So preseason in the books and cuts made this how the Patriots stand heading to week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Total Starters :- 5
Total White Players on the 53 :- 13
Offense
QB - Drake Maye, Mike De Vito
TE - Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover (3rd TE/FB)
WR - Efton Chism III
OL - Will Campbell (LT), Garrett Bradbury (C), Ben Brown (G/C)
Defense
ILB - Robert Spillane, Jack Gibbens
S - Brendan Schooler
Special Teams
P - Bryce Barringer
Practice Squad - OC Alec Lindstrom and TE CJ Dippre.
The 2025 Patriots are a far cry from the perennial caste favourites they once were in the 2010s in the Brady Gronk Edelman etc era and after a dreadful season under first year head coach Jerod Mayo, head into this season under the guidance of Patriot legend and former Titans HC Mike Vrabel.
Also back is Josh McDaniels at offensive coordinator, who's two tight end sets, use of the fullback and prominent slot receiver usage may all help our guys production. There are a number of other experienced coaches, some ex HCs and coordinators in the staff that should help the Patriots this year.
The team is led by second year QB Drake Maye, the 3rd overall pick from an otherwise diasterous 2024 draft that only sees two survivors make the 53! He has the makings of a top QB with great mobility and an excellent deep ball, he hasn't looked amazing in pre season but McDaniels offense can take some getting used too and expect him to take the leap in year 2.
No whites at running back/full time FB although would of expected both UDFAs Lan Larison and Brock Lampe to of made the 53, they will be back next year after end of season Injuries.
Tight end is led by veteran Hunter Henry who will act as a reliable safety blanket and is athletic enough to be a big producer in an offense which will prominently highlight tight ends and Austin Hooper will see the field alot as the 2nd. He and Maye have a great connection from last year. Westover will be on fullback duty and back up those two.
At wide receiver, Efton Chism a UDFA out of Eastern Washington had a great Spring and camp shining in preseason winning a place over 2024 4th rounder Baker and an aging Bourne. He will start as back up slot receiver but he may see the field as the season progresses, with any the luck the coaches love him and he plays like Amendola, sky's the limit for him if he keeps at it.
On the o-line, Will Campbell was drafted 4th overall at left tackle, the 3 year standout starter at LSU will add stability and talent and at only 21 years old he will improve through this season and next. The Patriots ignored the negativity about "arm length" and pulled the trigger, he looks like the leader of the line for years to come. Bradbury will play centre coming off a down year in Minnesota and not a great camp but he is talented and will grow in to the role. Ben Brown a pleasant surprise, signed midway through last year has won the top back up interior role and could see time if Jared Wilson the rookie struggles at left guard, which he has at times.
On defense, not too much to cheer but it is led by former Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane who signed a big 3 year 33 million to man the middle linebacker role and has the green dot as the leader, he is backed up by Jack Gibbens from the titans in the off-season who I expect to be in the rotation and feature on special teams.
All pro safety Brendan Schooler whilst primary an outstanding gunner on specials may see the field on certain packages as a blitzer like last season.
Overall as I said earlier a far cry from the glory years but let's see how Vrabel, Mcdaniels and company go, will take a while to turn the team around both from a caste perspective if they wish and in terms of success on the field. They have cut a host of mostly black players from the old regime some with decent salaries to change the culture, prepared to give them the benefit of doubt and see how they go!