{"id":74627,"date":"2026-08-31T04:30:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T08:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=74627"},"modified":"2026-08-31T09:11:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T13:11:09","slug":"morse-some-hits-and-misses-on-patriots-initial-53-man-roster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/08\/31\/morse-some-hits-and-misses-on-patriots-initial-53-man-roster\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: Some Hits and Misses on Patriots’ Initial 53-Man Roster"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is not the roster the Patriots will go into the Seattle game with.\u00a0 They have holes that need to be filled, and some of the players that made the initial roster won\u2019t be on the roster for game one.\u00a0 Waiver claims (unlikely) and Free Agents may still make their way onto the roster.<\/p>\n

There is plenty of room for improvement on this roster.\u00a0 <\/strong>They lack quality depth, and poor drafting has stripped them of these depth players.\u00a0 Eliot Wolf\u2019s 2024 draft was a disaster outside of the Drake Maye pick.\u00a0 After Sunday\u2019s cuts, Maye will be the only player left from that draft class.\u00a0 Dell Pettus was an UDFA who made the team. Oh, and it was Wolf who didn\u2019t draft Ladd McConkey but traded that pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for Ja\u2019lynn Polk and Javon Baker.\u00a0 Both are out of the NFL within two years.\u00a0 Perhaps we need to start looking at Eliot Wolf as being part of the problem.\u00a0 The team also doesn\u2019t seem to be adhering to the \u201cPacker Way\u201d of Draft and Develop.<\/p>\n

This year’s Draft Class is not looking too bright either.\u00a0 Both Caleb Lomu and Gabe Jacas have a long way to go before they can be considered NFL-caliber players.\u00a0 They have both disappointed so far, and it looks like 2026 is going to be a red-shirt year for both.\u00a0 Eli Raridon looks like the star of the draft class.\u00a0 Kayron Prunty should be a star on Special Teams but has a long way to go to becoming an NFL cornerback.\u00a0 Dametrious Crownover has potential, and there are not many OTs with his size or movement skills, so he is a project.\u00a0 Behrens Morton has had his ups and downs, as most rookies do, and has shown enough to make the team as the 3rd<\/sup> QB.\u00a0 I have been surprised by Quintayvious Hutchins.\u00a0 He will contribute on STs right away and is a better pass rusher than Gabe Jacas (which isn\u2019t saying much).<\/p>\n

I stated in my roster projection that the Patriots should be calling around and offering draft picks to other teams for players that might get cut, and rather than risk losing them through waivers, make some trade offers. Ryan Cowden stepped up and identified two players, RB Corey Kiner and OT\/OG Walter Rouse, who can help the Patriots.<\/p>\n

\"Aug
(PHOTO: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Scorecard<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Injuries are hard to evaluate since I am not in the building or privy to that information.\u00a0 A player like Marcus Bryant being placed on IR necessitated trading for Walter Rouse.\u00a0 Bryce Barringer\u2019s status was unclear, but he made the 53-man roster.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t be surprised to see Matt Haack signed to the Practice Squad (PS) just in case Barringer isn\u2019t ready to go.\u00a0 Haack could be elevated off the PS for the game if required.\u00a0 Haack did a very good job in the Browns game. \u00a0The two trades just go to show how bad the depth was on this team.\u00a0 This season they are 31st<\/sup> in the waiver claim order, not 4th<\/sup> like last year. \u00a0They identified two players they think can help them and made the trades to get them.<\/p>\n

I was wrong on 5 players making the 53-man roster (Kiner, Rouse, Barringer, Brown, and Morton).\u00a0 Consequently, I had 5 players cut that I had making the team (Larison, Saunders, Vildor, Barringer (IR), and Haack).\u00a0 An interesting point is that the Patriots did not use the second IR\/DFR slot they could have used.<\/p>\n

You can never predict the actual trades.\u00a0 It appeared that Lan Larison was on the 53-man list right up to 15 minutes before the deadline when the Patriots acquired Walter Rouse and a MIN 2027 7th-round pick for one of the Patriots’ 2027 6th-round selections (TBD).\u00a0 The Marcus Bryant move to IR forced the Pats to go out and get a Veteran backup Tackle.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t want to go into the next 4 weeks with rookie Caleb Lomu and Dametrious Crownover as their only backups.<\/p>\n

\"Jun
Eli Raridon. (PHOTO: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Offense 26<\/strong><\/h3>\n

QB (3)<\/strong> Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito, Behren Morton<\/p>\n

