Eliot Wolf’s first draft class makes the cut.
The 2024 offseason began with the New England Patriots starting the Eliot Wolf era by re-signing core players and adding role players on both sides of the ball.
They wrapped up the 2024 NFL Draft with eight selections, seven of which were on offense. The team also added ten undrafted free agents and currently has two open roster spots.
With the current roster, here’s my first look at what battles to watch in camp and who could make the cut for week 1.
Quarterback (3)
In: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye (R), Joe Milton III (R)
Out: Bailey Zappe, Nathan Rourke
The quarterback position gets a complete overhaul from 2023. Free agent addition Jacoby Brissett returns to Gillette Stadium as a veteran mentor to No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye. Sixth-round selection Joe Milton also makes the cut here, although he’s a potential practice squad candidate.
Running back (3)
In: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris
Out: JaMycal Hasty, Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Deshaun Fenwick (R)
Rhamondre Stevenson should be New England’s bell cow in 2024. He’s a well-rounded back who is explosive as a runner, an asset as a receiver, and comfortable in pass protection. Free agent addition Antonio Gibson should fill in as New England’s third down back in passing situations.
After that, this position is wide open. I have 2022 draftee Kevin Harris as the leader in the clubhouse here, but JaMycal Hasty, Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and Deshaun Fenwick will all have a shot at the roster. Don’t be surprised if New England makes another addition here between now and camp.
Wide Receiver (6)
In: Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Ja’Lynn Polk (R), Javon Baker (R), Jalen Reagor
Out: Kayshon Boutte, Tyquan Thornton, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kawaan Baker, T.J. Luther
Bourne has been New England’s offensive sparkplug when healthy since arriving before the 2021 season. He could be the top receiver in the offense entering camp, although a torn ACL in October could mean he starts the year on the PUP list. DeMario Douglas will look to build on a team-leading 561 yards receiving last season, and free agent K.J. Osborn will add veteran depth to this group. Rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker are locks for this roster and could both be starters week 1.
Jalen Reagor, Kayshon Boutte, Tyquan Thornton, and JuJu Smith-Schuster appear to be battling for the last spot at wide receiver, although it is possible for a second to knock K.J. Osborn off the roster with a good camp. Given Reagor’s speed and upside on special teams, he gets the nod here.
Tight End (3)
In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell (R)
Out: Mitchell Wilcox, La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren (R)
Hunter Henry returns to New England after three straight years of 400 or more receiving yards. The veteran tight end should be a safety blanket for rookie Drake Maye. Veteran addition Austin Hooper joins the team after working as a backup tight end for the Raiders for much of 2023. He has two years of experience with Alex Van Pelt from his time in Cleveland in 2020 and 2021.
I have F/H-back Jaheim Bell making the team as the third tight end. Bell was selected in the seventh round, but he was a consensus fifth round value heading into the draft. Bell is a versatile and athletic pick who should be right at home in Alex Van Pelt’s offense. I wouldn’t be shocked if he ends up as the team’s second tight end by the end of the season.
Offensive Line (10)
In: Chukwuma Okorafor, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Michael Onwenu, Calvin Anderson, Jake Andrews, Nick Leverett, Caedan Wallace (R), Layden Robinson (R)
Out: Vederian Lowe, Tyrone Wheatley Jr., Andrew Stueber, Zuri Henry (R), Michael Jordan, Atonio Mafi, Charles Turner III
New England’s starting offensive line from left guard through right tackle is poised to return in 2024. Right tackle Michael Onwenu received a big contract to return in free agency, and the three men on the interior are all back as well. Left guard Cole Strange ended last season on injured reserve after playing the best football of his career, and his rehabilitation will be a situation to monitor. Veteran addition Nick Leverett could push for the starting job there. David Andrews should retain the center job with second-year Jake Andrews as his backup, while right guard Sidy Sow played well but may face competition from rookie Layden Robinson.
