2025 Offseason Roster, Depth Chart & Roster Projections

[imahobgoblin]

One thing I learned today from Brian Hoyer via Phil Perry is that on the Patriots, the slot is the 'Z' receiver and the flanker is the 'F'. Not taking issue with the way you have it described which is the conventional and more easily understood nomenclature.

Hoyer also said, again via Phil Perry, that for the Patriots, Williams will be an X only. The reason wasn't given, but I assume it's because he doesn't have the full route tree. I like the idea of Williams being on the field for more obvious passing downs while Hollins, and his blocking, gets reps on more 50/50 run/pass downs

Can you link that please? I really want to hear and understand that.

 

[manxman2601]

Can you link that please? I really want to hear and understand that.

It was talked about on the Phil Perry/Tom Curran podcast. There really wasn't much more to it than what I said but happy to link it



19:18 in.

 

[BobDigital]

Sorry.. Must have been making mine the same time you were making yours. Maybe that thread should be thrown in here?

 

[imahobgoblin]

I've been reading some NFL Analyst's that are predicting that the Patriots will trade (for a very low round pick), or cut Rhamondre Stevenson. One source even speculated the Patriots being able to obtain Rachaad White from Tampa Bay for a late round pick. I believe AVP utilized Antonio Gibson not enough/incorrectly and would absolutely keep him (as he has a workhorse back build, but a solid receiver). Josh will definitely use Gibson properly. What say you Patsfans.com Folks? Would you be on-board with such a moves(s), or not. By the way, I'm not saying that we should do it or that such a move(s) is possible, I'm just reporting what I've been reading.

I don't like this at all. Rham is the battering ram of the bunch. His skill set is yards after contact, at which he is a total beast. He is a fumbler though. I don't think 7 is going to be the norm, but he will continue to have issues. I will attribute his lack of focus to idiots who don't know how to coach or communicate enough to figure out who is or isn't in a starting lineup. They put him into a position to fail. He failed. So let's put him in a position to win and see what he does.

 

[Toofy]

I think the cuts will be more brutal than expected. Also have to remember there's still FA, the team still has money to spend, and its situation post-draft is more clear.

Offense 25

QB 2 Maye Dobbs - Still hate the Milton trade. Anyway it's done, and you're right, it'll be Maye-Dobbs unless something bad happens

TE 3 Hunter Hooper DIPPRE (UDFA) - Dippre looks like a legit Y tight end, and McDaniels always used those a lot. I'd guess he beats out both fullbacks. If Lampe does well, he's more likely to make it to the practice squad than Dippre, which could be a factor. This is a good unit! The backs are a good unit now too. Even the receivers might be good. It's disorienting.

WR 6 Diggs WILLIAMS Boutte Douglas Hollis CHISM - Just don't think Bourne has a future here, Maye seemed to like throwing to Boutte, and ending up with 3 vets and three young players makes sense. They might as well rip the band-aid off with Baker and Polk early. Felger will get at least three tumescent weeks of bashing the Polk pick after he's cut. The Douglas-Chism thing is interesting because Pop isn't a true slot receiver, while Chism seems to have modeled his game after the NE slot guys. This offense doesn't really work without that player being a high volume target, and that isn't who Pop is. But, Pop is a good player and can be useful.

C 2 Bradbury WILSON Would they still have cut Andrews if they knew they were going to get Wilson?

G 4 Onwenu Sow Strange CONLEY (UDFA) - As the OP noted a team with this many problems up front needs bodies. I like the idea of Conley because he could be a RT down the road. Schweitzer became expendable once they got Wilson. If he's your third C and not at least your third best guard, why keep him?

OT 4 CAMPBELL Moses Lowe Wallace - Wallace could be fighting Bryant or Lowe here. I don't really care who wins, but it's conspicuous (and nerve-wracking) that they took a career left tackle in the same draft as Campbell, and also conspicuous they didn't obviously address LG. Nonetheless I've decided to enjoy believing the line problems are solved for at least a few months.

