Patriots Daily: Will a UDFA Make New England’s 53-Man Roster?

The New England Patriots have 11 undrafted rookie free agents remaining on their 90-man roster. Cutdowns to 53 players takes place next Tuesday. New England had a UDFA on their Week 1 for 19 straight seasons (2004-2022). The streak ended last season, though Malik Cunningham was eventually added to the 53-man roster and appeared in one game. Will New England start a new streak in 2024?

The 11 undrafted rookies still in camp are Steele Chambers (LB), Deshaun Fenwick (RB), Zuri Henry (OT), JaQuae Jackson (WR), Terrell Jennings (RB), Dell Pettus (S), Jothan Russell (ED/ST), Charles Turner III (C), Mikey Victor (CB), and David Wallis (WR/RS). While some have flashed in training camp and the two preseason games, the odds remain stacked against the group.

Outlook for Roster Spots

Dell Pettus has been impressive at both safety and on special teams. The issue for Pettus is that safety is one of the deepest groups on the roster. David Wallis is in a similar situation as a return specialist, where the team can turn to Jalen Reagor Marcus Jones, and other veteran options.

Terrell Jennings impressed against Carolina but got no carries against the Eagles. Are the Patriots trying to sneak him onto the practice squad? Deshaun Fenwick was released before being brought back but has not played in either preseason game. Jackson played well in the opener before being injured last week. His health status aside, he’s a long shot to make the team. Jacob Warren has opportunities with Hunter Henry out and other tight ends injured or unproductive. But he played only four offensive snaps last game.

Charles Turner III did not play against Philadephia. No backup center showed they could handle the role, and Turner has more experience playing center than the others. It is unclear why Turner did not get a look.  Perhaps another player the Patriots hope to sneak onto their practice squad? Zuri Henry also played no offensive snaps against the Eagles after looking decent against Carolina.

Steele Chambers and Mikey Victor are up against depth at their respective positions, limiting their chances. Jotham Russell is the youngest player in camp, As part of the IPPP, Russell can be added to the Patriots practice squad without using up one of the designated 16 spots. That appears to be the most likely outcome for the Australian.

At this point, it seems unlikely any undrafted rookie free agents will help New England start a new streak by being on the Week 1 roster. But most of the group has shown enough to warrant a practice squad spot while they continue developing.

Also in Tuesday’s Patriots Daily:

Patriots Fact of the Day

Most games played for the Patriots among undrafted players:

160 Adam Vinatieri
152 Gino Cappelletti
141 Lonie Paxton
127 Larry Izzo
124 Steve King
120 David Andrews

Post of the Day

Not every Post of the Day has to be football-related. Thanks to Danny Deraney for sharing this SNL skit of Phil Hartman playing Phil Donahue, who recently passed:

Nobody did Phil Donahue better than Phil Hartman. pic.twitter.com/LO5VpnSLOW

— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) August 19, 2024

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