The New England Patriots used the 2026 offseason as an opportunity to build upon the success they experienced in 2025, which culminated in an unexpected appearance in Super Bowl LX. 

While many organizations would have stood pat with the pieces that got them there, New England took a different approach this spring — proactively upgrading around the young foundation of core players with an infusion of both top-end veteran talent and developmental prospects to ensure stability for the long-term.

After welcoming 45 new faces onto the preliminary 90-man roster to begin the NFL’s spring offseason program, the Patriots completed Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp with an enhanced arsenal surrounding star quarterback Drake Maye that features All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, a re-imagined offensive line, and the return of key contributors from the team’s previous triumphs.

Now, all eyes turn toward training camp — where that 90-man roster will quickly be dwindled all the way down to 53 players by the end of August. With a large number of new additions and a shrinking number of available openings, New England’s greatest upcoming challenge will be determining the squad they’ll begin the season with as they make another push toward the postseason.

Here’s our second crack at a 53-man roster projection for the 2026 New England Patriots:

IN: Tommy DeVito, Drake Maye, Behren Morton (Rookie)

OUT: NONE

The quarterback room in Foxboro has remained status quo since New England added Behren Morton as a third arm in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft — and he’s seemed to impress through spring practice sessions. The Patriots rostered three quarterbacks in 2025, and that will likely continue through 2026. Morton could make a push for the backup role through training camp and the preseason, but it’s likely that the team would favor Tommy DeVito’s experience in the event an arm other than Drake Maye’s has to see any meaningful action during the year. New England’s quarterback room looks to be locked in for the fall.

IN: TreVeyon Henderson, Lan Larison, Rhamondre Stevenson

OUT: Terrell Jennings, Jam Miller (Rookie), Myles Montgomery (Rookie)

The top of the Patriots’ running back rotation is set with Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson set to resume their roles as the lead backs in Josh McDaniels’ offensive system, but the RB3 battle will be one to watch during training camp. Through the spring, 2025 Undrafted Rookie Free Agent (UDFA) Lan Larison looked to take a commanding lead for that spot, continuing the forward momentum he had pre-injury in camp last season.

IN: Reggie Gilliam

OUT: Brock Lampe

New England used free agency to re-invent themselves in the trenches, and fullback was no exception. Reggie Gilliam — PFF's highest graded player at the position in 2025 (72.4 overall grade) — will be a massive upgrade at the position, and will be an essential cog in establishing a more consistent rushing attack. The Patriots ranked 20th in the NFL in EPA per rush in 2025 (-0.03), and having a lead blocker like Gilliam opening holes is sure to see that number rise.

IN: A.J. Brown, Efton Chism III, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams

OUT: Kayshon Boutte, Nick DeGennaro (Rookie), Kyle Dixon (Rookie), Cameron Dorner (Rookie), Jimmy Kibble (Rookie), Jeremiah Webb

A.J. Brown is officially the WR1 in Foxboro after a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in June, and his arrival has — expectedly — more clearly defined roles for the subsequent receivers in the room. Free agent acquisition Romeo Doubs is set to take over responsibilities held in 2025 by Stefon Diggs and will serve as the second receiver in the rotation, while Mack Hollins will continue to be heavily involved in both the pass and run game. Kayshon Boutte’s future still hangs in the balance, but many expect that he won’t be sticking around for long once the pads come on. His departure would open up more opportunities for sophomore Kyle Williams, and likely secure roles for both DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism III.

