It won’t be long before Eliot Wolf, Jerod Mayo and the Patriots are forced to make tough decisions.
And while New England has plenty of roster locks entering training camp, which begins July 24, there are plenty of other players who could go either way.
We predicted eight surprise cuts the Patriots could make when they crunch their roster down to 53 players at the end of training camp.
Bailey Zappe, QB
OK, so maybe this wouldn’t be a big surprise. Zappe has felt like he would be the odd man out as soon as the Patriots picked a pair of quarterbacks (Drake Maye, Joe Milton III) in the 2024 NFL Draft. The third-year signal-caller saw a decline in reps as the spring went on, and it wouldn’t surprise if that trend continued in camp as the Patriots try to get Jacoby Brissett and Maye up to speed.
Joe Milton III, QB
Will Zappe or Milton be cut? That was the debate throughout the spring with many expecting it to be the former. But what if it’s both? New England could have to do some roster juggling to get down to 53 players, and if the organization feels it can cut Milton and re-sign him to the practice squad, maybe that’s what it tries to do. After all, while Milton’s ceiling made him worthy of his sixth-round selection, the reality is the Patriots have their quarterback of the future in Maye.
Cole Strange, OL
It’s expected Strange will start the season on New England’s physically unable to perform list as he recovers from a significant knee injury. It means he won’t count against the 53-man roster, and thus makes him a less likely cut candidate in late August. But the Patriots enter training camp with plenty of healthy bodies on the interior, including a handful of first- and second-year players. Strange’s roster spot felt a bit up in the air even before it was reported he could be out until the middle of the season.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
The Patriots have plenty of bodies in the receiver room and thus will have to trim down significantly. Smith-Schuster, who said he’s feeling much healthier entering this season than he was in an underwhelming 2023 campaign, is behind at least three roster locks in Demario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Add Kendrick Bourne, who’s recovering from injury, and veteran offseason signee K.J. Osborn, and Smith-Schuster feels like one of five guys fighting for one or two spots.
Tyquan Thornton, WR
Much of what was just mentioned about Smith-Schuster can be applied to Thornton, too. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Thornton impressed during the pad-less organized team activities, but wasn’t as noticeable at the end of the spring. With two rookies coming in, Thornton’s tenure in New England very well could end unless he shows out in training camp. It would end an underwhelming run for the 2022 second-round pick, who was selected two picks before the Pittsburgh Steelers’ George Pickens.
Austin Hooper, TE
New England signed the veteran Hooper this offseason, marking his fourth team in the last four seasons. Hooper, known more for his blocking than pass-catching prowess, has experience in Alex Van Pelt’s offense and enters camp as the second tight end behind Hunter Henry. Seventh-round rookie Jaheim Bell feels like he’s competing for New England’s third spot.
Chad Ryland, K
The Patriots brought in competition for Ryland, who struggled mightily as a rookie, with veteran Joey Slye. And while neither showed a typical NFL range, Slye was more consistent in the spring. Could the Patriots add another foot to the competition and head into the campaign with them? It’s possible.
Marcellas Dial, CB
Defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington only received one draftee on his side of the ball, and in this case, the Patriots don’t bring him into camp. Dial, a sixth-round pick, possesses the versatility to carve out a role in the secondary, but the Patriots are deep back there. Should New England release Dial amid the roster crunch it likely would be done with the expectation he signs to New England’s practice squad.