RB 4 HENDERSON Stevenson Gibson LARISON (UDFA) - It's crazy how much they changed the perception of the team with the Henderson pick. They have three RBs now who can split wide as receivers (remember Gibson used to be one). If the line holds up they should be able to do all kinds of fun stuff... I don't remember what that's like.

Defense 25

DL 5 - Milton Barmore FARMER Pharms Roy - I put down 5 (I think Roy beats out Tonga) but my guess is they add an unknown acquisition before camp. This is one spot where they could have used more depth and didn't get it. Milton-Farmer-Barmore could be hilarious to watch.

EDGE 5 - Landry White Chaisson SWINSON Jennings PONDER (UDFA) - White's going to be more and more on the inside going forward and they need more youth here, hence the Ponder add. If neither Ponder nor Swinson play this year, they're in trouble. They do already have a ton more pass rush than last year.

LB 3 - Spillaine Elliss Gibbens - I don't see Tavai making it, and I'm not really sure what linebackers do in Vrabel's defense, so going with three here.

CB 5 - Gonzalez Davis Marcus Jones Austin MINOR - They'll be drafting corners high next year. It's a little weird they didn't go after more of a pure cover corner in the draft, but I'm giving them the benefit of knowing something about Minor we don't. This would be a great place for someone like Brandon Crossley to bust out as a camp surprise.

S 7 - Dugger Peppers Epps Hawkins Mapu Schooler WOODSON - The Pats sure have a lot of safeties who aren't quite linebackers and aren't great in coverage. I've decided to believe this is a good thing. Pettus not making it feels wrong. If Woodson can fill the Hawkins role that still might happen.



ST 3

LS - ASHBY - Drafting a LS who doesn't win the job would be more fodder for Felger. Vrabel & co really seem intent on getting rid of all ties to the old glory years.
K - BORREGALES - Have a feeling he's going to be a fan favorite. BTW the mustache factor will be pretty high on this team if Larison makes it. Something to monitor maybe.
P - Baringer - It's weird having a coach who's not obsessed with punting. I almost forgot we had a punter, and realizing that felt good. Is that what other fans of other teams experience?

I tend to agree with you mostly sans two changes. A FB will make the team and I think we will go with just 3 guards with Wallace being swing tackle / guard.

CB + safeties total will be 10 instead of 11. I dont think minor will make it , I just feel it was a wtf pick to rub some feathers and done in jest. 0 chance he makes it. And that spot could go to a LB. Not sure who that is. Tavai could be traded or cut.


Rest all I am completely in sync.

 

[JohnJH]

I don't like this at all. Rham is the battering ram of the bunch. His skill set is yards after contact, at which he is a total beast. He is a fumbler though. I don't think 7 is going to be the norm, but he will continue to have issues. I will attribute his lack of focus to idiots who don't know how to coach or communicate enough to figure out who is or isn't in a starting lineup. They put him into a position to fail. He failed. So let's put him in a position to win and see what he does.

I concede that the HC and the rest of the coaching staff from last year was a complete and total Flustercluck. Add to that the lack of skill position talent on offense, combined with a horrific OL, and I think even HOF RB's would have had a really horrible season. All of that being said, he's on a short leash with Vrabel. If the OL alone is improved to the point where there's no reason for his fumbling so frequently, and/or he fails to perform in other area's, then he's gone.

 

[JohnJH]

The UDFA OL player from BC who's listed at 6'6 and 330 and can play multiple positions, if he shows real ability, I could see him eventually sliding into Onwenu's RG position and also serve as a backup RT (both positions he primarily played in at college. Especially if cutting Onwenu next season gives them a lesser cap hit (as some on here have said as I'm not sure). Giving Onwenu almost RT money was Bill's doing. Vrabel might be looking for alternatives, especially if Onwenu doesn't loose some weight and get in much better shape. I also looked at OT prospects in next year's draft. There's a couple of highly rated Day 1 starting RT's who could be there as our long term RT after Moses leaves and if Campbell become the LT Stud we hope he becomes, we could have a pair of bookend OT's for the long haul. It'll also depend on if Wallace can play well enough at RT, or will they view him more as a RG (which his scouting report said would be his best NFL position).

