The New England Patriots are heading into training camp with a roster picture that’s still very much in motion, but that hasn’t stopped the early 53-man projections from taking shape. With practices about to ramp up, three preseason games still ahead, and cutdown day set for Aug. 30, there’s plenty of time for the depth chart to shift. For now, though, the early read is clear enough: some spots are already spoken for, while a handful of jobs are going to come down to who makes the strongest case over the summer.
At quarterback, there doesn’t appear to be much suspense. Drake Maye, coming off what the projection calls an impressive showing in his second season, is expected to keep the job. The backups are there as insurance, not competition.
The backfield looks more layered. Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson are treated as locks for the top two running back spots, but the third chair is still up for grabs. Terrell Jennings, Lan Larison, Jam Miller and Myles Montgomery are all in the mix, and Jennings is the one projected to land it thanks to his NFL game experience.
At fullback, the Patriots’ offseason move says plenty. They signed Khari Blasingame to a three-year deal in free agency, which effectively hands him the job after a year of piecing things together with converted tight end Jack Westover. Brock Lampe, who had looked good a year ago, was recently released, a sign the team wants Blasingame handling the role on his own.
Wide receiver is where things get interesting. Kayshon Boutte, despite what the projection describes as a career year in 2025, is viewed as being on the outside after a summer filled with trade chatter.
Efton Chism III is also in the mix, though he could lose the slot job to DeMario Douglas. Kyle Dixon, meanwhile, is the under-the-radar rookie who could force his way onto the roster because of what he brings on offense and special teams.
Tight end took a hit when Julian Hill got hurt for the year. A few weeks ago, the plan was for Hunter Henry, Hill and Eli Raridon to fill out the room, but Hill’s injury pushed Raridon into the second spot.
That leaves the blocking tight end role open, with Jack Westover’s former teammate Pharaoh Brown? No - the projection points to Mitchell Dippre as the veteran with the edge over rookies Tanner Arkin and Jeremiah Franklin.
Up front, the starting five has been settled for a while: Campbell, Vera-Tucker, Wilson, Onwenu and Moses. The bigger question is the backup tackle group, and that’s where the projection sees Lomu and Crownover winning the swing tackle jobs over James Hudson. Brown and Rupcich are slotted as the reserve interior linemen, while Caedan Wallace - who has played both guard and tackle - is the odd man out.
Defensive tackle has some real intrigue too. Leonard Taylor III, who turned into a strong story last season after being released by the New York Jets, has done enough this spring to stay in the picture. Eric Gregory and Isaiah Iton are part of the younger crowd at the position, but Farmer’s upside is hard to overlook.
Edge rusher is one of the more unsettled spots. Mike Vrabel has said he isn’t worried, but the concerns are still there.
Landry is on the physically unable to perform list, and Jacas has not signed his rookie contract yet. That puts more pressure on Ponder and Swinson, the second-year players who flashed in rotational roles when they got chances as rookies.
At linebacker, the top is set with Spillane and Elliss. After that, it’s a matter of who rises.
Britt was signed in free agency, and Muma handled the play-calling duties during minicamp, which gives those two the inside track. TCU rookie Namdi Obiazor is still worth watching, especially with his special teams background.
Cornerback also has a fairly defined top group. The first five names are treated as roster locks.
Vildor arrived on a one-year free-agent deal, and Prunty came in as the team’s fifth-round draft pick. The real question is whether New England keeps more than five corners.
Dial, who tore his ACL in training camp a year ago, brings core special teams value and could stick. Charles Woods filled that role in 2025 and could end up taking that final spot instead.
Safety looks sturdy at the top. Byard and Woodson could wind up being one of the best duos in the league this season.
Behind them, Brown has emerged as a strong backup and special teams piece during the early camps. Pettus and Schooler have defensive backgrounds, but their biggest impact comes on punt units.
Special teams is mostly settled. Borregales, the first kicker drafted last season, finished his rookie year strongly and is projected to keep the job in year two, even if the Patriots decide to bring in competition over the summer. Baringer is entering a contract year after a postseason that didn’t go as well as he’d like, but the two rookie tryout punters brought in after the draft - Mitch McCarthy and Devin Bale - did not stick around to challenge him.
At long snapper, Ashby has already outlasted Niko Lalos, who signed in free agency, and Kneeland Hibbett, a rookie minicamp tryout player. The second-year snapper has built a connection with both Borregales and Baringer, which helps him round out the roster picture.
There’s still a long way to go before Aug. 30, but this first pass makes the Patriots’ summer competition look pretty straightforward in some spots and wide open in others.
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