Ranking Patriots (Expected) UDFAs’ Chances Of Making Roster

The Patriots did their homework prior to the 2025 NFL Draft.

New England didn’t just co-lead the way with 11 total selections across the weekend, but followed that up by reportedly adding 18 undrafted free agents in the days following. It’s a huge rookie class, but for a team looking to completely rebuild itself from the ground up, the smart thing to do was to throw as many darts as possible at the board.

How many are going to stick, though?

I spent a couple of days researching those who reportedly have been invited to One Patriot Place, so let’s rank their chances to retained past training camp:

18. QB Ben Wooldridge (Louisiana)

The Patriots just needed another guy to chuck it around during camp, and they found one. I’d be surprised if they don’t go out and add someone else to the quarterback room, but in all honesty, this is just a numbers thing, so they have enough people for scout team reps.

17. DL Bryce Ganious (Wake Forest)

Ganious is a good athlete, but he never graduated to anything more than a rotational role at Wake Forest. It’ll be difficult for him to receive any meaningful reps this summer.

16. WR Jeremiah Webb (South Alabama)

Webb has decent size (5-foot-11, 198 pounds), but there isn’t very much testing information available to see how he stacks up athletically to other wideouts in this class. The Patriots have to cut their receiving room in half as things currently stand, so it’s doubtful these non-descript free agents will have much opportunity.

15. OL Cole Birdow (Merrimack)

Birdow is a local product who has only recently made the switch from the defensive side of the ball, but still showcases elite athleticism for an interior offensive lineman. New England could keep him around deep into training camp.

14. DB Brandon Crossley (SMU)

Crossley can run really fast in a straight line, but he’s undersized and performed poorly in agility drills at his pro day. Can he crack the code on special teams?

13. DB Josh Minkins (Cincinnati)

Minkins is a legitimate player, having served as a veteran leader in two different programs. The Patriots will really like him, but the defensive backfield is full of hybrid players who already provide insane value on special teams. It’s just not a great fit.

12. DL Wilfried Pene (Virginia Tech)

Pene is a name to remember, as he should stick around deep into the summer due to being an international player (France) that will not count against the roster until final cuts. The Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed was first to report that news.

11. LB Cam Riley (Florida State)

Riley doesn’t fit any traditional positional designations, but could be a good chess piece to play with throughout the summer. Marte Mapu is of a similar ilk, though it looks like both will be fighting for a spot that might not even be available.

10. WR DeMeer Blankumsee (Memphis)

Blankumsee is another wideout who would have to defy insane odds to even be given a chance to make this team. It’s a tough year to be a wide receiver looking to carve out a roster spot.

9. DB Jordan Polk (Texas State)

Polk has a nose for the football and could crack this roster by making plays on special teams. I don’t think I’d bet on it, though.

8. TE Gee Scott Jr. (Ohio State)

Scott has the receiving skills to make some impressive plays this summer, but the real test will be how physical he gets in the running game. Jaheim Bell had the same problem at different points last season, but given the lack of depth at the position, there could be an opportunity for a couple of young guys to crack the roster.

7. OL Jack Conley (Boston College)

Conley has the flexibility to play all five positions along the offensive line, so don’t be surprised if you see him all over the place this summer. New England is set up well in terms of overall depth, but getting younger could be the deciding factor on whether it keeps the rookie or some veteran guys like Wes Schweitzer or Cole Strange. I’d say this is the first guy we’ve talked about who has a real chance.

6. DL Jahvaree Ritzie (North Carolina)

Ritzie is an insane athlete for someone his size, and could very well crack this roster if a few things break his way. The Patriots want to get disruptive up front, and that’s exactly what he can provide.

5. WR Efton Chism III (Eastern Washington)

Chism is practically the team’s top target if you believe what some people have to say, but there’s still a long way for him to go before he’s in consideration.

Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas will both see considerable time in the slot, so it would be very surprising if they hold onto a slot-only receiver who didn’t test all that well at his pro day. Can he crack a spot as a returner, putting his tremendous agility to good use? Will they trust him in the slot and reconfigure some other pieces around him? It’s a long shot.

4. EDGE Elijah Ponder (Cal Poly)

Ponder isn’t getting nearly enough love among folks who think undrafted free agents have a good chance to make the roster. New England could have drafted him in the fifth round and it wouldn’t have looked out of place, as his frame (6-foot-3, 251 pounds, 33-inch arms, 80-inch wingspan), athleticism (41-inch vertical, 11-foot broad jump) and production (15.3% pressure rate across 2023 and 2024) were all there.

The Patriots suddenly have solid depth on the edge — Harold Landry, Keion White, Anfernee Jennings, K’Lavon Chaisson and Bradyn Swinson — but don’t be surprised if Ponder makes a push.

3. RB Lan Larison (UC Davis)

Larison is the crown jewel of this class among fans, and for good reason. UC Davis isn’t going to be mistaken for a powerhouse program, but they essentially ran their entire offense through him over the last two seasons, during which he was a legitimate contender for the Walter Payton Award — which is essentially the FCS MVP.

New England is pretty thin in terms of overall depth at running back, with Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson and Terrell Jennings being the only current options on the roster. Larison likely would only need to beat out Jennings to secure a spot in the season-long rotation, though his time might have to wait until later in the season. Mike Vrabel typically doesn’t carry more than three running backs at any given time, so perhaps he’s a practice-squad player for the time being, but there is a chance he becomes undeniable this summer.

2. FB/TE Brock Lampe (Northern Illinois)

Josh McDaniels is going to want a fullback, and this dude checks all the boxes.

Lampe was the lead blocker for one of the nation’s most potent rushing attacks, contributed on core special teams and sprinkled in some work as a pass catcher later in his career. New England has itself a fullback, it’s just a matter of it intends on keeping one in this new-age version of the classic offense.

1. TE C.J. Dippre (Alabama)

Dippre is exactly what this team should be looking for out of a third tight end.

Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper will continue to contribute heavily in the passing game, but there was an element of athleticism and toughness missing from that group last season. McDaniels designs his running game to outman the defense, and though he probably wouldn’t be able to do that with the two veterans, he will be able to with Dippre.

I’ll call my shot right now and say that he makes the initial roster, so don’t be surprised when it happens.