 

[imahobgoblin]

I concede that the HC and the rest of the coaching staff from last year was a complete and total Flustercluck. Add to that the lack of skill position talent on offense, combined with a horrific OL, and I think even HOF RB's would have had a really horrible season. All of that being said, he's on a short leash with Vrabel. If the OL alone is improved to the point where there's no reason for his fumbling so frequently, and/or he fails to perform in other area's, then he's gone.

I think this is totally fair. The problem is not the skill level. Its focus, commitment, or motivation. He earned the short leash, but should be allowed to earn more trust. Fumbling sometimes comes from trying to do too much rather than just going down. He has a huge after contact rate and needs to find a balance between that and fumbling.

 

[PYPER]

I think you're all forgetting about Marcellas Dial Jr at CB. He played well last season. One of the few rookies who did

 

[mgteich]

I think that several of our veterans will be gone. Candidates include
Boutte
Baker
Bourne
Stevenson
Gibson
Andrews
Sow
Robinson
Roy

And obviously those that we already gone
Jacobs
Brown
Johnson

Yeah it's early, but let's look at it anyway.

Offense 25

QB 2 Maye Dobbs - They don't carry a 3rd QB this year on the 53.

TE 3 Hunter Hopper DIPPRE(UDFA) - Dippre beats out the field and ends up the squad. Most didn't even play last year. So while there will be 3 or 4 other guys competing for the spot. I don't see it in doubt. If he shows as a block like i think he will they know they can't cut him.

WR 6 Diggs WILLIAMS Boutte Douglas Hollis Polk - They will give Polk every chance to make this roster. They just will. He could be cut, but they will give him every benefit of the doubt and inside track till the final minute. They don't want to be the team to give up the the 37th overall ranked guy in 1 year just to see him get right with another team. They want to turn him around given his talent and would love to give their program time to do it. 95% he sticks. Hollins is Vrabel's guy. He's the vet presence and example they know Diggs isn't. He is sticking. Douglas could be odd man out if Polk shows signs of life and Chism balls out. For now though, this is the list.

C 2 Bradburry WILSON - No surprise here. Bradburry probably starts the year, Wilson finishes it.

G 3 Onwenu Wes Strange - Wilson backs up here too. May even play some snaps. I don't see a 4th guard worth carrying. As much as I hate to say it. Campbell is probably the emergency back up... though it makes 2 spots weaker. Maybe if Wilson takes his spot Bradburry becomes emergency guard too? Don't know if he's ever played it.

OT 4 CAMPBELL Moses Lowe Wallace - So yeah... Only 9 OL men on the 53. Which isn't great for a position that is still a weakness.

RB 4 HENDERSON Stevenson Gibson LARISON(UDFA) - Larison makes the squad. Jennings isn't keeping him off. They pick up a PS guy here.

FB 1 BROCK LAMPE(UDFA) - I think they want a FB on this team. Vrabel likes them.

Defense 24

DL 5 - Milton Barmore FARMER Pharms Tonga - No surprise here. I think they go with this group.

EDGE 5 - Landry White Chaisson SWINSON Jennings - Again, the D is pretty clear. I don't see the competition here.. Maybe Jennings faces some... but i kind of doubt it.

LB 4 - Spillaine Elliss Gibbens Tavai - Mapu as the joker is also kind of the 5th guy here.

CB 4 - Gonzo Davis M Jones Alex - Woodson probably plays 5th man at this spot as well. Alex shouldn't be challeneged and he'd be the guy to be.

S 5 - Dugger Peppers Epps Hawkins WOODSON - No surprises will happen.

