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MORSE: Patriots Need to Get Down to 53

Mark Morse

August 25, 2025 at 4:00 pm ET

(PHOTO: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)

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Final 2025 Patriots Roster Projection

The initial group of player cuts has been made, and the Patriots are down to 75. The Patriots announced 15 cuts and to me only one was a surprise. I thought Kyle Peko was going to make the team. That means 22 more players must go. Of this group of Prospective Cuts, many will be offered a spot on the Practice Squad.

My Projected Cuts (23)

JaMycal Hasty

Javon Baker

Miles Battle

Terrell Jennings

Kobee Minor

Jeremiah Webb

Mekhi Butler

John Jiles

Jack Conley

Jack Westover

Alec Lindstrom

CJ Dippre

Vederian Lowe

Gee Scott

Cole Strange

Jahvaree Ritzie

David Olajiga*

Marte Mapu

Cam Riley

Demontrey Jacobs

Brandon Crossley

Morgan Moses **

Andy Borregales

Already Cut (15)

Layden Robinson (IR) Waived Injured

Sidy Sow

Ben Woolridge

Cole Fotheringham

Micah Bernard

Jaheim Bell

Monty Rice

RJ Moten

Phil Lutz

Isaiah Bolden

Tyrese Robinson

Kyle Peko

Jordan Polk

Philip Blidi

Shane Watts

The 53-man roster announced by the team on Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 will not be the roster they will have to start the season. A report today stated that Jordan Polk might make the 53-man roster and then put on the IR. I find that hard to believe given this is a repeat injury and it took Polk so long to start practicing after his rehab. However, there are two Veterans that I think make the roster on Tuesday only to be put on recall IR on Wednesday. Look for a vested veterans (Morgan Moses Kyle Dugger and Austin Hooper) to be cut and since they don’t have to be waived, they instantly become Free Agents. Their lockers won’t be cleaned out because they will be cut Tuesday and re-signed on Wednesday.

Kyle Dugger might be cut, but if the Patriots do cut him, he is free to sign with any team as a vested veteran. The Patriots would owe him the balance of his contract minus whatever he signs for with the new team. That around $9M of dead cap space. Anfernee Jennings could possibly be traded. Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk, Anfernee Jennings (if not traded), and Jahlani Tavai will be the four players to go on Recall IR. The Patriots have the #4 priority on the waiver wire for players that are waived. I think they could sign as many as 3 players off waivers and re-sign Moses.

Don’t be surprised if Andy Borregales or John Parker-Romo are traded. I have Romo making the team because I think he kicked slightly better. I wouldn’t be surprised if they keep Borregales just because he was a draft pick. The Patriots Front Office is taking a lot of heat because nearly the 2024 Draft class sucks. Outside of Drake Maye, they have already cut Bell and Dial, Layden Robinson, and potentially Polk are going to be on IR. Caedan Wallace and Javon Baker are on the roster bubble. Not very good!

Dell Pettus, Kyle Dugger, and Marcus Epps could all be released if a corresponding waiver claim is made.

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About Mark Morse

Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.