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USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jordy McElroy

Comparing Patriots’ initial 53-man roster to 2023, position by position

It wasn’t a complete rebuild for the New England Patriots, but in the first year without former coach and de facto general manager Bill Belichick, they made some significant roster changes.

Most of those changes came on the offensive side of the ball with newly-hired head coach Jerod Mayo and lead personnel executive Eliot Wolf aiming to clean up the mess from last season. The Patriots had one of the worst offenses in the NFL in 2023.

If they don’t improve this season, they’re sure to fall off the same 4-13 cliff they did under Belichick. Let’s take a look at last year’s roster next to the 2024 roster for the Patriots and see how they compare.

Quarterback

2023 2024
Mac Jones Jacoby Brissett
Drake Maye
Joe Milton III

The quarterback position was a barren wasteland behind Mac Jones in the initial 53-man roster in 2023. Granted, the team did end up signing Bailey Zappe to the practice squad before promoting him to the main roster.

But things are obviously in a much better place in 2024 with Jacoby Brissett serving in the veteran role, while the Patriots develop two intriguing rookies in Drake Maye and Joe Milton III.

Running Back

2023 2024
Rhamondre Stevenson Rhamondre Stevenson
Ezekiel Elliott Antonio Gibson
JaMycal Hasty

Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott would have made a formidable one-two punch at running back if Stevenson could have stayed healthy. Elliott being one-and-done in New England meant the Patriots had to reconstruct their running back position behind Stevenson.

They managed to do so by signing Antonio Gibson and getting veteran JaMycal Hasty more involved as the No. 3 option.

Wide Receiver

2023 2024
DeVante Parker DeMario Douglas
JuJu Smith-Schuster Ja’Lynn Polk
Kendrick Bourne Tyquan Thornton
DeMario Douglas Javon Baker
Kayshon Boutte K.J. Osborn
Tyquan Thornton Jalen Reagor
Kayshon Boutte

The Patriots still have issues at receiver, but they’ve made more of a commitment to younger talent. Last season was an absolute mess with a banged-up JuJu Smith-Schuster and declining DeVante Parker as two of their top receiving options.

They’ve added two promising rookies, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, to go along with the leading receivers from 2023, DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne. The unit still might not be great, but it has improved.

Tight End

2023 2024
Hunter Henry Hunter Henry
Mike Gesicki Austin Hooper
Jaheim Bell

Re-signing Hunter Henry was a big move for the Patriots in the offseason. He’s the team’s top red zone target and a former captain. They’ve replaced Mike Gesicki with another veteran receiving target in Austin Hooper, while also adding some youth to the mix with rookie seventh-round draft pick Jaheim Bell.

Offensive Line

2023 2024
Trent Brown David Andrews
Cole Strange Nick Leverett
David Andrews Michael Jordan (PS)
Mike Onwenu Vederian Lowe
Riley Reiff Chukwuma Okorafor
Jake Andrews Mike Onwenu
Sidy Sow Layden Robinson
Atonio Mafi Sidy Sow
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Caedan Wallace
Vederian Lowe
Calvin Anderson

The situation along the offensive front in New England is worse than it was last season. Trent Brown is playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, and Cole Strange, Calvin Anderson and Jake Andrews are all out with injuries.

There’s hope that rookies Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson can contribute right out of the gates. The sad state of the current offensive line is likely a big reason why the Patriots have been hesitant to start rookie Drake Maye at quarterback.

Defensive Line

2023 2024
Christian Barmore Davon Godchaux
Davon Godchaux Deatrich Wise Jr.
Lawrence Guy Daniel Ekuale
Sam Roberts Trysten Hill (PS)
Daniel Ekuale Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Keion White Keion White
Deatrich Wise Jr.

The defensive front took a big hit for the Patriots this season with the loss of Christian Barmore. They also cut Lawrence Guy in the offseason. So this year’s unit will be missing two key veteran playmakers.

There’s hope that Barmore will return at some point, and the team is also hoping for breakout seasons from Keion White and Jeremiah Pharms Jr.

Linebacker

2023 2024
Ja’Whaun Bentley Ja’Whaun Bentley
Jahlani Tavai Jahlani Tavai
Marte Mapu Christian Elliss
Mack Wilson Sr. Anfernee Jennings
Matthew Judon Raekwon McMillan
Joshua Uche Joshua Uche
Anfernee Jennings Oshane Ximines

The man with the red sleeves is no longer with the Patriots.

Matthew Judon was sent packing to the Atlanta Falcons for a third-round draft pick. The team felt comfortable making the move due to the emergence of players like Anfernee Jennings, Keion White and Oshane Ximines. All three will need to step up to help fill the massive void left by the four-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher, Judon.

Cornerback

2023 2024
Christian Gonzalez Christian Gonzalez
Jack Jones Jonathan Jones
Jonathan Jones Marcus Jones
Marcus Jones Alex Austin
Myles Bryant Marcellas Dial Jr.
Shaun Wade Marco Wilson
Isaiah Bolden (cut)

The defensive backfield should be even better in 2024 with Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones healthy. There’s also more reliable depth with Alex Austin and Marco Wilson. The veteran standout and two-time Super Bowl champion, Jonathan Jones, is still in the mix this season as well.

Safety

2023 2024
Kyle Dugger Kyle Dugger
Adrian Phillips Jabrill Peppers
Jalen Mills Jaylinn Hawkins
Jabrill Peppers Dell Pettus
Brenden Schooler Brenden Schooler

The Patriots essentially swapped out Adrian Phillips and Jalen Mills for Jaylinn Hawkins and Dell Pettus. It’s the youth movement in New England with the team leaning on younger secondary talent behind Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers. Hawkins has experience as a starter, and Pettus could be a diamond in the rough as an undrafted rookie.

Specialists

2023 2024
Chad Ryland Joey Slye
Bryce Baringer Bryce Baringer
Joe Cardona Joe Cardona

The one change here is Joey Slye beating out Chad Ryland for the starting kicking job. Ryland, a 2023 fourth-round draft pick, had a shaky rookie season and was upended by the veteran in a close training camp battle.

Bryce Baringer had a solid first year as the punter, and he should be even better in 2024. Meanwhile, it’ll be business as usual with the Patriots’ long-time long-snapper Joe Cardona.

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