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The New England Patriots finished the 2025 NFL draft with five draft-day trades and 11 picks.
They aggressively filled out their roster with undrafted free agents and developmental depth, signaling a bold shift under the new leadership of Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf and Ryan Cowden.
With rookie minicamp on the horizon, it's clear that New England is focused on building a new identity — one that brings youth, energy and upside into a locker room undergoing a complete philosophical reset.
Here's an early look at how the 53-man roster could take shape:
The Patriots only have three quarterbacks on their roster currently, and while another could be brought in for camp, they'll probably keep things as currently constructed. Maye is the future, Dobbs the experienced backup and Wooldridge is a developmental flier.
Josh McDaniels favors role-specific backs, and this room reflects that. Henderson provides explosive upside, Stevenson and Gibson offer power and pass-game value, while Larison — a UDFA with special teams chops — wins the final spot over Terrell Jennings.
After releasing Giovanni Ricci, Lampe, a UDFA, gets the nod here as the Patriots signal a return to fullback usage in a McDaniels-run offense. They will likely give a lot of shots to UDFAs and releasing Ricci is a good sign for Lampe.
Henry and Hooper are veteran staples. Dippre is the surprise UDFA to make the team, bringing blocking upside and athleticism. He was projected as a Day 3 pick and offers developmental intrigue. The Patriots need to find an eventual long-term replacement for Henry, who is getting towards the end of his career.
I didn't include Stefon Diggs on this list because I believe he'll begin the season on PUP or IR following his ACL tear. The Patriots invest in youth, athleticism and upside with six rostered wide receivers, while Efton Chism III lurks as a potential early call-up from the practice squad.
Kayshon Boutte is someone I think they can get value for, and in a crowded room, they need to move one of these players before camp is over. He has the most upside of the players on the roster, and he was already the subject of trade talk leading up to the draft. Kendrick Bourne, despite having good chemistry with Josh McDaniels and Drake Maye, may just be left off.
The team drafted Williams in the third round this year and Polk in the second round last year. And they still feel good about Javon Baker. Demario Douglas is a productive slot receiver and fits the new regime well, while Hollins is a big-bodied X receiver who has special teams pop. When Diggs comes back, the room might become crowded again, but this gives the younger players on the roster some room for snaps.
Campbell is the Patriots' left tackle of the future, with Moses holding down the right side. Wallace and Lowe bring flexibility and depth. Demontrey Jacobs and Marcus Bryant miss the cut here but are strong practice squad candidates.
Cole Strange is off the roster. New England is moving away from Belichick-era investments that haven’t panned out, and the younger, tougher Robinson and veteran depth option in Schweitzer create a combo that fits Vrabel’s vision.
Wilson, the team’s top center in the draft, is projected to start from Day 1. Bradbury offers experience and flexibility, while Ben Brown is a possible practice squad stash.
This unit is deep, versatile and designed to rotate. Barmore is the leader, and Williams signed for big money. Tonga and Pharms are your rotational plug-ins, while Farmer gives you huge upside. A plus is if Barmore is healthy, but even if he isn't, this is one of the best units on the team. The hope is that this unit can stay fully healthy and become a dominant unit like the Philadelphia Eagles have built.
Landry and White headline a refreshed pass rush. Jennings and Chaisson offer veteran snaps, while Swinson is a fifth-round pick with Day 2 traits and developmental upside. Chaisson is the fun player here. He can play on the line or standing up and is a former first-rounder who could blossom into a good player at only 25 years old.
The Patriots are completing a roster and locker room overhaul. Jahlani Tavai, a vocal presence from the old guard, is out. Cam Riley, a UDFA who many believed should have been drafted, takes his place as part of a youth movement. The team clearly wants to reset the room with new leadership and fresh voices.
Elliss, who embodies the Vrabel way, is likely the starting Mike linebacker, while Spillane is the will linebacker, leaving Riley and Gibbens as key depth.
This is a balanced group. Gonzalez and Davis are the starters. Austin provides boundary depth, while Jones and Bolden hold it down inside and on special teams. Kobee Minor just misses the cut but remains a strong developmental bet who will likely be on the practice squad to start.
Woodson was drafted to eventually take over as the deep safety. Peppers and Dugger bring toughness, production and experience, while Epps offers depth and hybrid ability. This is one of the more complete safety rooms in the NFL.
Borregales is the third kicker drafted by the Patriots since losing Stephen Gostkowski in 2019, and they’re hoping this one sticks. As for Ashby, this move symbolizes the new regime’s commitment to flipping the culture. Joe Cardona — the last remnant of the Patriots’ Super Bowl run and a Belichick disciple — was the next to go. Vrabel, Wolf and Cowden clearly want to replace past captains and legacy veterans with fresh leadership.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots 53-man roster projection after 2025 NFL draft
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They aggressively filled out their roster with undrafted free agents and developmental depth, signaling a bold shift under the new leadership of Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf and Ryan Cowden.
With rookie minicamp on the horizon, it's clear that New England is focused on building a new identity — one that brings youth, energy and upside into a locker room undergoing a complete philosophical reset.
Here's an early look at how the 53-man roster could take shape:
Quarterbacks (3): Drake Maye, Josh Dobbs, Ben Wooldridge
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The Patriots only have three quarterbacks on their roster currently, and while another could be brought in for camp, they'll probably keep things as currently constructed. Maye is the future, Dobbs the experienced backup and Wooldridge is a developmental flier.
Running Backs (4): TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Lan Larison
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Josh McDaniels favors role-specific backs, and this room reflects that. Henderson provides explosive upside, Stevenson and Gibson offer power and pass-game value, while Larison — a UDFA with special teams chops — wins the final spot over Terrell Jennings.