Joker 1 - Mapu

STs 4

LS - Ashby - Thanks for the memories Cardona! We wish you the best!
K - Borregales - new guys take these spots clearly.
P - Baringer
ST - Schooler (DB) - not really being talked about enough when it comes to rosters... But he did make the probowl as a STs and AP1. So he's sticking 100%

PS

Wooldridge QB - They needed a 3rd guy but that 3rd guy won't make the 53. He goes here.
Chism - WR - While i kind of like him to take a spot... it is going to be hard to say if he will at the start of the year but look out mid year... unless Polk just continues to implode epically. Or if he shows out so good we feel okay letting Douglas walk.
Braynt - OT - Bryant probably has the inside track as the 5th guy. Probably too raw but makes it here.
Minkins - DB
Minor - DB

Let's play Game 1!

I expect that we will keep a 10th OL instead of a 5th RB/FB.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

I'd personally like to keep Boutte unless he's a problem child.
He was a stallion B4 he got hurt and had issues with the CS.
IF he's a problem, get rid of him without question.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I've been reading some NFL Analyst's that are predicting that the Patriots will trade (for a very low round pick), or cut Rhamondre Stevenson. One source even speculated the Patriots being able to obtain Rachaad White from Tampa Bay for a late round pick. I believe AVP utilized Antonio Gibson not enough/incorrectly and would absolutely keep him (as he has a workhorse back build, but a solid receiver). Josh will definitely use Gibson properly. What say you Patsfans.com Folks? Would you be on-board with such a moves(s), or not. By the way, I'm not saying that we should do it or that such a move(s) is possible, I'm just reporting what I've been reading.

I'd be open to it if we got White. As of right now, with only him and Gibson having NFL experience, the juice doesn't feel worth the squeeze. It's really minimal cap savings if cut. People see the total value of his contract and assume he's highly paid, but of the $36M contract he signed:

- $8M of it was signing bonus paid last year. That's hitting our cap no matter what, at some point. They can do the post June 1st and all to move it around but we will have a cap charge for that $8.6M.

- he has non guaranteed salaries of $6M in 2027 and $8M in 2028 that he'll never see.

His "real" contract terms in terms of what's actually in play going forward are that he makes $2.75M salary this year (guaranteed) with $250K workout bonus and $1M in per game incentives. Then in 2026 he makes $4.75M ($3.25M guaranteed) with the same $250K workout bonus and $1M per game roster bonus incentives. The cap hit gets inflated by another $1.6M each year because of the signing bonus pro ration, but that's a sunk cost as already paid and will have to hit our cap sometime.

At this point I'd just keep him. Heck, even if we did trade for White, I'd probably keep him. I think the upside that, with better offensive scheme/coaching he gets back to having some promise. He consistently ranks high in yards after contact even though our terrible line probably subjects him to that contact with less time to build up some steam compared to other backs and he's functional in the passing game even as a bigger back. For a team that's still not overly talented on offense, I'd just hold onto him.

 

[JohnJH]

I'd be open to it if we got White. As of right now, with only him and Gibson having NFL experience, the juice doesn't feel worth the squeeze. It's really minimal cap savings if cut. People see the total value of his contract and assume he's highly paid, but of the $36M contract he signed:

- $8M of it was signing bonus paid last year. That's hitting our cap no matter what, at some point. They can do the post June 1st and all to move it around but we will have a cap charge for that $8.6M.

- he has non guaranteed salaries of $6M in 2027 and $8M in 2028 that he'll never see.

His "real" contract terms in terms of what's actually in play going forward are that he makes $2.75M salary this year (guaranteed) with $250K workout bonus and $1M in per game incentives. Then in 2026 he makes $4.75M ($3.25M guaranteed) with the same $250K workout bonus and $1M per game roster bonus incentives. The cap hit gets inflated by another $1.6M each year because of the signing bonus pro ration, but that's a sunk cost as already paid and will have to hit our cap sometime.

