Cutdown day came and went without any major surprises for the Patriots by Tuesday's 4 pm ET deadline.
Although trade rumors were swirling heading into roster cuts, New England didn't move any significant pieces on Tuesday. Instead, defensive holdovers such as Kyle Dugger and Anfernee Jennings remain on the roster, while the Patriots will initially carry eight wide receivers as that position group continues to sort itself out.
Let's keep in mind that rosters in the NFL are always fluid. Teams have until noon ET on Wednesday to claim players off waivers, and those claimed must be added to a team's 53-man roster. Then, teams can fill out their 16-man practice squad, so the bottom of the roster remains in flux.

Here's a position-by-position breakdown of the Patriots initial 53-man roster.
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs
After releasing third-string QB Ben Wooldridge in the first cutdown wave, the Patriots went chalk at the quarterback position…for now. With second-year QB Drake Maye as the entrenched starter, New England signed Dobbs in free agency as a veteran backup to its young gunslinger. Most could've predicted that the Patriots would carry these two quarterbacks into the season back in March. However, an uneven summer for Dobbs and Wooldridge failing to push for reps leaves some uncertainty at the position behind Maye. Given the uncertainty at backup quarterback, the Pats could add a third quarterback with some NFL experience. Multiple teams carried four quarterbacks in camp, so there are options.
Running Back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, TreVeyon Henderson
After an outstanding summer for their second-round pick, the Patriots will carry three running backs on their initial roster. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson is a special talent based on early returns, pairing well with early-down back Rhamondre Stevenson. Gibson could also have a role spelling the Henderson-Stevenson duo while returning kicks, and in the event that Stevenson's fumbling issues persist, Gibson's playing time could increase. Henderson will be a big-time factor for the Patriots offense on the ground and through the air, but managing his workload to keep the rookie fresh will be critical. From this perspective, a Lions-like platoon with Stevenson in the David Montgomery role and Henderson's usage mimicking Jahmyr Gibbs makes sense.
Wide Receiver (8): Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III, Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne
IR: Ja'Lynn Polk (season-ending)
The Patriots are going heavy at wide receiver, with Baker and Chism making the initial roster. Plus, Bourne will start the season on the active roster after missing the last several weeks of camp. Starting with the undrafted rookie, there was little doubt that Chism would make the team after posting six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown in the Pats second preseason game (four catches, 63 yards, TD on one drive). Chism's ability to uncover quickly, work underneath zones and finish plays make him a natural fit for the slot receiver role in McDaniels' offense. As for Baker, the former fourth-rounder solidified his roster spot by developing into a special teams contributor. Baker could be an impact gunner in punt coverage while still developing as a wide receiver. We'll see if all seven receivers hold their spots moving forward, but it became clear as the roster declared that Baker and Chism would make the team.
The one mild surprise is that Bourne, who hasn't practiced since Aug. 1, will open the season on the active roster. Bourne was a candidate to begin the season on injured reserve. If the Patriots have injuries or inconsistent play at receiver, Bourne is waiting in the wings as a potential contributor in an offense he's familiar with from his year with McDaniels in 2021 (55 catches, 800 yards, 5 TDs). There are still questions about New England's top-end talent at wide receiver, but the Patriots enter the regular season with a much deeper room than in years past.
Tight End (3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover
With several roster candidates heading into camp, Westover won the third tight end spot behind key contributors Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper. Westover's versatility likely gave him an edge over the Patriots other options. After placing FB Brock Lampe on season-ending injured reserve earlier this summer, Westover began repping at fullback, adding lead-blocking to his repertoire along with traditional tight end. McDaniels' offenses have always featured a fullback, and Westover appears to be the guy, while Henry and Hooper will remain featured pass-catchers. One name to keep an eye on from other roster moves around the league: FB Jakob Johnson was released by the Texans. Given his history with McDaniels and skill set as a more traditional fullback, the Patriots could be interested in Johnson reuniting with McDaniels.
Offensive Line (9): Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Garrett Brabdury, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Marcus Bryant, Ben Brown, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace
Although it's starting to declare in recent practices, the Patriots had a lengthy camp battle along the offensive line this summer. Ultimately, it appears that rookie C/G Jared Wilson and veteran C Garrett Bradbury will be New England's starting left guard and center in Week 1, respectively, leaving the Patriots with the following starting five: LT Campbell, LG Wilson, C Bradbury, RG Onwenu, and RT Moses. From there, the Pats also had camp competitions for backup roles. At tackle, the depth spots went to seventh-rounder Marcus Bryant and holdover Vederian Lowe, with Bryant currently projecting as the top swing tackle. On the interior, Brown appears to be the top backup thanks to his ability to swing to all three interior positions, while former third-rounder Caedan Wallace made a late push to continue developing as a possible guard/tackle flex.
With the Patriots keeping Brown and Wallace as their top interior backups, former first-rounder Cole Strange did not make the initial roster. Strange, who has made 29 starts in the last three seasons after being selected No. 29 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, was given opportunities at guard and center, but was edged out by Brown in that role. New England will go into the season with four new projected starters on the offensive line, while Vrabel and company also turned over some of the depth options.
