Patriots depth chart: Where will the battles be for spots on the 53-man roster? (2024)

After adding an eight-player draft class, let’s reset the New England Patriots’ depth chart and look ahead to some of the areas of competition on the roster during the summer before a 53-man roster is finalized for the new season.

Please note, we’re not including undrafted free-agent agreements on this depth chart to avoid confusion because some of these deals fall through every year.

First, let’s review the draft class:

Now the updated depth chart:

Quarterbacks

Cam Newton
Mac Jones
Jarrett Stidham

Analysis: Bill Belichick declared Newton the starter until somebody plays “better than he does.” Jones will have to earn the job, and he will eventually, whether it’s this season or in 2022. If Stidham has a good preseason, he might develop some trade value, although it could make more sense to keep him on the roster to secure him as Jones’ backup in 2022.

Running backs

Damien Harris
Sony Michel
James White
Rhamondre Stevenson
Brandon Bolden
J.J. Taylor

Analysis: Harris and Michel will be a solid one-two combo, but each has been injured in every season of their career. That’s why the Patriots added Stevenson. It feels like a long shot the Patriots would keep all six backs, so they’ll have to decide between Bolden’s special teams ability and Taylor’s offensive spark.

Fullbacks

Jakob Johnson
Dalton Keene
Dan Vitale

Analysis: Another interesting decision here, as the Patriots could choose to work in Keene for the role. Johnson has improved each season on the roster and should have a solid advantage over Vitale. But in the event Keene can take over fullback responsibilities, there wouldn’t be a need to keep Johnson or Vitale.

Wide receivers

Nelson Agholor
Kendrick Bourne
Jakobi Meyers
N’Keal Harry
Gunner Olszewski
Isaiah Zuber
Tre Nixon
Devin Smith
Kristian Wilkerson
Matthew Slater

Analysis: The top three are locked into their roles, and the Patriots shouldn’t be in a rush to trade Harry after essentially passing on the draft class. Nixon will have an opportunity to compete for a spot, but Zuber showed enough as a rookie to maintain his advantage for now. If the Patriots are considering the free-agent market, Larry Fitzgerald, Golden Tate, Damiere Byrd and Dede Westbrook are still available.

Tight ends

Hunter Henry
Jonnu Smith
Devin Asiasi
Dalton Keene
Matt LaCosse

Analysis: Incredible overhaul here with Henry and Smith. The problem is it’s rare to keep four tight ends, which is why the idea of using Keene as a hybrid should be explored. No one wants to cut a third-round pick after a year, and it’s hard to believe Asiasi or Keene would yield that level of a return in a trade. It’s a good problem to have, but creativity is in order.

Offensive linemen

Left tackle: Isaiah Wynn, Trent Brown, Justin Herron, Will Sherman, Yodny Cajuste, Korey Cunningham

Left guard: Mike Onwenu, Ted Karras, Will Sherman, Najee Toran

Center: David Andrews, Ted Karras, Marcus Martin

Right guard: Shaq Mason, Mike Onwenu, Ted Karras, Will Sherman, Najee Toran

Right tackle: Trent Brown, Mike Onwenu, Justin Herron, Will Sherman, Yodny Cajuste, Korey Cunningham

Analysis: There’s some positional uncertainty with Sherman, who started at left and right tackle at Colorado and also has guard experience, which is why he’s slotted in four spots here for now. The Patriots have some awesome versatility with their linemen and can withstand an injury at any spot and still be OK. They’ve got some long-term potential out of this group, too. The line will be a strength once again.

Defensive linemen

Lawrence Guy
Henry Anderson
Davon Godchaux
Deatrich Wise
Christian Barmore
Byron Cowart
Carl Davis
Montravius Adams
Akeem Spence
Nick Thurman
Bill Murray

Analysis: The need to improve here was very much under the radar this offseason, but the Patriots nailed it. They’ll use a 3-4 base with Guy, Anderson and Godchaux the favorites to start on first down. Wise, Barmore and Cowart will likely rotate on running downs but could be best-suited for passing downs. Davis, Spence and Murray may have a chance to sneak onto the roster if they provide enough value at nose tackle. This group has some good versatility for all three downs.

Outside linebackers

Matt Judon
Kyle Van Noy
Chase Winovich
Josh Uche
Anfernee Jennings
Ronnie Perkins
Rashod Berry
Tashawn Bower

Analysis: This group will be a lot better this season. They’re well-suited to get after the quarterback, but Judon and Van Noy will offer a big-time boost to the run defense, too. Jennings was viewed as a strong run defender at the point of attack at Alabama, so he could be a sturdy backup to Judon on early downs. Consider the pass-rushing potential, as Judon has been to the last two Pro Bowls, has 30.5 sacks over the past four seasons, and his 74 QB hits since 2018 are the fifth most in the league. Van Noy was the Patriots’ best pass rusher in 2019. Winovich was their best pass rusher last season. Uche was easily their most explosive rusher as a rookie when he was healthy. And Perkins was widely viewed as a second-round prospect who fell to the end of the third round. They’ll probably keep the top six on this depth chart.

Inside linebackers

Dont’a Hightower
Ja’Whaun Bentley
Kyle Van Noy
Raekwon McMillan
Terez Hall
Cameron McGrone
Brandon King
LaRoy Reynolds

Analysis: McGrone tore his ACL in November and isn’t expected to play this season. With Hightower expected back, this position will be much improved. Van Noy can kick inside in sub packages. This will be a really good chance to get a better read on Bentley, who struggled at times last season but wasn’t exactly given a lot of help in front of him. McMillan might be a really nice find after playing for Brian Flores in Miami for a couple of seasons. Hall will have a chance to stick on the roster again, and King could make it as a special teamer.

Cornerbacks

Stephon Gilmore
J.C. Jackson
Jon Jones
Jalen Mills
Myles Bryant
Joejuan Williams
Justin Bethel
Michael Jackson
Dee Virgin
D’Angelo Ross

Analysis: This group is loaded, too. If the Patriots keep Gilmore and J.C. Jackson together, they’ll have a recipe for plenty of takeaways given the talent in the front seven. Mills, Bryant and Williams have experience at safety and corner, so their deployment in training camp will be a fun subplot. If the Patriots happen to move Gilmore or J.C. Jackson, keep an eye on Michael Jackson, who has good press coverage ability and should be in contention for a starting spot.

Safeties

Devin McCourty
Kyle Dugger
Jalen Mills
Adrian Phillips
Joejuan Williams
Cody Davis
Joshuah Bledsoe

Analysis: Dugger is a big-time breakout candidate this season. Mills and Phillips should serve in the nickel-safety role. It’s time for Williams to earn a more consistent spot somewhere.

Specialists

Kicker: Nick Folk, Roberto Aguayo

Punter: Jake Bailey

Long snapper: Joe Cardona

Analysis: Folk got $1.225 million guaranteed, so there won’t be a competition. He’s the guy. It’ll still be nice to see what Aguayo can do. He was a bona fide stud at Florida State but has otherwise been a major disappointment in the NFL.

(Top photo of Jakub Johnson, left, and Dalton Keene: Fred Kfoury III / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jeff Howe is the NFL National Insider for The Athletic. A native of Lowell, Mass., and a UMass graduate, he previously covered the New England Patriots from 2009-21. Howe, who has been with The Athletic since 2018, is the author of “If These Walls Could Talk: New England Patriots.” Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffphowe