Entering week six of training camp, the New England Patriots now have two preseason games under their belt against the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles.
Throughout that time, we’ve learned a lot about how New England’s final roster may shake up after cutdowns on Aug. 30. But a lack of depth at several positions may leave team brass with some unsettling decisions to make at the back end of the squad.
Here’s our latest projection for the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster:
QuarterbackIn (3): Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito, Behren Morton (R)
Out: N/A
While Tommy DeVito’s decisiveness could have been stronger in the preseason, his productive start to the summer likely leaves head coach Mike Vrabel and Co. comfortable with him as Drake Maye’s backup in 2026.
The third quarterback on the depth chart, seventh-round rookie Behren Morton, also may have solidified his role as the emergency third option during Saturday’s matchup with Philadelphia. Morton made smart decisions and threw with accuracy as he totaled 129 yards, completed 13 of his 17 passing attempts and delivered the game-winning deep touchdown strike to Nick DeGennaro.
It’s probably not worth risking the Texas Tech product being claimed on waivers to retain another player at a different position.
Running backIn (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Hassan Haskins
Out (3): Lan Larison, Jam Miller (R), JaMycal Hasty
IR (1): Myles Montgomery
After last year’s third running back, Terrell Jennings, landed on season-ending injured reserve and was subsequently waived with a settlement, New England signed two veterans: Hassan Haskins, who was drafted by the Tennessee Titans under Vrabel in 2022, and familiar face JaMycal Hasty.
Haskins’ experience helps the veteran edge out the other running backs if the Patriots keep three. However, Lan Larison’s performance on Saturday, which Vrabel described as “good, gritty and tough,” is pushing for that job.
New England’s head coach also spoke highly of Jam Miller’s physical playstyle following the Indianapolis matchup, making the seventh-round rookie a prime practice squad candidate.
FullbackIn (1): Reggie Gilliam
Out: N/A
Reggie Gilliam signed a multi-year contract with New England in March, making him the fourth-highest-paid fullback in the NFL by average annual value. In 2025, he played a pivotal role in the Buffalo Bills becoming the top rushing offense last season. The 29-year-old will look to do the same with the Patriots.
Wide receiverIn (6): A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III
Out (5): Cameron Dorner (R), Kyle Dixon (R), Nick DeGennaro (R), Kobe Prentice (R), Tejhaun Palmer
IR (2): Jimmy Kibble, Jeremiah Webb
Trade (1): Kayshon Boutte
The uncertainty around Kayshon Boutte’s future with the team makes this group intriguing.
If Boutte is dealt, that opens more opportunities for second-year receiver Kyle Williams. If he sticks around, Maye gets to continue working with a player he’s established strong chemistry with.
Boutte reportedly requested a trade out of Foxboro earlier this offseason. And with injuries across the league accumulating late into the summer, such as the Houston Texans losing Jayden Higgins for the season, other franchises may be reaching for the phone, looking to strike a deal.
Below Williams and Efton Chism III on the roster, DeGennaro has continuously improved as the offseason has progressed, leading to his four-catch, 61-yard and one-touchdown effort on Saturday. He’s another top candidate for the practice squad.
Tight endIn (3): Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon, Tanner Arkin(R)
Out (2): C.J. Dippre, Jack Westover
IR (1): Julian Hill
This season, Hunter Henry will be paired with a new face in the tight end room, vertical-threat tight end and third-round selection Eli Raridon. Both have cycled reps with Maye as camp progresses and will be more than capable receiving threats for their quarterback.
Undrafted free agent Tanner Arkin has also spent time with Maye primarily as a blocker, which he excelled in at Illinois.
Offensive tackleIn (6): Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu (R), Marcus Bryant, Dametrious Crownover (R), James Hudson III
Out (1): Lorenz Metz (exempt)
Behind Morgan Moses and Will Campbell as the main substitutions are first-round pick Caleb Lomu and second-year tackle Marcus Bryant. While Lomu has taken snaps at both tackle and guard spots this offseason, it’s Bryant who looks best suited to be the swing tackle.
That said, Bryant left Saturday’s contest early with an ankle injury and did not return. A long-term setback would thrust Lomu into that role.
Another question with the offensive line is the unit’s depth after Ben Brown’s and Andrew Rupcich’s injuries. New England may initially retain James Hudson because of his versatility on the edge and the interior, but the franchise could look for outside options after cutdowns.
