Catching Up With 49 Former Patriots Around the NFL

There are currently 49 former New England Patriots players on either the rosters or practice squads of other NFL franchises. While it was easy to keep up with Tom Brady playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, not every former Patriots player receives that level of attention.

Since Bill Belichick just brought J.C. Jackson back to New England for a second stint with the Patriots, maybe one of these 49 will be next.

This list only includes players who played in regular season games for the New England Patriots and are currently with another organization. So apologies in advance to all of the Braxton Berrios, Ronnie Perkins or recently-released Derek Rivers fans out there.

So how are these former Foxboro friends doing in 2023? Time for a quick tour around the NFL to find out…

Arizona Cardinals

OT Hjalte Froholdt – He played guard his first four seasons in the NFL for the Patriots and Browns but switched to center with the Cardinals this season. He has been very solid so far.

Atlanta Falcons

RB Cordarelle Patterson – The explosive return specialist and all-purpose back has been limited to just one game this season due to a thigh injury.

TE Jonnu Smith – Despite not being targeted in their opener, he has 15 receptions for 179 yards in the past three games. Last weekend he caught six passes for 95 yards.

Baltimore Ravens

WR Nelson Agholor – Ten receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown through four games. This puts Agholor on pace to better any of his season totals while with the Patriots the past two years.

LB Kyle Van Noy – A Super Bowl champ in his two stints with the Patriots, KVN remained a free agent until signing with Baltimore on Sep. 26. In his first game he played 23 snaps and had a pass defended.

Photo credit: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Buffalo Bills

RB Damien Harris – 19 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown for James Cook’s backup in Buffalo through four games.

Carolina Panters

DL Henry Anderson – As was the case in New England, staying healthy has been an issue. A foot injury in the preseason landed Anderson on injured reserve. He will be unable to return this season, unless he reaches an injury settlement with Carolina.

TE Jordan Thomas – Has not played in an NFL game since 2020, but Thomas is still a member of the Panthers practice squad.

DE Nick Thurman – After spending last season on the Jaguars practice squad, Thurman has appeared in all four of Carolina’s game, recording five tackles.

Chicago Bears

DB Duron Harmon – After beginning the year on the Ravens practice squad “The Closer” signed with Chicago earlier this week. He won three Super Bowls in his seven years with New England before playing for the Liona, Falcons, Raiders and now Bears.

OL Bill Murray – Practice squad member.

DB Joejuan Williams – Started the season with the Vikings practice squad before signing with the Bears. He has appeared in one game, appearing only on special teams.

Cincinnati Bengals

OL Ted Karas – Starting center. Has played 100% of the snaps on offense this season, but the line as a whole has underachieved.

Photo credit: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Clevleand Browns

TE Devin Asiasi – Signed to the practice squad after being cut by the Bengals.

RB Pierre Strong, Jr. – Had five carries for 49 yards las weekend. Should see a larger role with Nick Chubb out. Was traded for Tyrone Wheatley Jr., who has yet to play an offensive snap for the New England Patriots.

Dallas Cowboys

WR Brandin Cooks – His four receptions for 27 yards against the Patriots last weekend was his biggest game of the season so far.

CB Stephon Gilmore – Took over as CB1 in Dallas with Trevon Diggs injury. Mac Jones avoided throwing at him last week, but DaRon Bland still made the Patriots pay.

Denver Broncos

WR Phillip Dorsett – Currently on the practice squad. He has been elevated for one game but didn’t register any statistics.

OT Cam Fleming – Reserve offensive tackle has only appeared in one game this season.

WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey – Has played in all four games, making four receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown.

OT William Sherman – Practice squad member.

QB Jarrett Stidham – Russell Wilson’s backup quarterback has yet to appear in a game. Had two starts last season while with the Raiders, but went 0-2.

Photo credit: Alexander Jonesi, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Houston Texans

TE Dalton Keene – Practice squad member. Last played in an NFL game in 2020.