The left tackle job is wide open. New England acquired Chukwuma Okorafor from Pittsburgh this offseason, who is expected to return to the left side that he played in college. Veteran Calvin Anderson received good grades from PFF at left tackle in Denver in 2021 and 2022 as the team’s backup tackle, but illness derailed his 2023 campaign. New England drafted Penn State right tackle Caedan Wallace in the third round with the expectation that he will switch to left tackle in the NFL. He could be a backup at four different spots on the line in year one.
2023 depth pieces Vederian Lowe, Tyrone Wheatley Jr., Andrew Stueber, and Atonio Mafi miss the cut in this projection, as do additions Zuri Henry, Michael Jordan, and Charles Turner.
Defensive Line (7)
In: Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise Jr., Keion White, Daniel Ekuale, Sam Roberts, Armon Watts
Out: Jeremiah Pharms Jr., William Bradley-King, Trysten Hill
Christian Barmore is a roster lock after a breakout 2023 campaign and a subsequent extension this week. Davon Godchaux joins him at defensive tackle again in 2024, with Deatrich Wise and Keion White poised to reprise their roles at defensive end. Sam Roberts played well in a depth role in 2023, and Ekuale has been a contributor as a pass rusher in the past. Free agent signing Armon Watts rounds out the depth of this group.
Jeremiah Pharms and Trysten Hill are practice squad candidates, and William Bradley-King could also return to New England’s practice squad.
Linebacker (8)
In: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Matthew Judon, Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings, Joshua Uche, Marte Mapu, Sione Takitaki, Christian Elliss
Out: Raekwon McMillan, John Morgan III (R), Jontrey Hunter (R), Jett Bush (R), Joe Giles-Harris
Linebacker may be one of the strongest positions on New England’s roster. Matthew Judon, Ja’Whaun Bentley, and Jahlani Tavai all excelled in 2023, and the tandem of Anfernee Jennings and Joshua Uche was a force against the run and rushing the passer, respectively. Marte Mapu is positioned to step into a bigger role in 2024, and Sione Takitaki should replace the departed Mack Wilson. Christian Elliss makes the team here as a special teamer.
Raekwon McMillan and Elliss may have a battle for the final spot on the roster as depth linebacker and core special teamer. Giles-Harris should be in that competition as well. A trio of undrafted free agents will also look to carve out a spot on the roster in camp.
Cornerback (6)
In: Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Shaun Wade, Alex Austin, Marcellas Dial (R)
Out: Isaiah Bolden, Marco Wilson, Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor (R), Kaleb Ford-Dement (R)
After dominating for the first three-and-a-half weeks of the season, Christian Gonzalez’s rookie campaign was sidelined by injury. He should begin his sophomore year as New England’s top corner. Veteran Jonathan Jones should start opposite him, with third-year Marcus Jones coming into camp as the third corner after also having his 2023 season cut short. Shaun Wade and Alex Austin both played well down the stretch for New England and know the system, so they had the upper leg on the rest of the names in camp here. Rookie Marcellas Dial also makes the cut here as a depth corner and safety who provides value on special teams.
With the inexperience in the depth at this position and the injury concerns with the top three options, the Patriots could look to add someone like Stephon Gilmore before training camp.
Safety (4)
In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler
Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, Dell Pettus (R)
Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers should be one of the top safety duos in the AFC in 2024. Both players are playmakers with a knack for finding the football. Hawkins can play true free safety and was added in free agency. Brenden Schooler replaces Matthew Slater as New England’s special teams ace, and he could be an all-pro if he can clean up his penalties.
Bledose has hung around New England’s practice squad with short stints on the active roster since being drafted in 2021. He returns to that role in this projection.
This is a position where New England could add a veteran before camp. Former Broncos safety Justin Simmons is a name that stands out.
Special Teams (3)
In: Chad Ryland, Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona
These are the only special teamers currently on the roster, so all three make the cut. Bryce Baringer and Joe Cardona were excellent in 2023, while Chad Ryland struggled outside of his 56-yard, game winning field goal in Denver on Christmas Eve.
Canadian kicker Vincent Blanchard received a camp invite for the Patriots and will work out with the team on May 10 and 11. If he earns a contract, he will be the camp competition for Ryland. Otherwise, New England will be relying on a sophomore year leap for the kicker under new special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer.
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