On Tuesday, the New England Patriots trimmed their roster from 90 to 53 players, but continued to make moves on Wednesday by claiming players off waivers.
Some of these moves were unexpected, while others were anticipated.
Now that the initial roster cuts and waiver claims are complete, let’s examine three overreactions regarding the Patriots’ 53-man roster.
**A Controversial Running Back Decision**
Throughout the preseason, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo emphasized the importance of the run game. The team had five running backs who performed well during the preseason. Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson were clear choices for the roster, but the debate was whether to keep three or four running backs. Given the emphasis on the run game, keeping four seemed logical.
However, the Patriots decided to waive Kevin Harris, despite his two preseason touchdowns, and instead kept JaMycal Hasty on the active roster. While Harris ultimately cleared waivers and rejoined the practice squad, it was a risky move to potentially lose a back who was familiar with the offense and had proven his versatility.
One might wonder if keeping four running backs on the roster would have been wiser given the emphasis on the run game.
**The Patriots’ Safety Room Shows Promise**
With Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers as the starting safeties, the Patriots’ defense is poised to be strong. Both players can make immediate impacts on the field. However, it’s the depth at this position that stands out.
The Patriots added Jaylinn Hawkins this offseason, and his impressive preseason earned him a roster spot. The biggest surprise was Dell Pettus, an undrafted free agent from Troy, who was the only UDFA to make the roster. Pettus secured his spot through consistent playmaking in practice and games.
This safety group has significant potential and will likely be a key factor during the regular season.
**Challenges Ahead for Former HC Bill Belichick**
Bill Belichick is widely regarded as the greatest coach in NFL history. However, his performance as a general manager, particularly in the draft, has been questioned at times.
In his final years with the Patriots, Belichick made some controversial decisions, including trading up to select kicker Chad Ryland in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, only to waive him during final roster cuts. Additionally, only three players remain from the 2021 and 2022 draft classes, highlighting some of the challenges Belichick faced in his later years as the team’s GM.