IN: Tanner Arkin (Rookie), Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon (Rookie)

OUT: C.J. Dippre, Jack Westover

INJURED RESERVE: Julian Hill

What was once a simple equation in the tight end room turned much more complex after free agent acquisition Julian Hill suffered a season-ending injury during OTAs and was placed on injured reserve. Third round pick Eli Raridon is a virtual lock to make the roster, but how involved he is early remains a mystery. Hill was set to play alongside Hunter Henry with the starters, but following his injury, Jack Westover took over as the second tight end behind Henry. It’s clear that the coaching staff trusts Westover to be in the right place at the right time, no matter where he’s lined up on the field. For now, it would appear he’d get the nod, but at 6’2”, 245 lbs., he lacks the size of a traditional inline tight end. If the Patriots fill that role in-house, Tanner Arkin (6’4”, 262 lbs.) and C.J. Dippre (6’5”, 256 lbs.) would be their options, and both have more prototypical blocking size profiles. A UDFA signing this spring, Arkin earned a run blocking grade of 77.2 at the University of Illinois last season, which ranked fourth among FBS tight ends with at least 300 blocking snaps (per PFF). He’ll be able to show more physicality at the point of attack when the pads go on at camp, and may fill the exact void New England has in the tight end room without the need to bring in another veteran free agent.

IN: Will Campbell, Dametrious Crownover (Rookie), Caleb Lomu (Rookie), Morgan Moses

OUT: Marcus Bryant, James Hudson, Sebastian Gutierrez, Lorenz Metz (Rookie)

The top three offensive tackles in Foxboro are relatively easy to predict: Will Campbell and Morgan Moses will resume their duties as starters, and first round pick Caleb Lomu will slot in behind them as the Patriots’ top swing tackle. Lomu may also split time along the interior of the line early in his career, highlighting the need to keep a fourth offensive tackle — and that’s a much more open competition. Last year, seventh round pick Marcus Bryant was a regular practice squad call-up before the team added Thayer Munford. Now, he’ll have to contend with sixth round selection Dametrious Crownover for that spot. Crownover’s athleticism fits the profile of the line New England’s been building, and his reputation as a fringe-top-100 prospect in 2026 puts him in danger of being stolen off the practice squad if he’s not on the initial 53-man roster. Because of that, Crownover gets the OT4 spot, with Bryant continuing to develop on the practice squad for another season.

IN: Ben Brown, Mike Onwenu, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson

OUT: Mekhi Butler, JonDarius Morgan (Rookie), Jacob Rizy (Rookie), Andrew Rupcich, Caeden Wallace

The starters along the interior of the offensive line are also set, with free agent signing Alijah Vera-Tucker assuming the top spot at left guard, Jared Wilson shifting to center, and the reliable Mike Onwenu resuming his role as the Patriots’ right guard. Depth is a concern behind this group, as Vera-Tucker has an extensive injury history and Wilson also missed time during his rookie campaign. Ben Brown returns fresh off of a contract extension and will be New England’s top “super-sub” inside once again, but the rest of the group is filled with questions. Through mandatory minicamp, Caleb Lomu began rotating in at both left and right guard — in addition to seeing snaps at left and right tackle. The Patriots could very well use him as an emergency substitute on the interior if they only plan to roster eight offensive linemen. Right now, that looks like the most likely scenario — and one that frees up another open spot elsewhere.

IN: Gabe Jacas (Rookie), Dre’Mont Jones, Harold Landry III, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson

OUT: Amari Gainer, Xavier Holmes (Rookie), Quintayvious Hutchins (Rookie), Jesse Luketa

New England overhauled the edge room after disappointing results from the four-man pass rush in 2025, but several questions still surround the group entering training camp. Harold Landry III and second round pick Gabe Jacas have yet to see the field as they rehab from offseason procedures, leaving free agent add Dre’Mont Jones and 2025 UDFA Elijah Ponder as first-team defenders through the spring. Ponder has impressed and is set to see an increased role in 2026, and there’s also hope that 2025 fifth round pick Bradyn Swinson sees a similar bump in snaps. Whether it be due to health or depth, this feels like a spot where the Patriots stash a couple extra bodies. Here, they carry five edge rushers on the roster to start the regular season — with others likely stored on the practice squad. 

