Along with an exciting 11-player draft class, the Patriots have signed 16 undrafted rookies who will compete for a roster spot in training camp this summer.

On Thursday, New England announced the following undrafted rookies have been officially signed to the 90-man roster: T Cole Birdow, WR Demeer Blankumsee, WR Efton Chism III, G Jack Conley, CB Brandon Crossley, TE C.J. Dippre, FB Brock Lampe, RB Lan Larison, S Josh Minkins, CB Jordan Polk, LB Elijah Ponder, LB Cam Riley, DT Jahvaree Ritzie, TE Gee Scott Jr., WR Jeremiah Webb and QB Ben Wooldridge.

The Patriots have a great history of finding hidden gems through undrafted free agency. The Pats 19-year streak of a UDFA making the initial 53-man roster came to an end in 2023, but New England only skipped one year, with DB Dell Pettus making the initial cut last season. Along with having an undrafted rookie make the team in 20 of the last 21 seasons, several undrafted players have had excellent careers with the Patriots: David Andrews, Malcolm Butler, and Jonathan Jones are probably the most notable players who shined in Foxboro after going undrafted.

Although several undrafted rookies have a chance to make the Patriots roster, here are my top candidates to make the initial 53-man roster this summer.

TE C.J. Dippre, Alabama

Dippre was a projected 5th-6th rounder in my rankings due to his pro-ready frame, blocking upside, and untapped potential as a pass-catcher (8.71 RAS, 4.69s 40-yard dash). The Athletic's Dane Brugler also gave Dippre a 5th-6th round grade in his draft guide "The Beast," so I'm not the only one who thought the Alabama tight end would get drafted. The Pats have two tight ends locked into roster spots with starter Hunter Henry and steady TE2, Austin Hooper. However, it's a wide-open competition between 2024 seventh-rounder Jaheim Bell, Jack Westover, and Dippre for TE3.

Dippre can push Bell for the third tight end role due to his quality run-blocking tape as a more traditional in-line option. The Alabama product has NFL-caliber technique, size (6-5, 256lbs), and play strength to hold his own in the run game, with several flashy finishes on film. His 32 reps on the bench press show how strong his upper body is, while Dippre also has the athleticism to block in space or climb to the second level. Plus, he's sneaky quick as an underneath target, with the straight-line speed to get rolling downhill for yards after the catch. Dippre wasn't a featured receiver in the Crimson Tide offense, but you see flashes on screens and check-down throws in the flats.

Given that their two vets are reliable in-line options, the Patriots might favor Bell's versatility or even give the TE3 spot to a fullback. Still, Dippre was a good get as a draftable talent who could stick in the NFL.

EDGE Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly

Ponder is another player that many thought could get drafted on day three. Brugler had a late day-three grade on the Cal Poly product, while Ponder posted an elite 9.70 out of 10 relative athletic score at his Pro Day. Ponder also participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he had a fantastic practice week in front of NFL scouts. Many around the league thought Ponder would hear his name called on draft weekend, but an insanely deep edge rusher class caused him to go undrafted. Along with Ponder's potential, New England is expected to transition to more even fronts under head coach Mike Vrabel and DC Terrell Williams, and Ponder is a classic hand-down defensive end in a 4-3 scheme.

Ponder is a speed rusher with solid first-step explosiveness, bend, and burst to the quarterback to win off the edge. He can convert speed-to-power in the pass rush, has noticeable upper-body twitch to press-and-shed in the run game, and looks comfortable playing in space. After posting 51 pressures in 2023, opponents started to game-plan for Ponder in his final season at Cal Poly, which led to some statistical regression in 2024 (seven sacks, 38 pressures). But he did have a sack and five total pressures in an FBS contest against Stanford last season.

The Patriots have veterans Harold Landry, Anfernee Jennings, K'Lavon Chaisson, and fifth-rounder Bradyn Swinson as their top options at EDGE. Still, Ponder's scheme fit and upside could see him push for a roster spot.

