and Gibson.

With Josh McDaniels once again calling the offense, no surprise seeing the team add Lampe, a fullback. Lampe, however, isn’t a lock to make it.

Beyond that, Larison is an intriguing addition. He produced eye-popping stats (2,300 all-purpose yards, 23 TDs) at UC Davis. He’ll battle Jennings for a roster spot.

Wide Receivers (13)

Javon Baker, Demeer Blankumsee (UDFA), Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Efton Chism (UDFA), Stefon Diggs, Demario Douglas, Mack Hollins, JaQuae Jackson, John Jiles, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jeremiah Webb (UDFA), Kyle Williams (R)

Overview: Let the battles begin.

The Patriots are likely to carry five, maybe six receivers (depending on Diggs’ readiness) at the outset.

Rookie Williams, a third-round pick, pretty much has an automatic ticket to a spot given his big-play ability.

After that Douglas and Hollins seem secure, and perhaps Bourne, who performed well in McDaniels system a few years back.

Boutte, Polk and Baker will be fighting to maintain their turf while undrafted wideouts Chism and Webb are worth keeping an eye on.

Chism broke Cooper Kupp’s FCS record by catching a pass in 53 straight games. He also broke Kupp’s school record for receptions (120).

Tight Ends (7)

Jaheim Bell, C.J. Dippre (UDFA), Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Giovanni Ricci, Gee Scott Jr. (UDFA), Jack Westover

Overview: This boils down to Henry, Hooper and a third tight end to be named later.

Bell did little his rookie season, and is facing stiff competition to hang onto his job.

Dippre (Alabama), who was expected to get drafted in the fifth of sixth round, and Scott (Ohio State) come from notable programs.

Westover is a carryover from last season. Ricci is another who could be used in a fullback role.

Offensive Linemen (18)

Jake Andrews, Cole Birdow (UDFA), Garrett Bradbury, Ben Brown, Marcus Bryant (R), Will Campbell (R), Jack Conley (UDFA), Demontrey Jacobs, Vederian Lowe, Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu, Layden Robinson, Tyrese Robinson, Wes Schweitzer, Sidy Sow, Cole Strange, Caedan Wallace, Jared Wilson (R)

Overview: Across the board, the line seems much more formidable than the past few seasons.

For now, pencil in Campbell at left tackle. Even with short arms, he’s an upgrade over Lowe, who is likely going to be relegated to backup duty. Right tackle (Moses) and right guard (Onwenu) are pretty much locks at their positions.

As for swing tackle, Wallace seems like a good candidate for that role.

Bradbury is the likely starter at center, but will be pushed by rookie Wilson, who is a lock to crack the 53-man roster, Brown, Andrews and perhaps, Strange.

The biggest mystery lies at left guard. Anything could happen there with Layden Robinson, Sow, Strange, Andrews and Brown all in the mix.

All told, this massive group will be sliced in half, or close to it, at the end of training camp.

Defensive Tackles (10)

Christian Barmore, Joshua Farmer (R), Marcus Harris, Eric Johnson, Wilfried Pene (UDFA), Jeremiah Pharms Jr. Jahvaree Ritzie (UDFA), Jaquelin Roy, Khyiris Tonga, Milton Williams

Overview: Williams, the $104 million dollar man, is now the headliner of the group. But he has company.

Barmore, if healthy and fully recovered from last year’s blood clots, will combine with Williams to make a dynamic 1-2 punch up front.

Add in rookie Farmer, who sure looks like a fourth-round steal, and the Patriots should pack a wallop.

Pharms, Roy and Tonga add depth to a group that is poised to wreak some havoc in the middle.

Edge Rushers (8)

K’Lavon Chaisson, Anfernee Jennings, Truman Jones, Harold Landry, Titus Leo, Elijah Ponder (UDFA), Bradyn Swinson (R) Keion White

Overview: The Patriots had the league’s worst pass rush last season, notching just 28 sacks.

They’re banking on a few new additions to change that narrative with Landry arriving via Tennessee, and Swinson via the draft.

Swinson, who is disruptive coming off the edge, is another who could be a great value pick from the fifth round.

As for White, who showed such promise his rookie season, the hope is for him to get back on track with Terrell Williams running the show as the defensive coordinator.

Also in the pass rush arsenal will be Chaisson, who arrived in free agency, and Jennings, who has been a steady performer in recent years.

Ponder, a standout pass rusher for Cal Poly, might also sneak into the mix.

Linebackers (6)

Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Monty Rice, Cam Riley (UDFA), Robert Spillane, Jahlani Tavai

Overview: Ja’Whaun Bentley, who had become the face of the linebacker group, was let go.

That’s because Vrabel signed some of his former players including Spillane and Gibbens, who figure to have prominent roles at the second level of the defense as Vrabel is looking for more speed from this group.

Elliss was re-signed and fits into that equation. It’ll be interesting to see if Tavai still has a role, and what that might be.

Cornerbacks (10)

Alex Austin, Miles Battle, Isaiah Bolden, Carlton Davis III, Brandon Crossley (UDFA), Marcellas Dial, Christian Gonzalez, D. J. James, Marcus Jones, Kobee Minor (R)

Overview: Gonzalez and Davis form one of the best outside cornerback duos in the league. That’s a good place to start.

In the slot, Marcus Jones would appear to have a leg up as the starter in that role.

Austin, Battle and Crossley are likely to compete as depth options on the outside.

Bolden, Dial and James will duke it out on the inside.

As for Minor, the new Mr. Irrelevant after being taken with the final pick in the draft, he has inside/outside flexibility.

Safeties (11)

Kyle Dugger, Marcus Epps, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marte Mapu, Josh Minkins (UDFA), Jabrill Peppers, Mark Perry, Dell Pettus, Jordan Polk (UDFA), Brenden Schooler, Craig Woodson (R)

Overview: Dugger and Peppers are the incumbent starters. Hawkins also saw quite a bit of time last season. There could be a surprise cut somewhere in this group, with competition heating up thanks to the addition of Epps in free agency, and Woodson via the draft.

Woodson will surely be in contention to start as a free safety.

Mapu and Pettus are returning players, so they also factor into the competition. Schooler is a lock thanks to being a second-team All-Pro special teamers.

Special Teams (5)

Julian Ashby (R), Bryce Baringer, Andres Borregales (R), Joe Cardona, John Parker Romo

Overview: Punter Baringer currently has no competition, so it appears his job is safe.

That’s far from the case with the kickers and long snapper.

Miami’s Borregales, a sixth-round pick, will go toe-to-toe with Romo for the kicking job.

Ditto veteran Cardona and rookie Ashby at long snapper.

Cardona, by the way, stands as the lone remaining player on the roster from the Patriots Super Bowl winning teams.

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