The Patriots announced their 53-man roster Thursday evening. The team made a handful of trades and had a few surprise cuts in the process.
3 undrafted free agents make the team:
The Patriots not only kept eight of their nine draft picks from this past year’s class, but also added three undrafted free agents to go along with them. The three players who saw their name on the initial 53 were cornerback Channing Canada, linebacker Khalil Jacobs and tight end Tanner Arkin.
The only “shocking” decision, to me, was Canada, a player that had not flashed in camp or the preseason enough to warrant a roster spot. It seems as if the team did not trust veteran cornerback Kindle Vildor after his subpar performance in the team’s final preseason game.
Canada feels, to me, like the “fifty-third” man on the roster, which likely means the rookie will be waived following a series of waiver claims in the coming days. Despite this, it is still impressive the cornerback made the team.
Similar to Canada, Arkin’s spot on the week one roster does not feel so secure. The Illinois product had a great start to the summer, but could not keep his momentum as training camp went on. The team could look to upgrade at Y-tight end, as former Patriot Pharoah Brown, who manned the role for the team in 2023, was waived by the Colts earlier on cut-down day.
If he sticks, Arkin is going to be used primarily as an in-line blocker and the replacement to the injured Julian Hill, who the team brought in on a three-year deal earlier in the offseason.
Finally, Khalil Jacobs had a rather impressive summer in New England, thus why he was awarded a roster spot. Before his injury, he was consistently mixing in with the second-team defense and repped as the team’s fourth linebacker. Ironically, he was repping behind Chad Mumma, who did not end up making the team.
Jacobs, who has yet to practice following his injury in the team’s second preseason contest, avoided injured reserve. A positive sign for the rookie.
Three Patriots land on injury-related lists:
The Patriots placed three players on specific injury lists: tackle Marcus Bryant on injured reserve, edge rusher Harold Landry on physically unable to perform and safety Brenden Schooler on non-football injury.
It was unfortunate to see Bryant go down with what appeared to be a lower leg injury in the team’s second preseason contest, as the second-year player was on his way to becoming the Patriots’ top option at swing tackle.
Bryant was rolled up on by an Eagles defender and will have to miss at least the first four games of the regular season with the injury.
One of the most disappointing parts of the summer for New England was Landry’s absence, which will continue for at least another four weeks. Landry injured his knee in a Week six matchup against the Saints last season, and despite staying in the game, he was never the same player.
Landry had just three sacks following the injury, and after an additional surgery to the knee this offseason, the veteran has not made his 2026 Patriots debut. With the team’s lack of depth on the edge, Landry’s absence will be felt significantly.
As for Schooler, the Patriots are going to have to find a gunner to replace the former all-pro. Like Bryant and Landry, Schooler will miss the first four weeks of the season with an undisclosed injury.
The former Texas Longhorn has been a pillar for the Patriots’ special teams since he stepped into the building as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Schooler's four-game absence will double the number of regular-season games he has missed during his NFL career.
Trades!
The Patriots completed two trades as roster cuts approached. The team traded a 2028 seventh-round draft choice to the Arizona Cardinals for running back Corey Kiner.
Kiner, standing just five-foot nine-inches, won the team’s third running back battle despite not stepping foot on the practice fields in a Patriots uniform.
The second-year back had an impressive preseason with Arizona, rushing for 180 yards on 39 carries. Kiner found the end zone twice, as well.
The second deal the team made was for Minnesota Vikings tackle Walter Rouse. The Patriots sent a sixth-round pick and received Rouse and a seventh back from Minnesota.
The deal showed the team’s lack of confidence in veteran James Hudson III, who was released, and provided insurance for the team’s tackle depth, Dametrious Crownover and Caleb Lomu, who are both rookies.
Quick hit thoughts:
Despite an up-and-down preseason, rookie quarterback Behren Morton made the team. Morton led the Patriots on a game-winning drive in their second contest, but struggled in the first and third games, throwing two picks in the finale. Absent a waiver claim, Morton will handle the duties of the Patriots’ emergency third quarterback.
Ben Brown, who was injured in the team’s first preseason game, avoided injured reserve. Although the team can still place him on injured reserve, this likely means Brown will miss less than four regular-season games. A great sign.
There was nobody around the football more than safety John Saunders Jr. this summer. Saunders led the team with five interceptions throughout camp and the preseason, but failed to make the 53-man roster. With Jaylen Reed in the fold, it felt as if this move was inevitable. Saunders should be able to find a home on the Patriots practice squad, if not one of the other 31 53-man rosters.
Bryce Baringer’s injury, which led to one of the most entertaining moments in Patriots preseason history (Behren Morton punting), will likely not require him to miss four games. Free agent addition Matt Haack was waived and is expected to revert back to the team’s practice squad, according to Patriots Wire’s Sophie Weller. Haack can be elevated to the gameday roster up to three times without being on the roster, suggesting Baringer’s short absence.