The New England Patriots clearly liked Mike Vrabel’s first draft class in Foxboro. Only two members of the 11 man class were unable to secure a spot on the final 53-man roster. LSU edge rusher Bradyn Swinson was cut alongside 257th overall selection, Mr. Irrelevant, Kobee Minor.
Bradyn Swinson was considered a bubble player with a decent shot at the final roster. The team kept five players at the position, including undrafted free agent Elijah Ponder and longtime Patriot Anfernee Jennings, who the team was openly shopping around.
“The Patriots were open to trading edge-setter Anfernee Jennings, who is not viewed as a scheme fit in an aggressive defensive system,” said Patriots’ writer Evan Lazar. “Whether the trade rumors were accurate or not, Jennings is on New England’s initial roster, which makes sense from a depth standpoint.”
This trade debacle leaves the door open for a potential recoupling with the former Tiger. Should Jennings be moved, and Swinson passes waivers, the fifth spot could belong to the rookie.
But if the team feels as though undrafted free agent Ponder sufficiently fits the need for a young pass rusher, Swinson could be a swing and miss in the fifth round.
Mr. Irrelevant Kobee Minor
Kobee Minor took home the title of Mr. Irrelevant on draft weekend, as the last selection of the 2025 Draft. The rookie cornerback out of Memphis was unable to break through what is a relatively weak cornerback room.
The five corners kept on roster are Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, and DJ James.
Gonzo and Davis make up a very capable starting unit, while Jones has proven his viability in the slot. The depth, however, is not impressive.
Alex Austin is a six-foot-one physical corner who Patriots’ writer Evan Lazar believes provides a solution to the Pats inability to cover tight ends last season.
“Austin, who originally joined the team in 2023, has been pushing for reps as a top-three corner in camp. Mainly, the Pats brass spoke publicly about this defensive scheme calling for a big nickel defender,” Lazar writes.
DJ James is the final player in the room. Drafted, and then cut, by the Seattle Seahawks in 2024, James joined the Patriots practice squad last season. Now he looks to be a seldom heard from depth piece.
Five Rookies Projected To Start
The term “start” in the NFL has changed a lot this century. Gone are the days of 22 men making up a starting roster. Today packages and personnel dominate the 53-man roster, making every single player on the side line valuable.
That being said, there is at least five rookies from the Patriots draft class that you can bet on receiving an extremely high snap share.
Will Campbell and Jared Wilson will start on Drake Maye’s blindside. Tre’Veyon Henderson will be a rotation back with very high expectations. Kicker Andred Borregales won the kicking battle and 251st overall selection Julian Ashby made the roster as the team’s long snapper.
Not a bad sign for Patriots fans that have been plagued by draft failures this century.
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