At this point I'd just keep him. Heck, even if we did trade for White, I'd probably keep him. I think the upside that, with better offensive scheme/coaching he gets back to having some promise. He consistently ranks high in yards after contact even though our terrible line probably subjects him to that contact with less time to build up some steam compared to other backs and he's functional in the passing game even as a bigger back. For a team that's still not overly talented on offense, I'd just hold onto him.

Appreciate the run down of the cap situation with him. And sure, I'd get White if it's not a high price. Stevenson, Gibson, Henderson, White, and Lampe (if they want a true FB), would be a nice backfield.

 

[jdlboot14]

I've been a defender of Rham until this last year. His "great potential" can't be a roster spot for much longer.
He's streaky, doesn't run hard in short-yardage, we all know about the fumbles, and ends more runs turning sideways or backward than any RB I've ever seen. Gibson was rightfully starting in place of him by the end of last season.
Henderson would have to fail as a prospect for him to not take the starting job by week 1, if not by week 3.
I don't see Henderson as just a 3rd down back.

 

[Toofy]

I've been a defender of Rham until this last year. His "great potential" can't be a roster spot for much longer.
He's streaky, doesn't run hard in short-yardage, we all know about the fumbles, and ends more runs turning sideways or backward than any RB I've ever seen. Gibson was rightfully starting in place of him by the end of last season.
Henderson would have to fail as a prospect for him to not take the starting job by week 1, if not by week 3.
I don't see Henderson as just a 3rd down back.

Henderson is not a 3rd down back . He will take rham's reps , it might just be slightly slower.

I gets. Feeling we need someone as a battering ram for the first downs and short yardage situations . Need to see who that will be . Somebody like Blount. 5'11 220 lbs bruising back..

 

[JohnJH]

Henderson is not a 3rd down back . He will take rham's reps , it might just be slightly slower.

I gets. Feeling we need someone as a battering ram for the first downs and short yardage situations . Need to see who that will be . Somebody like Blount. 5'11 220 lbs bruising back..

Most evaluations that I've read have him pegged as a true 3 Down RB. That's the level of toughness and ability that he has. That being said, I would use him primarily as a 3rd Down Back initially, but even as a rookie I'd play him on 1st and 2nd down if his skill set provides a favorable match-up based on the play. He has the potential to be better than James White. In fact, a lot better.

 

[mgteich]

Most evaluations that I've read have him pegged as a true 3 Down RB. That's the level of toughness and ability that he has. That being said, I would use him primarily as a 3rd Down Back initially, but even as a rookie I'd play him on 1st and 2nd down if his skill set provides a favorable match-up based on the play. He has the potential to be better than James White. In fact, a lot better.

The role of a 3rd down back is different from a 1st down back or even one of 2 top backs. Henderson just isn't a 3rd down back. We have one of those in Gibson.

Henderson is a starting RB. If Stevenson stays, I would expect that he and Henderson would share reps.

 

[DaBruinz]

@jmt57 -

A few things:

- The Defense is a 4-3 Under. Not a 3-4.
- Jaquelin Roy is 6'3 and 305. That's not a NT.
- Jabrill Peppers and Marcus Epps are Strong Safeties. Not Free Safeties.
- Jaylinn Hawkins is a Free Safety.
- Birdow is an OT, not a Guard.

 

[p8ryts]

The role of a 3rd down back is different from a 1st down back or even one of 2 top backs. Henderson just isn't a 3rd down back. We have one of those in Gibson.

Henderson is a starting RB. If Stevenson stays, I would expect that he and Henderson would share reps.

I think with his style and history, he needs to be managed and not overworked. Don't think he would last with a heavy workload. I like Gibson as the lead back. Liked Stephenson but fumbles persist.

 

[JohnJH]

The role of a 3rd down back is different from a 1st down back or even one of 2 top backs. Henderson just isn't a 3rd down back. We have one of those in Gibson.

Henderson is a starting RB. If Stevenson stays, I would expect that he and Henderson would share reps.

Sure. That's not only possibly, but likely.