The NFL’s busiest transaction day of the year has arrived as all teams must be down to 53 players by Saturday’s 4 p.m. eastern deadline.
New England already trimmed their roster to 77 players this week by releasing veteran wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, waiving cornerback Michael Jackson, and releasing defensive tackle Michael Barnett. Jackson and Barnett were released with injury designations, meaning they could revert back to the Patriots’ injured reserve.
The Patriots will also have a 16-man practice squad this season that they can utilize to keep many of the players released on Saturday.
The Patriots currently have four more moves to go, and we’ll track of the Patriots’ cuts and other rumors here:
The Patriots are releasing kicker Nick Folk, according to a source (first reported by Jeff Howe). The move could just be procedural as the Pats carry a player on the initial roster that will end up on injured reserve, and then re-sign Folk with the open roster spot. The move could also signal that the Pats are starting over at kicker entirely, which would be a major surprise.
The Patriots are releasing undrafted rookie Rashod Berry, a source tells CLNS Media. Berry worked out as a rush-linebacker for most of camp, and had some success pushing the pocket, but ultimately he’s too far away from contributing to make the roster. Berry’s the perfect practice squad candidate, where he can develop either as a linebacker or tight end.
The Patriots are releasing undrafted rookie Jake Burt, a source confirms a report from the Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian. The local product didn’t have many highlight moments during camp, but he’s got some versatility and in-line blocking abilities. Burt could provide depth at tight end on the practice squad.
Patriots rookie Justin Rohrwasser has officially lost the team’s kicker competition, according to Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal. Rohrwasser struggled mightily during camp with his accuracy, and had several brutal shanks during the media portion of camp this summer. The Patriots drafted Rohrwasser in the fifth round, and he’ll likely go unclaimed, meaning he can return on the practice squad where he’ll develop behind Nick Folk.
The Patriots are releasing rookie linebacker Caash Maluia, a source confirms a report from The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. The move is a bit of a surprise as the team was pleased with his development during training camp, but linebackers coach Jerod Mayo pointed out that he was still learning to process the game at an NFL speed. Maluia is a prime practice squad candidate where he can serve as depth and develop mentally. Physically, he can hang.
The Patriots released 2019 training camp standout D’Angelo Ross, a source confirms The Athletic’s Jeff Howe’s report. Ross didn’t stand out as much this summer, but he’s a strappy man-coverage corner that plays the position similarly to past success stories in New England. Ross spent all of last season on injured reserve. The practice squad is an option for Ross.
Add another UDFA to the list of cut casualties. Harris had moments in camp where his physical playing style resembled former Pats linebacker Elandon Roberts, but it wasn’t enough to make the team. Harris is a prime practice squad candidate. The move was first reported by NESN’s Doug Kyed.
The undrafted rookies keep falling as defensive back Myles Bryant was informed of his release, a source confirms NESN Doug Kyed’s report. Bryant struggled at outside corner during camp, but faired better in the slot or box. His physical limitations might be too difficult to overcome at this level. Still, with improved anticipation, Bryant has the man coverage skills to develop on the practice squad. The hope is he’ll return on the practice squad once he clears waivers.
The Patriots are releasing fullback Paul Quessenberry, according to NESN’s Doug Kyed. Quessenberry was signed after serving in the military for four years following a successful football career at Navy. Although he was a long shot to make the 53-man roster, Quessenberry has talent, and could land on the Pats practice squad as a developmental player.
The Patriots are waiving defensive lineman Nick Thurman, a source confirms a report from the Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian. Thurman wasn’t expected to make the team due to his limited athletic profile. At times, he holds up well against the run, but a lack of lateral movement and explosiveness limit his effectiveness. The Herald is reporting that Thurman could end up on New England’s practice squad. His experience in the system makes him more game-ready than other candidates.
In a bit of a surprise from this perspective, the Patriots are releasing training camp standout Devin Ross. Ross flashed inside-outside versatility, strong hands, and crafty route-running skills but that wasn’t enough to make the team. Based on the release of Ross and UDFA Jeff Thomas, the Patriots might have something up their sleeve to upgrade the wide receiver position. It seems unlikely that they’d stick with their current group.
The Patriots are releasing undrafted rookie Bill Murray, a source tells CLNS Media. The two-time All-CAA selection was a three-year starter for William and Mary but was struggling with block anticipation and awareness during camp. Although there’s no indication yet about a practice squad stint, that could be an avenue to continue to his development. Based on our view, Murray’s issue wasn’t athleticism, but rather knowledge of the techniques in New England’s system. There’s a chance he can develop those skills on the practice squad.
Hall spent the 2019 season on the Patriots practice squad and had a punchers chance of making the roster this season due to New England’s lack of depth at linebacker. However, the athletic coverage linebacker and special teamer was released by the team. The Pats will be thin at linebacker unless they make an addition.
The Patriots are releasing veteran running back Lamar Miller in the most surprising move of Saturday’s cutdown day thus far. Miller, who suffered a torn ACL last summer, didn’t get on the practice field until the third week of training camp. Still, the expectation was that his experience in the league would give him a longer leash, and that the team would take a longer look into the regular season. At the end of the day, Miller’s lack of practice time, and the emergence of 2019 third-round pick Damien Harris and undrafted rookie J.J. Taylor, spelled the end for Miller. Miller’s release signals that Taylor could extend the Pats’ UDFA streak to a 17th season.
Gauthier was on his second stint with the Patriots but once again fell short of making the initial 53-man roster. The center prospect doesn’t have the necessary foot speed to mirror interior rusher or make blocks on the move. However, his experience as a college center is what made him intriguing to New England in the first place. The Pats could keep Gauthier on the practice squad for another layer of depth at center.
Baccellia didn’t have much of a chance to make an impression after signing with the team a week ago. The 5-foot-10 wideout wasn’t on the roster for the media portion of training camp, but his 4.28-speed make him an intriguing practice squad option on the scout team, where he can mimic other speedsters around the league.
Butler’s release is not a major surprise, although he did do more as a pass-catcher in camp than expected. At 6-6, 250 pounds, Butler has the ideal size for an NFL tight end. But his overall skill level and blocking ability aren’t there yet. The Pats need to make 20 more moves to get down to 53 players.
The Patriots continue trimming their roster by informing undrafted rookie Brian Lewerke of his release, according to Tom Pelissero. Lewerke was never going to make the 53-man roster, and barely got any snaps during team drills at camp, but New England likes his work ethic and attitude. We could see him returning on the practice squad.
The Patriots released offensive lineman Ben Braden, a long shot to make the 53-man roster. Braden struggled to keep up with NFL competition as an interior lineman during camp.
In the first bit of news, a source tells CLNS Media that the Patriots are releasing wide receiver Jeff Thomas. The speedy wideout missed a large portion of training camp due to injury and went undrafted due to off-field concerns. However, the team was pleased with Thomas’s commitment to the club and is hoping to get him back on the practice squad. Thomas will need to pass through waivers, where his speed might get claimed by another team. We never got to fully experience Thomas’s talents in New England due to his training camp injury.
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