Way-Too-Early Patriots Roster Projection After 2025 NFL Draft

The New England Patriots will officially start working with their rookies on Friday, as minicamp opens up at Gillette Stadium.

It’s a big day for the rookies, but also for those of us who like to prognosticate.

We spent months trying to figure out which free agents, college prospects, disgruntled stars and potential trade candidates could be acquired over the offseason, and now that we have our answers, it’s time to figure out which of those same players will be sticking around. It’s a never-ending cycle, but isn’t that what makes this all so fun?

I won’t get anything out of doing this (except for people touting which choices end up being wrong), but screw it, let’s take a stab at guessing the initial roster for New England in 2025:

QB: (2)

In: Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
Out: Ben Wooldridge (R)

Drake Maye is the most important player that we’ll talk about in this little exercise, and in a perfect world, he’s the only one that matters. The Patriots know that he’ll be the starter, Joshua Dobbs will be his backup and Ben Wooldridge will help them with scout team looks throughout training camp.

I’d be surprised if they don’t add another depth arm before camp kicks off, though.

RB: (4)

In: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson, Lan Larison (R)
Out: Terrell Jennings

New England seemingly built things out so everyone in this room has a role designed specifically to match their strengths.

Rhamondre Stevenson will still lead this team in carries, as the switch back to a familiar system will help him get back on track. TreVeyon Henderson immediately became the most interesting player in this offense, as he’ll get plenty of touches in the passing game as the top reserve. Antonio Gibson will get his touches as a hybrid of the two players ahead of him, though you should expect him to pick up more special-teams work this season.

Lan Larison will compete with Terrell Jennings as the duo looks to earn a fourth spot that might not even be available. I chose to keep the latter here because he brings some more juice, but this coaching staff seems comfortable carrying only three running backs.

WR: (6)

In: Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams (R), Kendrick Bourne, Mack Hollins, Ja’Lynn Polk
Out: Kayshon Boutte, Javon Baker, Efton Chism III (R), John Jiles, Jeremiah Webb (R), Demeer Blankumsee (R)

DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams will obviously make the team. So will Kendrick Bourne and Mack Hollins, and although their on-field production doesn’t make the choice that obvious, their familiarity with the system will be invaluable and likely will have them playing in notable roles early in the season. Ja’Lynn Polk isn’t everyone’s favorite pass-catcher right now, but he’s a second-round pick who showed flashes in his rookie season before it seemed like coaching stunted his ability to develop.

I still believe he’ll turn things around, for whatever that is worth.

Stefon Diggs likely will start the season on some sort of reserve list. That might open up a spot for someone like Efton Chism III or Javon Baker. I didn’t want to get overly technical, though, because we all know the veteran will eventually serve as a key part of this offense. Kayshon Boutte could also be part of that group, but there’s a decent chance he’s traded or cut earlier in the offseason to give him a chance to catch on elsewhere.

TE: (4)

In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, CJ Dippre (R), Brock Lampe (R)
Out: Jaheim Bell, Jack Westover, Gee Scott Jr. (R)

“Do you really have two undrafted free agents making this team, Keagan?”

Yes, reader, I abso-freaking-lutely do have two undrafted free agents making this roster. CJ Dippre is the exact kind of developmental prospect who made sense in this system, as he immediately becomes the best pure athlete in the room and has already developed a skill (inline blocking) that no one else has on the roster, Brock Lampe, on the other hand, is a talented fullback that should immediately become a favorite of Josh McDaniels.

Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are also going to be there… obviously.

OL: (9)

In: Will Campbell (R), Morgan Moses, Caedan Wallace, Vederian Lowe, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, Layden Robinson, Jared Wilson (R), Wes Schweitzer
Out: Demontrey Jacobs, Marcus Bryant (R), Ben Brown, Cole Strange, Sidy Sow, Tyrese Robinson, Cole Birdow (R), Jack Conley (R)

Will Campbell, Layden Robinson, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses will be the initial starting unit, from left to right. New England could make changes throughout training camp, but that seems like the likeliest group. Jared Wilson could win a job outright in camp along the interior, while Caedan Wallace and Vederian Lowe look firmly entrenched as the reserve options at tackle. Wes Schweitzer was our final choice, if only for the fact that he’s versatile and can play anywhere in a pinch.

Marcus Bryant, Cole Strange and Jack Conley were tough cuts, but some others seemed rather obvious. I would not be surprised to see one of those three crack the roster.

DL: (5)

In: Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White, Joshua Farmer (R), Khyiris Tonga
Out: Truman Jones, Marcus Harris, Eric Johnson II, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Jaquelin Roy, Wilfried Pene (R), Jahvaree Ritzie (R), Bryce Ganious (R)

Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White and Joahua Farmer were easy choices. Finding that fifth spot along the defensive line, though, was tough. Khyiris Tonga gets the nod because of his size and experience. But don’t sleep on Jahvaree Ritzie or Jeremiah Pharms Jr.

EDGE: (4)

In: Harold Landry Jr., Anfernee Jennings, K’Lavon Chaisson, Bradyn Swinson (R)
Out: Elijah Ponder (R)

Do we need to explain these?

LB: (3)

In: Robert Spillane, Jack Gibbens, Christian Elliss
Out: Jahlani Tavai, Monty Rice, Cam Riley (R)

Jahlani Tavai is much closer to making this roster than many fans are willing to admit. We kept him off because the depth at off-ball linebacker is less necessary with guys like Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers and Marte Mapu all making the team.

Sorry, spoiler.

CB: (6)

In: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis II, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial Jr.
Out: DJ James, Miles Battle, Kobee Minor (R), Brandon Crossley (R), Jordan Polk (R)

Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis are a formidable duo, but depth behind them is lacking severely. Marcus Jones will see time in the slot, but his value comes on special teams. Alex Austin and Isiah Bolden haven’t been given any opportunities to grow beyond deep reserve roles, but there’s probably a reason for that.

Marcellas Dial got the last spot here, but that very well could change because there always seems to be one cornerback who shows out during the preseason and steals a job. Jordan Polk would be my guess, but let’s revisit that whole thing come August.

S: (7)

In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marcus Epps, Dell Pettus, Craig Woodson, Brenden Schooler, Marte Mapu
Out: Jaylinn Hawkins, Mark Perry, Josh Minkins

It’s a big group, yes, but we had to do that given our roster construction elsewhere.

Dugger, Peppers and Mapu will see plenty of time in the box, while Marcus Epps, Dell Pettus and Craig Woodson fill in the gaps given the situation or personnel faced. Brenden Schooler should continue to see time in that spy role, if not only because it’s fun watching him play with his hair on fire.

ST: (3)

In: Andres Borregales (K), Bryce Baringer (P), Julian Ashby (LS)
Out: John Parker Romo (K)

Got any questions on this one? No? Good.