Morton\u2019s play against Cleveland was atrocious.\u00a0 Two INTs and a 3rd<\/sup> that was called back by a Pass Interference penalty.\u00a0 I was surprised he made the team.<\/p>\n

RB (4)<\/strong> Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Corey Kiner, Reggie Gilliam<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Hassan Haskins (PS), Jam Miller (Waived \/INJ), Lan Larison (PS), and James Hasty (PS)<\/p>\n

I stated that I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if Larison got cut and they claimed another running back on waivers.\u00a0 They traded for Kiner instead of waiting.\u00a0 Miller was Waived Injured, which means that if he makes it through waivers he could be put on IR or they could reach an injury settlement.<\/p>\n

TE (3)<\/strong> Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon, Tanner Arkin<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Jack Westover and CJ Dippre (both candidates for the PS)<\/p>\n

Arkin may be cut if the Patriots can find another player better or have a need at another position (DT DaQuan Jones?).\u00a0 Arkin should pass through waivers to the PS.\u00a0 That would be three TEs on the PS, and each could be elevated 3 times if they need a 3rd TE.<\/p>\n

WR (6)<\/strong> A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Demario Douglas, Efton Chism III<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Cameron Dorner (PS), Nick Gennaro, Kyle Dixon (PS), Tejhaun Palmer<\/p>\n

The haul for Kayshon Boutte is complete with the acquisition of two depth players (Jaylen Reed and Cory Kiner).\u00a0 Reed is 23 and won\u2019t turn 24 until the end of the season and was a starter in the Texans’ two playoff games last season.\u00a0 Reed’s PFF grade was 88.6 for the two Preseason games he played in.\u00a0 Kiner is 24 and had a PFF Grade of 72.8 for the 4 Preseason games he played in.\u00a0 In the Hall of Fame game, Kiner ran the ball 24 times for 116 yards and 2 TDs.<\/p>\n

C (2)<\/strong> Jared Wilson, Ben Brown<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Jacob Rizy (PS), Joe Michalski<\/p>\n

Ben Brown not being added to the IR was a surprise and indicates that he is close to returning. Van Roten serves as backup Center.\u00a0 Rizy, an UDFA, played well enough to earn a spot on the Practice Squad.<\/p>\n

G (3)<\/strong> Mike Onwenu, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Greg Van Roten<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Darrian Dalcourt, JonDarious Morgan, Jack Conley, Mekhi Butler<\/p>\n

An interesting point about newly acquired OL Walter Rouse was that he practiced at both Guard spots and played the final preseason game at RG.\u00a0 The 6\u20196\u201d, 322-pound behemoth out of Oklahoma was a 2024 6th-round selection by Minnesota.\u00a0 The Patriots got an up-close look at Rouse in last year\u2019s Joint practice with Minnesota.\u00a0 He played in 8 games over two years with the Vikings.\u00a0 This pre-season, his PFF Grade was 71.1, with a pass-blocking grade of 84.1 at RT in the 1st Pre-Season game, and 85.2 at RG in the final Pre-Season game.<\/p>\n

T (5)<\/strong>\u00a0Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu, Dametrious Crownover, Walter Rouse<\/p>\n

IR\/DFR<\/strong> Marcus Bryant<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Lorenz Metz, James Hudson<\/p>\n

Rouse is a natural Right Tackle with 51 career starts in college, including the COVID-shortened 2020 season.\u00a0 Is this a signal that Caleb Lomu can\u2019t make the transition to Right Tackle?<\/p>\n

\"Aug
Gabe Jacas. (PHOTO: Edward Finan-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Defense 24<\/strong><\/h3>\n

DE (2)<\/strong> Dre\u2019Mont Jones, Gabe Jacas<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Jesse Luketa (PS), Bradyn Swinson (PS), Xavier Holmes (PS).<\/p>\n

This is the second year that Swinson has not been able to crack the 53-man roster out of camp.\u00a0 Last year he chose to sign with the Practice Squad and later in the season was signed to the 53-man roster on November 15th<\/sup>.\u00a0 He played in 4 games last season.\u00a0 He may not re-sign with the Patriots and will look for greener pastures elsewhere.<\/p>\n

DT (5)<\/strong> Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Joshua Farmer, Cory Durden, Leonard Taylor<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Jeremiah Pharms (PS), Eric Gregory (PS), Isaiah Iton (PS), and Casey Rogers (PS).<\/p>\n

Eliot, do you have DaQuan Jones on speed dial? I would put in claims for DT\u2019s Uah Bernard and McKinley Jackson.\u00a0 Not likely to get either at position 31 in the waiver priority.<\/p>\n

