Meet the Four New England Patriots Waiver Claims

The New England Patriots’ leadership mentioned repeatedly that they were going to take advantage of being third on the NFL waivers order through the first month of the season. The day after NFL rosters were trimmed to 53 players, New England took to the waiver wire. They were awarded four waiver claims.

Carolina, the team with the top priority on waivers, made six claims, including four cornerbacks. It is unknown if New England put claims in on any of those players.

None of the Patriots players cut over the past 48 hours were claimed by other NFL teams. This opens the door to a return to the practice squad for many of them.

So who are the four newest members of the New England Patriots? Get to know them:

LB Curtis Jacobs (via Kansas City)

The Chiefs signed Jacobs as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft. Jacobs went in Round 5 of the seven-round mock draft of PFN.  This was the write-up on Patriots Football Now before the draft:

“Higher ceiling due to his incredible athleticism. He stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 241 pounds. Jacobs does not have the size that the old regime with the New England Patriots looked for in their linebackers. But he posted a 4.58 in the 40. A worst-case scenario seems to be replacing the spot of departed special teams ace Chris Board in New England, with far more upside as a future contributor on defense as well. He was a three-year starter for solid Penn State teams.” – Dan Kelley

Curtis Jacobs received a 66.0 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus in the preseason. But his Week 2 score (91.0) was very impressive.

OT Demontrey Jacbos (via Denver)

Demontrey Jacobs signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. He played collegiately for Grambling State before transferring to South Florida. Denver released Jacobs on the 2023 NFL Cutdown Day, but he returned to their practice squad and spent his rookie season there. He played in all three Broncos’ preseason games this year, earning a 73.0 grade from Pro Football Focus. For comparison, Caedan Wallace (69.1) received the highest grade among New England Patriots tackles. Jacobs has excellent size, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 315 pounds.

DT Eric Johnson (via Indianapolis)

Indianapolis draft Johnson in the fifth round (No. 159 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He played collegiately for Missouri State. Johnson played in 28 games for the Colts over the past two seasons. He played 13% and 27% of defensive snaps in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Johnson saw a significant increase in production last season. He recorded 15 tackles, three quarterback hits, and a sack. Johnson impressed during the preseason. In three games, he recorded nine tackles (six solo) and three quarterback pressures.

OL Zach Thomas (va. L.A. Rams)

Thomas essentially got traded to the Patriots for Conor McDermott. The New England Patriots released Conor McDermott earlier this offseason. He signed with the Rams and made their 53-man roster over Thomas, who now joins the Patriots. The Chicago Bears signed Thomas in Round 6 (No. 186 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft out of San Diego State. Chicago cut Thomas on Cutdown Day 2022 but signed him back to their practice squad. The Rams signed him off the Rams practice squad on Nov. 18, 2022. He appeared in just three games for Los Angeles over the past two seasons. The majority of Thomas’ experience as come at left guard. It could be a need for the team, depending on the severity of Sidy Sow’s ankle injury.

The New England Patriots need to make four roster moves to make room for the new additions.