New England Patriots Set Initial 2024 Roster: Meet the Pats 53

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — With the preseason now firmly in the past, the New England Patriots now turn their attention to the upcoming NFL regular season.

The Patriots, on Tuesday, officially made their evaluations, based on position battles and individual performances, to set their initial 53-man roster.

After the expected release of veteran quarterback Bailey Zappe, and some surprise reductions — such the cut of running back Kevin Harris — it is time to meet the 2024 New England Patriots.

Quarterback (3): Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton

Out: Bailey Zappe

While head coach Jerod Mayo has yet to officially name his team’s starting quarterback, the Pats three choices for their initial roster are set. Despite his recent shoulder injury, Brissett still appears to be the front-runner to get the ball for their season opener on Sept. 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Still, Maye’s performance has given legitimacy to the possibility of his earning the job in short order. Milton’s arm strength and impressive field awareness gave him the edge over Zappe — who earned a great deal of praise from New England’s coaches throughout the preseason for handling a difficult scenario with professionalism.

Running back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty

Out: Kevin Harris, Terrell Jennings, Deshaun Fenwick

Throughout training camp, Stevenson continued to prove himself as the ideal steward of coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s offense — taking full advantage of his prowess in outside zone concepts. With Gibson joining Stevenson as a roster lock, Hasty gets the nod over Harris, Jennings and Fenwick as the team’s third option. Though his 23-yard catch-and-run off Maye’s pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in preseason game 2 was an eye-opener, Hasty has the resume to warrant a role on the active roster. The 27-year-old appeared in all 17 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 and rushed for 194 yards on 46 carries (4.2 YPC) to go along with 20 receptions for 126 yards receiving and three total touchdowns. He also added 97 kick return yards on special teams. The Patriots were able to sign him last season, due to the Jags logjam at the position. They should find him to be a versatile addition in Van Pelt’s offense. Despite a strong showing this summer, Harris was a surprise cut. However, the Patriots would be very interested in retaining his services via the practice squad, if possible.

Wide receiver (7): Ja'Lynn Polk, DeMario Douglas, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Reagor, Kayshon Boutte, Tyquan Thornton

Out: Kawaan Baker, David Wallis

PUP: Kendrick Bourne

Season-Ending IR: JaQuae Jackson

With Bourne starting the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the Pats fill the extra spot with Reagor —  thanks in part to his speed and expertise in the return game. Boutte also gets the nod due to his route-running talent allowing him to make an impact this season. Wallis performed gallantly throughout camp and the preseason, and should be a strong candidate for New England’s scout team.

Tight end (3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell

Out: Mitchell Wilcox, La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren

New England's tight ends may be among the easiest positional group on the roster to predict. Henry has been out with an undisclosed history, but will not start the season on an injury list. Hooper has performed well throughout camp, and should provide the Pats quarterbacks with a reliable veteran pass catcher. While the argument can be made for Bell being a practice squad candidate, his performance and collegiate resume will make it difficult for him to pass through waivers. Accordingly, the Pats gave Bell the third slot.

Offensive line (9): Chukwuma Okorafor, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson, Nick Leverett, Calvin Anderson, Michael Jordan

Out: Zuri Henry, Atonio Mafi, Charles Turner III, Liam Fornadel, Kellen Diesch, Calvin Anderson (injury designation)

PUP : Cole Strange

IR : Jake Andrews, Tyrone Wheatley Jr.

Despite their well-documented struggles, the Patriots have repeatedly deployed a starting offensive line consisting of Lowe at left tackle, Sow at left guard, Andrews at center, Onwenu at right guard and Okorafor at right tackle to protect presumed starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett. While the collective effort of the unit has progressed since the start of camp, the team’s tackles have still struggled with sealing off pass rushers along the ends. Wallace has been one of the team’s strongest performers this preseason, and projects as a future standout within the unit. The health of Sow (ankle) and Lowe (oblique) will be watched closely over the next few days —  perhaps prompting New England to seek additional help at the position outside the organization.

Defensive line (6): Deatrich Wise, Keion White, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms, Trysten Hill

Out: Sam Roberts, Armon Watts, William Bradley-King, Jotham Russell, Josiah Bronson

IR : Christian Barmore

With Barmore likely out indefinitely, the Pats will look to both Wise and Godchaux for veteran leadership. Pharms has more than asserted himself as a potential force within the Pats line, and could be a contender for a starting role. Following the trade of Matthew Judon, White may be called upon to play more of a linebacker role this season. However, he exhibits both physical size and athleticism to continue his success as a true defensive end. His ability to be effective all over the defensive front could lead to a breakout role this season. Watts was a surprising cut, based on his veteran experience and prominent placement among the Pats’ offseason free agent signings. However, a quiet camp, along with the emergence of Hill ultimately made him expendable.

Linebacker (7): Anfernee Jennings, Oshane Ximines, Jahlani Tavai, Josh Uche, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Christian Elliss, Raekwon McMillan

Out: Joe Giles-Harris, Steele Chambers, Kobe Jones

PUP : Sione Takitaki

In addition to White, several of New England’s linebackers will need to step up in Judon’s absence. The Pats face the daunting task of attempting to fill the large void in their pass rush without the four-time ProBowler to control the pass rush on third-down. Therefore, the Pats must rely on their linebackers and defensive backs to create stunts. Preseason standouts such as Ximines, Elliss and McMillan have proven their value in such situations. Giles-Harris has performed well this summer, and was left on the cutting room floor due only to the numbers crunch.

Cornerback (7): Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Marco Wilson, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial, Jr.

Out: Shaun Wade, Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor

Carrying seven cornerbacks, yet still believing that notable talent was left behind, is only a testament to the Pats depth and promise at the position. Wilson and Austin have each demonstrated an ability to be solid depth pieces behind presumed starters Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan and Marcus Jones. Bolden’s ability to stay in-step with his target, along with his special teams prowess, makes him a reasonable addition. Wade was yet another tough cut, having performed well throughout the summer in all roles — especially in the slot. As a late-round rookie draft pick, Dial should factor into the Pats reserve plans at the position sooner rather than later.

Safety (5): Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler, Dell Pettus

Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, A.J. Thomas

IR: Marte Mapu

New England will once again deploy one of the top starting safety tandems in the NFL with Dugger and Peppers. However, the depth pieces behind them and showing themselves worthy of attention. Hawkins has routinely provided veteran savvy, while Schooler has shown some range at safety, in addition to his prowess on special teams. As Mapu has sparingly seen the practice fields throughout the past few weeks, his starting the season on an injured list is a possibility which must be considered. Pettus is the pleasant surprise, as his performance to date makes him worthy of retention.

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Specialists (3): Joey Slye, Joe Cardona, Bryce Baringer

Out: Chad Ryland, Tucker Addington

Perhaps lost in the drama surrounding both the quarterbacks and the offensive line, the Patriots had quite an interesting positional battle at kicker. Veteran Joey Slye made a strong push in his efforts to win the job from second-year kicker Chad Ryland. Slye’s strength will be an asset within the new kickoff rules. Additionally, his veteran savvy and ability to kick for distance gave him the edge over the Pats fourth-rounder, who could remain with the team via the practice squad.