The Patriots used the 2026 NFL Draft to attack the roster’s soft spots, and the linebacker/edge group was one of the clearest areas of focus. With K'Lavon Chaisson not re-signed in free agency and Jahlani Tavai eventually released, it made sense for New England to keep adding bodies there.
One of those additions was seventh-round linebacker/pass rusher Quintayvious Hutchins out of Boston College, a pick that carried a little extra buzz because he was staying close to home. Hutchins flashed enough during his college career to give the Patriots reason to believe there might be something to develop.
But spring workouts didn’t do him many favors. While other rookies and young defenders made noise, Hutchins mostly blended in, and that leaves him in a rough spot before training camp even opens. Right now, he has a steep climb just to get into the conversation for a final roster job.
The depth chart in front of him is crowded, and it starts at the top with Harold Landry, Robert Spillane, and Christian Elliss. Beyond that, Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson have already turned heads this offseason, and sixth-rounder Namdi Obiazor has also started to get attention. That only makes Hutchins’ path narrower.
For Hutchins, the next step has to be a run of strong practices that changes the way people are talking about him. So far, though, there hasn’t been enough evidence to say that’s coming.
And there’s another complication hanging over everything: he is facing an assault charge that still needs to be resolved before the season begins. That alone could be enough to derail his chances before he ever gets a real shot on the field.
It’s a long way from what the Patriots hoped for when they made the pick a few months ago. Hutchins now has to fight his way through competition and off-field uncertainty just to keep his NFL future alive.
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One idea making the rounds is a veteran addition at a relatively modest price, the kind of move that would not force the Patriots to overcommit but could still give them a more dependable option. The reasoning is straightforward enough: if the current depth chart feels too thin and the long-term picture is murky, a low-cost trade could be the cleanest way to stabilize the group without sacrificing much draft capital. [Read more 🡒]