Fullback (1): Brock Lampe
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After releasing Giovanni Ricci, Lampe, a UDFA, gets the nod here as the Patriots signal a return to fullback usage in a McDaniels-run offense. They will likely give a lot of shots to UDFAs and releasing Ricci is a good sign for Lampe.
Tight Ends (3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, CJ Dippre
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Henry and Hooper are veteran staples. Dippre is the surprise UDFA to make the team, bringing blocking upside and athleticism. He was projected as a Day 3 pick and offers developmental intrigue. The Patriots need to find an eventual long-term replacement for Henry, who is getting towards the end of his career.
Wide Receivers (5): Kyle Williams, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Demario Douglas, Mack Hollins
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I didn't include Stefon Diggs on this list because I believe he'll begin the season on PUP or IR following his ACL tear. The Patriots invest in youth, athleticism and upside with six rostered wide receivers, while Efton Chism III lurks as a potential early call-up from the practice squad.
Kayshon Boutte is someone I think they can get value for, and in a crowded room, they need to move one of these players before camp is over. He has the most upside of the players on the roster, and he was already the subject of trade talk leading up to the draft. Kendrick Bourne, despite having good chemistry with Josh McDaniels and Drake Maye, may just be left off.
The team drafted Williams in the third round this year and Polk in the second round last year. And they still feel good about Javon Baker. Demario Douglas is a productive slot receiver and fits the new regime well, while Hollins is a big-bodied X receiver who has special teams pop. When Diggs comes back, the room might become crowded again, but this gives the younger players on the roster some room for snaps.
Offensive Tackles (4): Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Caedan Wallace, Vederian Lowe
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Campbell is the Patriots' left tackle of the future, with Moses holding down the right side. Wallace and Lowe bring flexibility and depth. Demontrey Jacobs and Marcus Bryant miss the cut here but are strong practice squad candidates.
Guards (4): Mike Onwenu, Sidy Sow, Layden Robinson, Wes Schweitzer
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Cole Strange is off the roster. New England is moving away from Belichick-era investments that haven’t panned out, and the younger, tougher Robinson and veteran depth option in Schweitzer create a combo that fits Vrabel’s vision.
Centers (2): Jared Wilson, Garrett Bradbury
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Wilson, the team’s top center in the draft, is projected to start from Day 1. Bradbury offers experience and flexibility, while Ben Brown is a possible practice squad stash.
Defensive Tackles (5): Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Joshua Farmer, Khyiris Tonga, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
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This unit is deep, versatile and designed to rotate. Barmore is the leader, and Williams signed for big money. Tonga and Pharms are your rotational plug-ins, while Farmer gives you huge upside. A plus is if Barmore is healthy, but even if he isn't, this is one of the best units on the team. The hope is that this unit can stay fully healthy and become a dominant unit like the Philadelphia Eagles have built.
Edge Rushers (5): Harold Landry III, Keion White, Anfernee Jennings, K'Lavon Chaisson, Bradyn Swinson
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Landry and White headline a refreshed pass rush. Jennings and Chaisson offer veteran snaps, while Swinson is a fifth-round pick with Day 2 traits and developmental upside. Chaisson is the fun player here. He can play on the line or standing up and is a former first-rounder who could blossom into a good player at only 25 years old.
Linebackers (4): Robert Spillane, Jack Gibbens, Christian Elliss, Cam Riley
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The Patriots are completing a roster and locker room overhaul. Jahlani Tavai, a vocal presence from the old guard, is out. Cam Riley, a UDFA who many believed should have been drafted, takes his place as part of a youth movement. The team clearly wants to reset the room with new leadership and fresh voices.
Elliss, who embodies the Vrabel way, is likely the starting Mike linebacker, while Spillane is the will linebacker, leaving Riley and Gibbens as key depth.
Cornerbacks (5): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marcus Jones
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This is a balanced group. Gonzalez and Davis are the starters. Austin provides boundary depth, while Jones and Bolden hold it down inside and on special teams. Kobee Minor just misses the cut but remains a strong developmental bet who will likely be on the practice squad to start.
Safeties (4): Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marcus Epps, Craig Woodson
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Woodson was drafted to eventually take over as the deep safety. Peppers and Dugger bring toughness, production and experience, while Epps offers depth and hybrid ability. This is one of the more complete safety rooms in the NFL.
Special Teams (4): K Andres Borregales, P Bryce Baringer, LS Julian Ashby, ST Brenden Schooler
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Borregales is the third kicker drafted by the Patriots since losing Stephen Gostkowski in 2019, and they’re hoping this one sticks. As for Ashby, this move symbolizes the new regime’s commitment to flipping the culture. Joe Cardona — the last remnant of the Patriots’ Super Bowl run and a Belichick disciple — was the next to go. Vrabel, Wolf and Cowden clearly want to replace past captains and legacy veterans with fresh leadership.
Practice Squad (17)
- RB Terrell Jennings
- OT Marcus Bryant
- OT Demontrey Jacobs
- WR Efton Chism III
- WR Jeremiah Webb
- C Ben Brown
- OG Tyrese Robinson
- DB Marcellus Dial
- DB Kobee Minor
- CB DJ James
- S Dell Pettus
- LB Monty Rice
- ED Wilfried Pene (International Exemption)
- DT Jaquelin Roy
- DT Eric Johnson
- ED Truman Jones
- K John Parker Romo
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots 53-man roster projection after 2025 NFL draft
Continue reading...
