2026 Patriots Roster Cuts Thread

[One-If-By-Sea]

I see it the other way.
If something were to happen to Rham he needs a backup for 1st and 2nd down which was Jam's most likely role.
They don't want to overload Trey, I see this as an early down backup.

Lan and Jam will be on the PS waiting for Stevenson's injury.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

But a 3rd down back has to 1. Block the blitz, 2. Have good hands, 3. Be shifty and tough to get the extra yard or two. Kevin Faulk ran a 4.57 sec 40 too, and he was a good 3rd down back. Get it?

I'm not gonna argue about his speed, but he looks like 1/2 down backup to me, not a 3rd down back.

 

[The Gr8est]

Lan and Jam will be on the PS waiting for Stevenson's injury.

That’s better than we had last year.

 

[Ring 6]

**NOTE- apologies Grogan your post was not up while I was researching.

This is what I found on NFLDRAFTBUZZ on the new RB. To me this guys main selling point is he is an alumnoi of Ohio State.

Scouting Report: Strengths​

• Exceptional contact balance that borders on uncanny - consistently bounces off initial hits and maintains forward momentum through traffic like a pinball in human form.
• Vision and processing speed jump off the tape, allowing him to identify cutback lanes before they develop and adjust his track without slowing down.
• Pad level is absolutely textbook - runs with natural bend in his knees that allows him to absorb contact and drive through arm tackles with remarkable consistency.
• Subtle footwork in tight quarters creates enough space to slip past defenders who appear to have clean shots, making him a bear to bring down in the hole.
• Carries a compact, dense frame that makes him deceptively powerful - delivers more pop than his size suggests when meeting linebackers in the gap.
• Runs with relentless forward lean and falls forward with remarkable consistency, turning 3-yard gains into 5-yard chunks by finishing every run with authority.
• Ball security is a major selling point - handled heavy workload with minimal fumbling issues throughout college career despite constant contact.
• Shows enough functional hands to be serviceable in the passing game, securing catches cleanly and transitioning upfield without wasted motion.

​

Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Limited long speed (4.57 forty) caps his home run potential - will get caught from behind at the next level on runs that might have gone the distance in college.
• Lacks the sudden twitch and lateral explosion to consistently make defenders miss in space - relies more on power than elusiveness.
• Pass protection technique needs significant refinement despite willing attitude - too often leads with shoulder instead of establishing a proper base.
• Route tree is extremely basic with minimal experience creating separation as a receiver - primarily limited to check-downs and swing passes.
• Running style tends to be fairly linear with minimal creativity once he's committed to a track - doesn't show the hip flexibility to make rapid direction changes.

Scouting Report: Summary​

Kiner has the makings of a reliable early-down runner in a committee backfield, where his tackle-breaking ability and consistent forward lean will convert short gains into medium chunks. The film shows a back who thrives in traffic, maintaining balance through contact that should translate well to the more physical NFL game. His vision and decisive cutting make him a natural fit in zone-based rushing attacks where he can plant his foot and get north without hesitation.

Despite limited explosiveness, Kiner brings a lunchpail mentality to the position that will endear him to running back coaches looking for dependability over flash. He'll need significant development in the passing game to expand his role - his natural hands offer a foundation to build upon, but his route-running remains rudimentary. Protection technique requires overhaul, though his willingness to engage suggests coachability in this critical area.

The tape paints a picture of a hard-nosed runner who maximizes available yardage on every carry but lacks the dynamic traits to consistently create on his own when blocking breaks down. Kiner's exceptional durability through heavy college usage bodes well for his professional longevity, and his ball security will get him on the field early in his career.

Not a Buckeye

 

[Brady85-23]

4.57, he is slow as molasses

Much slower than either Larison or Jam.

Larrison ran a 4.60 at his pro day

 

[Family]

Agree. I like Kiner's highlights but the 49ers, Vikings, and Cardinals have released him so he is not a McCaffrey type. Short area guy, not really fast, but might be a good McDaniels 3rd down guy.

If u think about this and as weak are they are at ILB, Edge, and now unfortunately corner, and this is the position they spend to strengthen?

Someone must be hurt or they think nothing of the current group.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I'm not gonna argue about his speed, but he looks like 1/2 down backup to me, not a 3rd down back.

I think he might be OK. I assume they know he is smart enough to pick up Josh's system quickly.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

If u think about this and as weak are they are at ILB, Edge, and now unfortunately corner, and this is the position they spend to strengthen?

Someone must be hurt or they think nothing of the current group.

Cutdowns just started.
We are not done with roster moves yet.
I'm sure if there was a LB/Edge worth moving on they would consider it.
Making one move doesn't preclude them from making more.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

If u think about this and as weak are they are at ILB, Edge, and now unfortunately corner, and this is the position they spend to strengthen?

Someone must be hurt or they think nothing of the current group.

Agree. I think it is good that management is looking everywhere to add depth. We just traded WR depth for S and RB depth, and ST depth. Smart moves IMO.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I think he might be OK. I assume they know he is smart enough to pick up Josh's system quickly.

I'm not gonna pretend to know anything about him other than his scouting report.
But based on that, his most likely role is a 1/2 down backup for Rham.
I love reading the "contact balance, almost uncanny ability to bounce off tackles, human pinball" comments.

 

[Brady85-23]

Larrison ran a 4.60 at his pro day

Nfl draft scout says 4.60 ai says 4.46 i got 4.47 somewhere else. I dont know

 

[Hyped]

Side note: The Tarheels are up 15-10 early in the 3rd.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I love reading the "contact balance, almost uncanny ability to bounce off tackles, human pinball" comments.

Pinball Wizard. Elton John. Who doesn't love that?

 

[Family]

Cutdowns just started.
We are not done with roster moves yet.
I'm sure if there was a LB/Edge worth moving on they would consider it.
Making one move doesn't preclude them from making more.

Fair enough.

But that doesn't change that without injuries ( and maybe even with one) this move would not be necessary, if they liked their own young backs.

 

[manxman2601]

Larrison ran a 4.60 at his pro day

Where did you get that from. Everything I've seen says 4.46.

Sleeper running back catches the Saints' eye at UC Davis pro day workout

UC Davis running back Lan Larison reportedly impressed the New Orleans Saints at his pro day. He's a sleeper to watch in the 2025 draft.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Fair enough.

But that doesn't change that without injuries ( and maybe even with one) this move would not be necessary, if they liked their own young backs.

Remember that Kiner is in his 2nd year and played 4 games last year, so he has experience and an off-season to strengthen.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Fair enough.

But that doesn't change that without injuries ( and maybe even with one) this move would not be necessary, if they liked their own young backs.

Ya, I think the Jam injury is serious enough they had to make a move.
Larison is not a 1/2 down backup, that's just not who he is.
The other guys (Haskins..etc) are JAGs.

 

[Brady85-23]

Where did you get that from. Everything I've seen says 4.46.

Sleeper running back catches the Saints' eye at UC Davis pro day workout

UC Davis running back Lan Larison reportedly impressed the New Orleans Saints at his pro day. He's a sleeper to watch in the 2025 draft.

sports.yahoo.com

Nfl draft scout. But ai did say 4.46. I posted to try to correct it. I dont know which one is accurate

 

[Family]

Ya, I think the Jam injury is serious enough they had to make a move.
Larison is not a 1/2 down backup, that's just not who he is.
The other guys (Haskins..etc) are JAGs.

I think this trade happens serious injury or not.

Jam did not show as an NFL player.

 

[raduray]

Is the waiver window already open? If someone gets cut today, could they be claimed today, or do teams have to wait until after cut down deadline tomorrow?