Interior offensive lineIn (4): Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Greg Van Roten
Out (5): Mehki Butler, Jacob Rizy (R), JonDarius Morgan (R), Darrian Dalcourt, Joe Michalski
IR-DFR (1): Ben Brown
Following the aforementioned injuries to Brown and Rupcich, the Patriots brought in 36-year-old veteran Greg Van Roten to back up the three starters: Vera-Tucker, Onwenu and Wilson. However, the younger depth pieces haven’t found their footing together in the preseason.
Vrabel spoke about the team’s lack of depth after the Eagles game. The offensive line in the two contests has been a concern, with those groups struggling to pick up stunts and various blitzes.
Defensive tackleIn (5): Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory
Out (4): Leonard Taylor III, Isaiah Iton, Jeremiah Pharms Jr, Casey Rogers
Cory Durden steps into the nose tackle role left by the departure of Khyiris Tonga. The 27-year-old has been heavily involved this summer with Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. He’s part of the group of players who received rest in both preseason matchups.
Next up, Joshua Farmer and Eric Gregory have seen the most opportunities out of the remaining group of players. Both can provide run-stopping assistance as occasional substitutions when needed.
Leonard Taylor, who blocked a pivotal field goal in the AFC Championship game last season, has also made contributions and is a player on the roster bubble.
Defensive edgeIn (3): Dre’Mont Jones, Elijah Ponder, Gabe Jacas(R)
Out (5): Bradyn Swinson, Xavier Holmes (R), Quintayvious Hutchins (R), Jesse Luketa, Amari Gainer
IR-DFR (1): Harold Landry III
Keeping only three outside linebackers may be an extreme case; still, the depth pieces behind Jones and Ponder haven’t separated themselves in the roster competition. Even Gabe Jacas, who started his rookie offseason late, is still putting things together as the season approaches. He will likely be the next man up to open 2026 if Harold Landry isn’t available.
The Patriots should have a favorable chance to retain some of the options behind Jacas. Whoever from that group lands on the practice squad can be elevated on game days until Landry returns.
LinebackerIn (5): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, K.J. Britt, Khalil Jacobs (R), Namdi Obiazor (R)
Out (2): Chad Muma, Riley Wilson(R)
Through the first half of training camp, the third linebacker role looked like Chad Muma’s to lose, as he consistently wore the green dot. But after two underwhelming preseason efforts, K.J. Britt is starting to see more opportunities.
As for the rookies, UDFA Khalil Jacobs has also been a steady presence with the second-team defense, while Obiazor has been involved in several different rotations.
CornerbackIn (6): Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, Carlton Davis III, Charles Woods, Karon Prunty (R), Kindle Vildor
Out (5): Channing Canada (R), Kobee Minor,Marcellas Dial Jr., Kenneth Harris (R), Brandon Crossley
The cornerback rotation behind the three starters was difficult to determine earlier in the offseason, with players constantly rotating through different roles.
Despite that uncertainty, it’s clear New England still favors Charles Woods as its primary rotational piece when healthy, and fourth-round rookie Karon Prunty has showcased flashes of his physical style at the position.
If the team holds onto six cornerbacks, Kindle Vildor likely fills that final spot. Against Philadelphia, the 28-year-old logged two pass breakups and would’ve added an interception to the box score if it hadn’t been called back due to a roughing-the-passer penalty.
SafetyIn (5): Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler, John Saunders Jr.
Out (3): Mike Brown, Peter Manuma (R), Eric Butler(R)
Dell Pettus and John Saunders Jr. form the rotational tandem under Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson on the depth chart. Pettus seems to be holding onto his third safety responsibility, playing in the box in big-nickel packages.
Saunders, on the other hand, has had an impressive summer, stealing five picks across practices and the preseason. Pairing with Pettus, he’s a free-ranging deep safety who shined in coverage on Saturday night.
Free agency signing Mike Brown was heavily involved at the beginning of training camp but has since phased out of the equation.
Special teamsIn (3): Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby
Out: N/A
Kicker Andy Borregales rebounded with an encouraging outing against the Eagles and a week of practices after missing three field goals in the contest with Indianapolis. On Saturday, he split the uprights from 41 yards out during his only field goal attempt and drilled all three extra points.
No competition for Borregales was added to the roster last week, nor was anyone signed at any of the specialist positions throughout training camp.
The Patriots re-signed Niko Lalos for a brief stint until Julian Ashby returned from an injury.
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