IN: Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Leonard Taylor III, Milton Williams

OUT: David Blay Jr. (Rookie), Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Travis Shaw (Rookie)

Interior defensive line is the deepest position group on that side of the football in Foxboro, with high-end talent at the top in Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, and reliable contributors off the bench with Cory Durden and 2025 fourth round pick Joshua Farmer. The group will feel the loss of Khyiris Tonga at nose tackle this season, but there’s hope that Durden (6'4", 305 lbs.) will be able to fill in effectively. Behind those four will be a battle for one or two spots on the 53-man roster. Leonard Taylor III (6'3", 305 lbs.) is coming off of a notable performance in the AFC Championship Game with a blocked kick and the coaching staff has praised his offseason development. More comfortable aligned over the guard, Taylor gets a spot here with six rostered interior defensive linemen. If New England is looking for a more prototypical nose tackle, Eric Gregory (6'4", 320 lbs.) and UDFA Travis Shaw (6'5", 334 lbs.) fill the suits. For now, Gregory is the selection — but that is a very open competition heading into camp.

IN: K.J. Britt, Christian Elliss, Chad Muma, Namdi Obiazor (Rookie), Robert Spillane

OUT: Khalil Jacobs (Rookie), Otis Reese IV

The Patriots return both starting off-ball linebackers in 2026 with Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss roaming the second-level of the New England defense, but the group behind them is built much differently. K.J. Britt has shown promise as a first substitute for either starter, while Chad Muma has stepped up when he’s missed time due to injury during the spring. Rookies Namdi Obiazor (sixth round) and Khalil Jacobs (UDFA) both project as sub-package backers with the speed and coverage skills to make an impact on special teams and long down-and-distance situations. Obiazor is a converted safety, much like Marte Mapu was, and was praised for his sure tackling during his time at TCU. For now, he’s the leader to take the fifth linebacker spot, with Jacobs just barely on the outside looking in. Jacobs had a good spring with New England, and is one of the more difficult players to leave off the list. At worst, he’ll be sticking around on the practice squad.

IN: Carlton Davis III, Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, Karon Prunty (Rookie), Kindle Vildor

OUT: Channing Canada (Rookie), Brandon Crossley, Marcellas Dial Jr., Kenneth Harris (Rookie), Kobee Minor, Charles Woods

Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, and Marcus Jones together form one of the NFL’s elite cornerback trios, but the Patriots entered the offseason with depth questions behind them. While those questions still linger, New England established a clear structure in the corner room without Gonzalez or Davis seeing much time on the field this spring. In their absences, it was Kindle Vildor and rookie fifth round pick Karon Prunty who assumed top boundary corner duties, with continued contributions from Charles Woods and 2025 seventh round pick Kobee Minor behind them. Vildor and Prunty look to be the leaders to round out the depth chart at this position, but with several younger players, this is also likely a spot where the Patriots reserve space on the practice squad to continue developing others.

IN: Mike Brown, Kevin Byard III, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler, Craig Woodson

OUT: Peter Manuma (Rookie), John Saunders Jr.

New England’s elite secondary spans to the safety position, where reigning First Team All-Pro Kevin Byard III reunited with head coach Mike Vrabel in free agency and is expected to help mentor an already impressive young Craig Woodson following a stellar rookie showing. Brenden Schooler will reprise his role as a core special teamer, while free agent signing Mike Brown has quickly asserted himself as the third safety in the rotation. Dell Pettus continues to gain confidence from the coaching staff, and is kept on the roster as the fifth safety in this exercise. His future could be one to monitor following the addition of Brown, but the Patriots may be better off keeping an extra body around in this room. Pettus would be that bubble player.

IN: Julian Ashby, Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer

OUT: NONE

Julian Ashby, Andy Borregales, and Bryce Baringer are all set to enter training camp without competition for their roles on the team. The Patriots’ front office has maintained great confidence in each throughout the offseason, but it is a wonder if there will be an additional leg added to push Baringer — who enters the final year of his rookie contract in 2026 — at some point during fall practices.

New England’s 90-man roster is ripe with talent and ready to begin training camp later this month. When they take to the practice field once more, the pads will finally go on, and the real competition for the final few open roster spots will ensue. With added talent on both sides of the ball, the Patriots are positioned to have a much deeper pool of talent to choose from when making their final roster cuts in late August.

Who is your dark horse candidate to make the Patriots initial 53-man roster? Let us know in the comments section below.

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