Defensive Line (5): Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, Jeremiah Pharms, Joshua Farmer
There weren't any major surprises on the interior defensive line. Barmore and Williams will be impact playmakers in New England's defensive front, while Tonga has impressed this summer with a more well-rounded skillset than expected. The Pats signed the veteran nose tackle to be a run-stuffer, which is still his primary role, but Tonga has flashed some juice as a bull-rusher in pass rush situations. Barmore, Tonga, and Williams are the projected leaders in the Patriots interior D-Line rotation, while Pharms and Farmer serve as backups. A fifth-rounder in the 2025 NFL Draft, Farmer flashed with three total pressures and three run stuffs in preseason action. The Florida State product has exceptional length and good raw power to dent the pocket. Farmer could be a solid rotational piece on the defensive line with continued development.
Edge Defender (5): Harold Landry, K'Lavon Chaisson, Keion White, Anfernee Jennings, Elijah Ponder
Based on several reports, the Patriots were open to trading edge-setter Anfernee Jennings, who is not viewed as a scheme fit in an aggressive defensive system. Whether the trade rumors were accurate or not, Jennings is on New England's initial roster, which makes sense from a depth standpoint. Along with several other defensive holdovers who fit the old scheme, there could come a time when Vrabel gets proper scheme fits for his defense. Until then, Jennings is a capable edge defender who showed out against lesser competition in the preseason (three sacks, six stops) and was a solid starter last season (31 pressures, 41 stops). Chaisson, Landry, and White will most likely play most of the snaps on the edge, but if there is a need to call upon him, Jennings is a capable option. Lastly, Ponder's strong camp performance earned the undrafted rookie a roster spot. Although it remains to be seen how much he'll play on defense as a rookie, Ponder could be a core special-teamer in his first NFL season.
Linebacker (4): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Marte Mapu
IR: Jahlani Tavai (designated to return)
With the veteran linebacker beginning the season on injured reserve, a position switch to linebacker and Tavai's injury opened the door for Mapu to make the initial roster. Mapu began flashing at linebacker in the Patriots preseason win over the Vikings, but solidified his roster spot by flying around the field in the preseason finale. The 2023 third-rounder's block deconstruction at the second level of the defense has improved, but his ability to play in coverage and on special teams has allowed him to stick on the roster. As a former nickel-safety, Mapu can handle more challenging coverage assignments, such as covering pass-catching running backs and tight ends. With the Patriots projected to start Elliss (WLB) and Spillane (MIKE), Gibbens could be a short-yardage run-stuffing option while Mapu could play on passing downs, and both reserve linebackers project as core special-teamers this season.
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, DJ James
As two camp risers who took advantage of Davis and Gonzalez being limited this summer, Austin and James claimed the final two spots in the cornerback room. Austin, who originally joined the team in 2023, has been pushing for reps as a top-three corner in camp. Mainly, the Pats brass spoke publicly about this defensive scheme calling for a big nickel defender. The 6-foot-1 cornerback and projected top slot CB Marcus Jones could be in a rotation depending on week-to-week matchups. For example, if the Patriots are playing a big slot receiver or a pass-catching tight end, Austin could draw that assignment, while Jones would cover the shifty speed slots. Austin will still play outside corner, too, but he has shown that he can also play inside. Lastly, seventh-rounder Kobee Minor is one of two Patriots draft picks released on cutdown day, joining fifth-round pick Bradyn Swinson.
Safety (5): Jabrill Peppers, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins, Kyle Dugger, Dell Pettus
Dugger is another Patriot defender who was in trade rumors as cutdown day approached. The veteran safety fell down the depth chart this summer due to changes in the scheme while working back from offseason ankle surgery. The Pats safeties will likely need to cover more ground in the backend rather than flying downhill to make plays near the line of scrimmage. Plus, it's possible that the coaching staff viewed Dugger as redundant to Peppers, with both holdovers profiling as strong safeties best utilized closer to the ball. In the preseason finale, Peppers surprisingly played 21 snaps while the Patriots rested most of their starters. The reasoning was that the staff wanted to see Peppers playing next to rookie S Craig Woodson, while Woodson has also been repping with Hawkins in recent practices. Based on training camp, the Pats safety trio projects to be Hawkins, Peppers, and Woodson, with Dugger being a reserve. As we wrote with Jennings, it still felt premature to move on from Dugger, who is a starting-caliber safety when he's right.
Special Teams (4): Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby, Brenden Schooler
The Patriots will have a rookie kicker and long snapper this season. The Pats sixth-round pick won a competitive kicking competition this summer over first-year K Parker Romo. Over the last week or so, there were signs that Borregales was gaining an advantage over Romo, with the rookie handling most of the kicking duties dating back to the joint practices in Minnesota. That said, Borregles missed two kicks from 49 yards and 57 yards, finishing the preseason 3-for-5 on field goals, while Romo had an impressive summer. The first-year kicker will need to clear waivers before he can return to the practice squad, so there's a chance New England was trying to hide Romo by having Borregales attempt all the kicks in the preseason finale vs. the Giants. Ideally, Romo returns on the practice squad as insurance.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer