Live from Patriots cutdown day: A look at the Pats' first 53-man roster
It's finally here.
Here's a look at the first Patriots 53-man roster of the 2022 NFL season:
Quarterback
Mac Jones, Brian Hoyer, Bailey Zappe
Running back
Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, Ty Montgomery, Pierre Strong
Cut: J.J. Taylor, Kevin Harris
Wide receiver
Jakobi Meyers, DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton
Cut: Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Tre Nixon, Josh Hammond / Injured reserve: Kristen Wilkerson
Tight end
Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith
Cut: Devin Asiasi, Matt Sokol, Jalen Wydermyer
Offensive line
Trent Brown, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Michael Onwenu, Isaiah Wynn, Yodny Cajuste, Justin Herron, Chasen Hines
Cut: Arlington Hambright, Drew Desjarlais, Yasir Durant, Will Sherman, Chasen Hines, Kody Russey, James Ferentz
Defensive line
Davon Godchaux, Christian Barmore, Lawrence Guy, Deatrich Wise, Sam Roberts, DeMarcus Mitchell, Carl Davis
Cut: LaBryan Ray, Henry Anderson, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Suspended: Daniel Ekuale / Injured reserve: Henry Anderson
Linebacker
Matthew Judon, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Mack Wilson, Raekwon McMillan, Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche, Jahlani Tavai
Cut: Cameron McGrone, Harvey Langi, Nate Wieland
Cornerback
Jalen Mills, Jonathan Jones, Myles Bryant, Marcus Jones, Jack Jones, Shaun Wade
Cut: Terrance Mitchell
Safety
Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Joshuah Bledsoe
Cut: Brad Hawkins
Special teams
Nick Folk, Jake Bailey, Joe Cardona, Matthew Slater, Cody Davis, Brenden Schooler
Cut: Tristan Vizaino, Justin Bethel
Undrafted rookie DaMarcus Mitchell makes Pats roster
The Patriots undrafted free agent streak continues.
According to a source, defensive lineman DaMarcus Mitchell has made the Patriots 53-man roster. Mitchell comes to the Patriots from Purdue where he made 22 tackles and four sacks in 11 games last season.
This summer, Mitchell was one of the Patriots undrafted standouts, making plays on both defense and special teams. The rookie finished with two special teams tackles to go with a forced fumble, quarterback hit and sack in three preseason games.
This marks the 19th-straight year the Pats will have an undrafted player on their initial 53-man roster.
Rookie Sam Roberts makes the Pats 53-man roster
The Patriots are well represented with small school prospects.
According to a source, sixth-round pick Sam Roberts has made the Patriots 53-man roster. Roberts is the Division II Defensive Player of the Year and comes to the Patriots from Northwest Missouri State. The defensive lineman had a really nice summer and looked dominant in the Patriots preseason opener against the New York Giants.
Roberts is the third Division II player on the Patriots roster, joining Matthew Judon and Kyle Dugger.
Safety Joshuah Bledsoe makes Pats 53-man roster
If you’re looking for a feel-good story, safety Joshuah Bledsoe has made the Patriots 53-man roster, according to a source.
The 2021 sixth-round pick missed his entire rookie season due to a wrist injury. Bledsoe entered this offseason as a player on the roster bubble, but played really well in OTAs, minicamp and training camp to earn a spot on the Pats loaded safety depth chart.
The Pats already have veterans Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, but Bledsoe’s work this summer spoke volumes.
Rookie OL Kody Russey released
The Patriots are releasing center Kody Russey, according to a source.
The undrafted rookie out of Houston had a solid summer for the Patriots. There was some speculation that he would make the 53-man roster. Instead, it looks like the Pats would like to sign Russey to their practice squad – if he clears waivers.
With Russey being released, it likely means that James Ferentz will be the Patriots top backup interior offensive lineman.
WRs Tre Nixon and Lil'Jordan Humphrey released
The Patriots are releasing wide receiver Tre Nixon, according to Pro Football Focus, and receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey, according to a source.
Nixon was on fire in minicamp, but the young receiver cooled off this summer in training camp. He did finish this preseason leading the Pats in receiving yards with 169 yards. Nixon is a prime candidate for the Patriots practice squad and won’t be a surprise to see him there this week if he’s not claimed on waivers.
Humphrey led the Patriots in receptions this preseason with 13. He also hauled in 140 receiving yards. He played well for the Patriots this summer and could also find his way back to the practice squad this week.
OL Bill Murray released
The Patriots have released offensive lineman Bill Murray, according to Pro Football Focus.
Murray joined the Patriots last year as a defensive tackle and spent the season on the practice squad. This offseason, he made the move to the offensive line where he practiced at guard. The Pats liked his athleticism and potential. Murray is a candidate for the Patriots practice squad.
LB Cameron McGrone released
The Patriots are releasing linebacker Cameron McGrone, according to a source.
Drafted by the Pats in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, McGrone missed all of last season due to a knee injury he suffered while at Michigan.
The 22-year-old made a solid impression in Foxboro last season learning behind the scenes. This summer, however, it became a numbers game at middle linebacker with Ja’Whaun Bentley, Raekwon McMillan and Mack Wilson.
DL Jeremiah Pharms and LB Nate Wieland released
The Patriots are releasing undrafted rookie linebacker Nate Wieland and defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr., according to multiple league sources.
Wieland was a late addition to Patriots camp, signing on Aug. 3. He came to New England from Grand View University. Pharms went to the Pats after playing in the USFL with the Pittsburgh Maulers.
The Pats have cut 14 players today and had 11 more roster moves to go.
WR Josh Hammond released
The Patriots are releasing wide receiver Josh Hammond, according to Pro Football Focus.
It’ll be interesting to see if any of the backup receivers behind Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton make the roster. Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Kristian Wilkerson and Tre Nixon are the candidates.
OL Will Sherman released
The Patriots continue to cut several backup offensive linemen.
According to a source, the Pats are releasing Will Sherman. The 6-foot-4-inch, 310-pound offensive lineman was drafted in the sixth round, 197 overall, in the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent most of last season on the practice squad, but did make his NFL debut in Week 5.
Pats cut Justin Bethel, Henry Anderson and J.J. Taylor
Another surprise cut is in after the Pats let go of three veteran players.
According to ESPN, the Patriots are releasing core special teamer Justin Bethel, defensive lineman Henry Anderson and running back J.J. Taylor are being released.
Bethel is one of the biggest surprises. A three-time Pro Bowler, the core special teamer has been one of the best gunners in the NFL and was considered a near-lock to make the roster. One possibility here is that the Patriots are going to keep undrafted free agent Brenden Schooler, who is also a core special teamer.
Anderson, 31, played only four games last season before landing on the injured reserve. The Pats seem well stocked on their defensive line. This could be another case of Anderson losing out to an undrafted rookie like DeMarcus Mitchell or LaBryan Ray.
Taylor is the second running back to be cut today, along with rookie Kevin Harris. He’s a practice squad candidate for the Patriots.
OL Arlington Hambright released
The Patriots are releasing offensive lineman Arlington Hambright, according to the NFL Network.
Hambright had a solid training camp for the Patriots. He earned some starter reps at right guard in practice and also placed some backup tackle this preseason. Hambright could find his way to the Patriots practice squad later this week.
This could open the door for someone like undrafted rookie Kody Russey to make the Patriots 53-man roster.
Rookie RB Kevin Harris released
The Patriots are releasing rookie running back Kevin Harris, according to the NFL Network.
Drafted in the sixth round, Harris finished strong this preseason but remained behind several others on the depth chart. Even with Ty Montgomery dealing with an ankle injury, the Pats are still well stocked with Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson and Pierre Strong.
Pats release LB Harvey Langi and OL Drew Desjarlais
The Patriots are starting to whittle down their roster.
According to multiple league sources, the Patriots are releasing offensive guard Drew Desjarlais and linebacker Harvey Langi.
Desjarlais came to the Patriots from the Canadian Football League. There’s a chance he signs with the team’s practice squad for added depth. Langi played in seven games last year with the Pats, making three tackles. He was considered a core special teamer.
Patriots to release CB Terrance Mitchell
It looks like the Patriots will be younger at cornerback this season.
According to a source, the Pats are releasing veteran cornerback Terrance Mitchell. The 30-year-old was brought in, with Malcolm Butler, during free agency as the Pats looked to revamp their cornerback depth chart this offseason. Butler was released from the injured reserve last week and today, Mitchell follows.
Mitchell was a full-time starter the last two seasons for Houston and Cleveland. The Pats, however, decided to move Jonathan Jones to outside cornerback. He’ll start opposite of Jalen Mills. The Pats also drafted two cornerbacks in Jack Jones and Marcus Jones.
ESPN was the first to report the news on Mitchell.
Patriots to cut TE Devin Asiasi
The first reported Patriots cut on Tuesday is a surprise.
According to Mike Giardi of the NFL Network, the Pats are releasing tight end Devin Asiasi.
The 2020 third-round pick had a disappointing start to his NFL career. Last season, Asiasi played in just one game and didn’t record a catch. As a rookie in 2020, Asiasi finished with two receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown. The Pats also released 2020 third rounder Dalton Keene, also a tight end, earlier this month.
The Pats will have at least two tight ends on their roster with Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. It remains to be seen if they keep a third.
Will the Pats undrafted free agent streak continue?
NFL cutdown day is here.
Tuesday marks the busiest time of the year as NFL teams will whittle their roster down from 80-to-53 players. In total, the league will see 864 players released. The wholesale roster movement is a time where dreams are both made and dashed.
It’s not unusual to see players you didn’t expect to make the team, landing on the Patriots initial 53-man roster. This year’s squad has included a highly competitive undrafted free agent class, which head coach Bill Belichick said was more competitive this offseason than years past. Standouts in this category include offensive lineman Kody Russey, special teamer Brenden Schooler and defensive linemen DeMarcus Mitchell and LaBryan Ray.
“We’ve had some very competitive players in that category this year. It seems like we usually do, but this year, maybe more than most,” Bill Belichick said. “Through the years we’ve had about as many guys as most teams have or some teams have that are really competitive with our late-round draft choices in terms of making the roster.
"... Once they get here, players are players. It’s not about how they got here, where they came from, what they did before that. It’s about what they do for the team and what they do for the team this year… I think we have some very competitive guys in that category.”
Three takeaways: QB Mac Jones and the Patriots' offense struggle in preseason finale
Providence Journal's predictions: Here's who we think will make the cut for this season's Patriots roster
If one of these players makes the team, it’ll mark the 18th-straight year an undrafted player makes the Patriots roster.
Stay tuned as we’ll update you with every move the Patriots make as they cut their roster down to 53.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Live from New England Patriots cutdown day