OG Shaq Mason – Has played every offensive snap this year for the surprising Texans. Has had a few uncharacteristic penalties, but is as solid as ever in his ninth season.

Kansas City Chiefs

OG Joe Thuney – Once teamed with Mason to make a formidable guard combo for the New England Patriots, he is now a Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs. Was a Pro Bowl selection a year ago and could be headed back once again.

Las Vegas Raiders

RB Brandon Bolden – Has played exclusively on special teams this season, but has been excellent. Already has eight tackles to his credit.

DL Adam Butler – Back after a DNP in 2022. Has played in all four games and looks back to his old form: five tackles, quarterback pressure and tackle for loss.

OL Jermaine Eluemunor – After starting eight games for the New England Patriots in 2020 he has moved to guard in Las Vegas. Has started all four games.

QB Jimmy Garoppolo – In his tenth NFL season and first with the Raiders. After playing three years for the Patriots and six for the 49ers, was reunited with Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas. Was 1-2 with six interceptions through three games, but missed last weekend while still in concussion protocol.

Photo credit:eltiempo10, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

OL Justin Herron – Has yet to appear in a game this season.

QB Brian Hoyer – Has only taken two snaps this season. When Garoppolo went down, rookie Aidan O’Connell was named the starter.

FB Jakob Johnson – Continues to be the solid lead blocker he was with the Patriots. Has had no carries and one reception. Leading the way for Josh Jacobs will continue to be his primary purpose.

DE Chandler Jones – As yet to play in a game this season, largely due to off field issues previously discussed here on Patriots Football Now.

WR Jakobi Meyers – Mac Jones’ former favorite target has 18 receptions for 199 yards and two touchdowns in his first three Raiders games.

WR Kristian Wilkerson – Has played in two games, but has not recorded any statistics.

Miami Dolphins

P Jake Bailey – All Pro with the Patriots fell out of favor in New England in 2022. He has punted well for the Dolphins so far, but has not been used often due to their offense.

DL Byron Cowart – Practice squad member.

DB Keion Crossen – Was placed on season-ending injured reserved with an undisclosed injury. It was described by the Dolphins GM as a “freak injury” but the nature of it or what caused it is apparently being kept a secret.

WR Raleigh Webb – Was with the Patriots in training camp. Now a member of Miami’s practice squad.

DE Chase Winovich – Has appeared in two games, including when they played the New England Patriots.

OL Isaiah Wynn – Wynn has started at left guard for the Dolphins and has been excellent. He was projected to shift to guard in the NFL coming into the NFL Draft, but the Patriots never tried him there.

Minnesota Vikings

WR – N’Keal Harry – Former first round pick has only played in one game this season. He was exclusively used on special teams, but did not record any statistics.

New Orleans Saints

WR Lynn Bowden Jr. – Patriots will see Bowden this weekend. He has appeared in two games, but no stats to show for it aside from a target. He played one game with New England last season.

Pittsburgh Steelers

WR Gunner Olszewski – All Pro punt returner with the Patriots has only played two snaps this season for the Steelers.

LB Elandon Roberts – Followed Brian Flores to Miami in 2020 and now joins him in Pittsburgh. Had a monster year with the Dolphins in 2022 (107 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and off to a great start in 2023 (23 tackles, 3 TFL).

Photo credit: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Seattle Seahawks

CB Michael Jackson – Started all 17 games a year ago but has taken on a part-time role in 2023. Has still played 49% of defensive snaps for Seattle and contributes on special teams as well.

Tennessee Titans

PK Nick Folk – After a very successful run in Foxboro, was traded before final cutdowns this season. Has been perfect for the Titans so far, going 10-for-10 on field goal attempts and six-for-six on extra points. Already has a game-winner in overtime and a has hit both his attempts from over 50 yards.

Washington Commanders

QB Jacoby Brissett – Became the first African-American quarterback to start a game in New England Patriots history back in 2016. He has since played for Colts, Dolphins and Browns. This year has served as Sam Howell’s backup for the Commanders.