Analyzing Patriots Final-53 Man Roster

Zak Drapeau
Aug 27
4 min read

by Zak Drapeau 8/27/2025 Sportz Nation

Yesterday on August 26th was the deadline for NFL teams to widdle down their rosters to the final-53 men they'll start the season with. The Patriots roster cuts were of more interest than most teams as their rebuild is coming to an end and it was very likely that some high-potential and young players would be gone thanks to the sheer amount of young players on the team.

The Patriots would indeed cut several players in their previous 2 draft classes and would even cut 2-year starter Cole Strange. Strange was definitely the biggest surprise cut for the team but his lack of production and injury-propensity was the cause after only competing in 3 games. Another somewhat surprise cut was rookie Edge Rusher Bradyn Swinson. Swinson was considered one of the better rushers of the 2025 class that slipped to New England in the 5th round. His blend of hand usage and athleticism was thought to make him a rotation piece right away but wasn't able to make the roster over guys like Elijah Ponder. With some of the questionable keeps the team have, a guy like Swinson could have been a move to keep for the future due to his raw potential.

Another question mark for the Pats was their decision to keep 8 wide receivers on the roster. Guys like Diggs, Hollins and Douglas were shoe-ins but players like Efton Chism, Javon Baker and Kayshon Boutte were thought to be among the highest of cut-candidates. Chism played his way on the roster in camp and preseason as a versatile and shifty playmaker and Javon Baker's speed and catching was somehow enough to save his job as well.

A 9th receiver still has a Patriots' jersey but is not technically on the roster as Ja'Lynn Polk was put on season-ending IR after shoulder surgery required after an injury in the team's preseason opener. Also on IR is MLB and team veteran Jahlani Tavai. One of the best players on the Patriots' defense over the past two years, Tavai was a likely Captain candidate if not for the injury. His return should be sometime around Week 6.

___________________________________

Here's the final list of players on the Patriots 53 Man Roster:

Quarterbacks

Drake Maye

Jacoby Brissett

Having only 2 Quarterbacks on the roster proves just how behind the Patriots are in Drake Maye as the future of their franchise.

Running Backs

Rhamondre Stevenson

Antonio Gibson

TreVeyon Henderson

Only 3 running backs is quite low, however receivers like Chism and Baker could see time in the backfield. Rookie Tre Henderson should be the immediate receiving back and should take over RB1 role very quickly.

Photo by Eric J. Adler/ New England Patriots

Wide Receivers

Stefon Diggs

Mack Hollins

Demario Douglas

Kayshon Boutte

Kendrick Bourne

Kyle Williams

Efton Chism III

Javon Baker

Ja'Lynn Polk - IR

Here it is the 8 (kinda 9) receivers that made the roster and as said earlier guys like Chism are likely to be a utility guy more than straight receiver. He, along with Baker and Boutte will also be used on special teams and could make this crowded room worth it in the many ways they'll be used.

Tight Ends

Hunter Henry

Austin Hooper

Jack Westover

2nd year undrafted FA Jack Westover is the newest member to the TE room but Henry and Hooper are the vets and will see 90+% of the snaps.

Offensive Line

Will Campbell

Jared Wilson

Garrett Bradbury

Mike Onwenu

Caeden Wallace

Vederian Lowe

Morgan Moses

Marcus Bryant

Ben Brown

2 high-touted rookies and 2 free agent signings are expected to start on this line that is slowly coming together. Expected to be much better in pass protection this season, the rookies Wilson and especially Campbell will be the most watched for sure.

Defensive Line

Christian Barmore

Milton Williams

Khyris Tonga

Josh Farmer

Jeremiah Pharms

Thankfully the Patriots will have a healthy Barmore back for 2025 to pair with FA signing and Super Bowl champ Milton Williams. An interior pass rush that should be among the best in the league, rookie Josh Farmer is a great rotation piece as well even if he is limited to run stopping.

Edge Rushers

Harold Landry

K'Lavon Chaisson

Keon White

Anfernee Jennings

Elijah Ponder

The weakest positional group of the team, Mike Vrabel is hoping his former Titan Harold Landry will standout in the group alongside Keion White who has impressed over the past few years.

Linebackers

Robert Spillane

Christian Elliss

Marte Mapu

Jack Gibbens

Jahlani Tavai - IR

Once Tavai returns midseason, this group will be very well-rounded. Alongside FA signing, Robert Spillane, Elliss and Mapu are terrific rotation pieces and should round out a solid group.

Cornerbacks

Christian Gonzalez

Carlton Davis

Marcus Jones

Alex Austin

DJ James

Now for the strength of this defense, bringing in Carlton Davis gives the Patriots the potential for finishing 2025 with one of the best CB trios in the league. Marcus Jones is a great, young Nickel and we all know Christian Gonzalez could be on his way to an ELITE corner in the league.

Safeties

Kyle Dugger

Jabrill Peppers

Craig Woodson

Jaylinn Hawkins

Dell Pettus

In my opinion, Kyle Dugger is the most underrated Safety in the league and now with a much more complete, coverage-based cornerback room, Dugger can focus on his downhill-play and possibly make a leap to a star this year.

Special Teams

Bryce Barringer

Andy Borregales

Julian Ashby

Brendan Schooler

Rookie special-teamers Borregales and Ashby have made the roster as Kicker and Holder and round out a Special Teams room that let's face it, has always been a strong suit for the Patriots and now is also one of the youngest in the league.

___________________________________

Offensive starters should be Maye, Stevenson, Diggs, Hollins, Douglas, Henry, Campbell, Onwenu, Moses, Bradbury and either Jared Wilson or Caeden Wallace.

Defensive starters are projected as Harold Landry, Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White, Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers.

___________________________________