ILB (5)<\/strong> Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, K.J. Britt, Khalil Jacobs, Namdi Obiazor<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Chad Muma, Riley Wilson<\/p>\n

Muma has been a major disappointment, and I don\u2019t think he gets signed to PS.\u00a0 They need depth at LB.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be surprised if they claim a Linebacker or sign a Free Agent.\u00a0 Two players on Waivers I like are Jose Ramirez and Joshua Weru, both from Philly.<\/p>\n

OLB (2)<\/strong> Elijah Ponder, Quintayvious Hutchins<\/p>\n

(PUP)<\/strong> Harold Landry is still on the PUP list, and although Mike Vrabel said after the game Thursday that Landry may be available for week one versus Seattle, he remains on PUP and will miss the first 4 Games.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if we never see Landry play again for the Patriots.\u00a0 That horrible contract may be one of the reasons why Christian Gonzalez isn\u2019t signed.\u00a0 Landry is owed a guaranteed $16M this year.<\/p>\n

Hutchins surprised me.\u00a0 I\u2019ll admit I was down on using a draft pick to take Hutchins when I thought he would be a UDFA.\u00a0 He made some special teams plays against Cleveland, which is why he made the team.\u00a0 Hutchins is a better pass rusher than Jacas at this point.<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Amari Gainer (PS)<\/p>\n

CB (6)<\/strong> Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Charles Woods, Kayron Prunty, Channing Canada<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Kindle Vildor, Kobee Minor, Marcellus Dial, Brandon Crossley<\/p>\n

Vildor shot himself in the foot in the game versus Cleveland.\u00a0 Channing Canada signed a huge signing bonus and guaranteed contract (for an UDFA) that fully guaranteed the total amount for a year on the Practice Squad.\u00a0 He performed better than that and utilized his 4.36 40 speed on Special Teams.\u00a0 It will be Canada and Prunty as the gunners, with Schooler still out for 4 more weeks.<\/p>\n

SS (2)<\/strong> Dell Pettus, Jaylen Reed<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Mike Brown, Peter Manuma (PS)<\/p>\n

Brown takes stupid penalties like he did against Philly.\u00a0 He also lost his job as the personal Protector to Dell Pettus.\u00a0 Special Teams was supposed to be his specialty.\u00a0 I would keep Manuma on the PS.\u00a0 Reed started for the vaunted Houston Defense in both playoffs last season.\u00a0 He missed a lot of time with two stints on the IR that limited him to 7 regular-season games.\u00a0 Perhaps this was a better haul for Boutte than I originally thought.<\/p>\n

FS (2)<\/strong> Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Eric Butler, John Saunders (PS)<\/p>\n

Saunders was the surprise of camp, and I was really shocked he was cut.\u00a0 He had a team-leading 5 Interceptions in camp.<\/p>\n

Special Teams 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Barringer, Andy Borregales, Julian Ashby<\/p>\n

PUP:<\/strong> Brenden Schooler<\/p>\n

Cut:<\/strong> Matt Haack<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be surprised to see Haack added to the Practice Squad just in case Barringer isn\u2019t ready to go.\u00a0 Haack could be elevated as a Game Day elevation.<\/p>\n

Total Players:<\/strong> 53<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Eliot Wolf’s Patriots’ 53-man roster is scrutinized for hits, misses, and depth challenges. Trades for Kiner and Rouse addressed immediate needs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":74149,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_pfeai_meta_description":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[10],"tags":[24604,24553,23269,325,24885,23544,23466,24172,23446,802,24569,2211,278,24870,22877,1581,23747,656,1967,8,23966,24266,374,24887,24886],"class_list":["post-74627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news","tag-behren-morton","tag-caleb-lomu","tag-christian-gonzalez","tag-cleveland-browns","tag-corey-kiner","tag-dell-pettus","tag-drake-maye","tag-eli-raridon","tag-eliot-wolf","tag-free-agency","tag-gabe-jacas","tag-harold-landry","tag-houston-texans","tag-jaylen-reed","tag-john-saunders","tag-los-angeles-chargers","tag-marcus-bryant","tag-minnesota-vikings","tag-nfl-draft","tag-patriots","tag-practice-squad","tag-quintayvious-hutchins","tag-seattle-seahawks","tag-waiver-claims","tag-walter-rouse"],"yoast_head":"\nMORSE: Some Hits and Misses on Patriots' Initial 53-Man Roster<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Eliot Wolf's Patriots' 53-man roster is scrutinized for hits, misses, and depth challenges. 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