WR Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington

Chism could be a training camp darling as the latest jitterbug slot receiver to compete for a roster spot in OC Josh McDaniels's offense. The Eastern Washington product ran a 4.71-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, which took him off many teams' draft boards, but his agility testing was spot-on for the role he will compete for in the slot. The 23-year-old posted elite agility scores with a 6.77s three-cone (79th percentile) and a 4.06s short shuttle (87th percentile). He's a classic quick, not fast slot who runs NFL-caliber routes.

The Pats rookie runs polished routes with a solid grasp of leverage and pacing, along with separation quickness to uncover. Chism will separate at the first two levels, is a natural on the juke series, and has punt return experience. He also has a feel for finding soft spots in short zones and will make the first defender miss after the catch. Chism won't be asked to run vertical routes, so his lack of straight-line speed doesn't hurt him there. However, he's not overly dynamic after the catch due to a lack of burst to run away from defenders. Yes, we are doing the undrafted quick-twitch slot receivers again (Riley McCarron and Austin Carr say hello).

RB Lan Larison, UC Davis

Larison is another prototypical McDaniels skill player with shades of Rex Burkhead in his game. The UC Davis product set a school record with 2,387 all-purpose yards last season. He is quick, not fast as a ball carrier and pass-catcher out of the backfield. Larison also posted great agility scores for a running back with a 6.93s three-cone (72nd percentile) and a 4.21s short shuttle (66th percentile) but only ran a modest 4.57s 40-yard dash. Although the 40-time is below average, it does help Larison's cause that the 40-yard dash isn't as important for running backs, which is a position that's more about vision and initial burst than long speed.

Larison's lack of top-end speed can lead to issues breaking away from the pack. However, his quickness allows him to find clean entry points by jump-cutting around bodies, and he wins at the top of routes as a mismatch against linebackers in the passing game. Larison forced 60 missed tackles last season due to his quickness, above-average contact balance, and lower-body thickness (5-10, 209 lbs). There's a skill set there to project Larison into a role as a sub-package or receiving back.

T/G Jack Conley, Boston College

It's not surprising that the Patriots brought in one Eagle along the offensive line, given line coach Doug Marrone's connection to the program. Boston College had three prospects in the mix to get drafted, with RT Ozzy Trapilo (56th overall to Bears) and C Drew Kendall (168th overall to Philly) getting the call. Most viewed Conley as a priority free agent, but his versatility could make him a valuable super-sub at the next level.

Conley (right guard, No. 67 above) is a stout blocker with good play strength and an anchor that should allow him to hold up against NFL power on the interior. Although he's not a great athlete, Conley's experience, versatility, and power give him a shot to make an NFL roster. In college, Conley logged 250-plus snaps at four different positions, both tackle and guard spots. He also has experience playing as an eligible tackle from tight end alignments. If you're going to make an NFL roster as a backup on the offensive line, it helps to have multi-position versatility like Conley does.

FB Brock Lampe, Northern Illinois

Lastly, the Patriots could bring back the fullback with McDaniels directing the offense. Historically, the Pats OC has always rostered a fullback, using a lead-blocker on downhill run staples such as lead ISO and two-back power/counter schemes. Fullbacks present several schematic advantages, such as adding a blocker on either side of the line to build larger blocking surfaces, lead blocking to the second level, or using a fullback to sell play-action. The fullback has also evolved some from the days of James Develin, with fullbacks being used more regularly in shotgun and pistol formations offset to the quarterback.

Lampe did it all for Northern Illinois, from traditional lead-blocking with the quarterback under center to in-line blocking, wing blocks, and sidecar formations out of the pistol. The Northern Illinois product isn't a dynamic receiving option, but he can block and catch open targets on check-downs. If the Patriots want to bring back the fullback, Lampe is currently the favorite as the only traditional fullback on the roster.

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