Patriots 53-man roster projection: Vrabel transformed the depth chart. Now who makes it?

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When he took over as coach, Mike Vrabel hinted that change was coming to the New England Patriots’ roster.

It started with a defensive overhaul during free agency. Then he spent the first day of the NFL Draft addressing the team’s biggest need, Day 2 adding explosiveness on offense, and the third day plugging the Patriots’ remaining holes.

Now it’s about time to hit the field for some actual practices.

But before the Patriots do, let’s take stock of where they stand by offering our first roster projection. Whenever there’s a new coach or regime, change typically follows. So there will be some surprise cuts come the end of August. This projection tries to take an early guess at where those surprises might be (including three undrafted free agents making the team) and examines what the 53-man roster might look like when the season kicks off. Let’s dive in.

Quarterbacks

In: Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs

Out: Ben Wooldridge

I wasn’t shocked that the Patriots didn’t draft a quarterback. Why trade Joe Milton if you’re going to use a pick there? And besides, your No. 3 quarterback really isn’t that important. If your season gets to the point where you’re relying on that guy, things have already gone seriously wrong. They added Wooldridge, who completed 66 percent of his passes last season at Louisiana Lafayette, as an undrafted free agent. But the guess here is they’ll find their No. 3 quarterback after cut day when they see who doesn’t make a roster elsewhere.

Running backs

In: TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Lan Larison

Out: Terrell Jennings, Brock Lampe

Larison, who put up massive numbers (1,465 yards and 17 touchdowns) at UC Davis, is one of the more intriguing undrafted free agents the Pats signed. He also has decent hands as a receiver. Lampe is a fullback, and Vrabel does have a track record of keeping fullbacks. But without seeing practices yet to learn how much they’ll use a fullback, I’m keeping four running backs and no Lampe.

Wide receivers

In: Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk

Out: Kendrick Bourne, Javon Baker, John Jiles, DeMeer Blankumsee, Efton Chism, Jeremiah Webb

This is probably where the most intense training camp competitions will take place. Most teams keep five or six wide receivers on the roster, and the Pats will have a tough time getting down to just six. Diggs, Hollins, Williams, and Douglas should safely make the team, but everything else is up in the air. The guess for now is that the biggest battle is between Polk and Bourne. And the early prediction is that the Patriots bank on getting more out of Polk than Bourne, who will turn 30 during training camp.

Tight ends

In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, CJ Dippre

Out: Gee Scott Jr., Jaheim Bell, Jack Westover

Dippre was one of the most coveted undrafted free agents with a good athletic profile. When it comes to late-round tight ends, it’s best to bet on traits over production. The Patriots did that with Dippre (who had a 10-foot broad jump) and Scott (who ran a 4.62-second 40). But I went with Dippre for the last tight end spot because he is a better run blocker, and the Pats could use that, given that Henry and Hooper both excel as receivers.

Offensive line

In: Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Cole Strange, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, Wes Schweitzer

Out: Layden Robinson, Marcus Bryant, Sidy Sow, Ben Brown, Tyrese Robinson, Demontrey Jacobs, Jack Conley, Cole Birdow

The battle for the starting left guard job will be intriguing, and there is no shortage of possibilities. Wilson, Strange, Robinson, Schweitzer, and Sow will all get long looks. But the early guess is that Wilson gets that job with the team betting on the upside that could come with him playing — even if he is moved to center next year. Cutting Robinson wasn’t easy, but this is a cramped group at the bottom of the guard depth chart. Also, while I wasn’t bold enough to pick it this early, I think there’s a chance Bryant makes the team as the fourth tackle over Wallace.

Defensive line

In: Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White, Harold Landry, Joshua Farmer, Bradyn Swinson, Anfernee Jennings, K’Lavon Chaisson, Khyiris Tonga

Out: Jeremiah Pharms, Truman Jones, Jaquelin Roy, Eric Johnson, Wilfried Pene, Elijah Ponder

This is a crowded group, especially among edge rushers, which will make for some tough decisions. I really wanted to put Ponder, who signed with the Pats after going undrafted, on the team given his great athletic profile, but I couldn’t find a way to squeeze him in. Still, he has a chance to surprise some people in camp.

Linebackers

In: Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jahlani Tavai, Jack Gibbens, Monty Rice

Out: Cam Riley

It was a little surprising that the Pats didn’t take a late-round flier on a linebacker who could contribute on special teams. But perhaps it speaks to how set this group feels after extending Elliss and signing Spillane, Gibbens and Rice this offseason.

Cornerbacks

In: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Marcellas Dial, Brandon Crossley

Out: Isaiah Bolden, Kobee Minor, Miles Battle

Depth here may be the biggest issue for the Patriots coming out of the draft after they didn’t pick a cornerback until Mr. Irrelevant. Yet I’ve got Crossley, who went undrafted, earning the final spot on the roster because his speed (4.44-second 40) is better than Minor’s (4.56).

Safeties

In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marcus Epps, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins

Out: Marte Mapu, Dell Pettus, Josh Minkins

This is the most crowded position on defense — and another reason why the Woodson pick was so confusing to me. Peppers is still really good, but if you’re looking for a surprise cut, could he be an option if Vrabel doesn’t think he’s a fit? You don’t sign Epps and draft Woodson in the fourth round if you’re totally confident in what you have, and Dugger’s contract means it would be tough to cut him. Also, quietly, Mapu is on the roster bubble (the wrong side of it, in my opinion) after being a third-round pick two years ago.

FIRED UP IN THE DRAFT ROOM 🔥@_CraigWoodson & @colaboy_j5 get their #PatsDraft calls. pic.twitter.com/nWjUcIgcqx

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 27, 2025

Specialists

In: Andres Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby, Brenden Schooler

Out: John Parker Romo, Joe Cardona, Jordan Polk

The competitions here are between Borregales and Romo for the kicking job, and Ashby and Cardona for the long-snapper job. But you don’t draft specialists for them not to make the team, even if they struggle some in camp (remember Chad Ryland getting the job over Nick Folk a couple of years ago). So I’ve got Borregales and Ashby getting the nods, which would mean Cardona doesn’t make it. Cardona is the last player on the Patriots roster from their last Super Bowl title.

(Photo of Drake Maye and the offense: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

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