The roster cuts deadline was a busy one for the Patriots. The team started the week with 89 players and had to make enough cuts to get to a 53-man roster by Tuesday at 4 p.m. Most of the waivers and releases were not unexpected, but a few remained questionable until disproved.
The most notable aspect of the day was the number of recent draft picks that were cut, supporting the ongoing contention that Bill Belichick lost negotiating power with the players he selected later in his tenure with the Patriots. The team currently has two 2021 draft picks (out of eight), three 2022 draft picks (out of 10) and seven 2023 draft picks (out of 12).
The latest set of cuts includes six draft picks from the last three years, several of whom have shown promise in recent weeks.
RB Kevin Harris (2022)
Despite not making much of an impact in the two years since being drafted, Kevin Harris has been a standout in training camp and the preseason since joining the Patriots.
He continued that momentum this summer, culminating with an impressive receiving touchdown from Drake May in last weekend's preseason finale against the Commanders that led many to believe his fate as the RB3 behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson was sealed.
However, like any roster battle that has forced a team to let go of some talented players, Harris faced stiff competition for the third spot on the depth chart, which ultimately went to JaMychal Hasty. However, his stellar performance over the summer was enough to send him back to the practice squad, which would be a wise decision given his talent.
K Chad Ryland (2023)
In one of the least surprising moves on cutback day, the Patriots waived Chad Ryland after a struggling rookie season, and the new regime gave him another chance to compete for a starting spot this offseason against veteran Joey Slye.
But after a summer of trying to catch up with the veteran, the team opted to let Ryland go.
The former University of Maryland star was considered one of the best kicker talents in the draft class, so much so that head coach Bill Belichick traded up to draft him. Unfortunately, he didn't live up to expectations and will either return to the Patriots' practice squad or look for work elsewhere in the league.
QB Bailey Zappe (2022)
Another unsurprising cut was the announcement of Bayley Zappe's departure, a move that seemed inevitable following the signing of Jacoby Brissett and the selection of Drake Maye in the draft.
The expectation is that he will compete for the backup role with rookie Joe Milton III, who the Patriots took in the sixth round earlier this year, but Zappe's experience with the team the past two years could land him a spot on the roster.
But that didn't happen and the third-year quarterback will now move on to the next step.
S Joshua Bledsoe (2021)
Joshua Bledsoe was released on Tuesday likely due to a crowded roster at safety, and many Patriots reporters believe he's an excellent candidate to return to the practice squad for the upcoming season.
He had a pretty good summer in training camp and preseason, showcasing the growth and development he's been working on since being drafted three years ago, but other players outperformed Bledsoe, leading to his release.
DT Sam Roberts (2022)
With Christian Barmore's future uncertain for next season, there was a huge opportunity for other defensive prospects to step in and prove they could be the right fit to fill the void he left behind.
That maxed out several other defensive linemen and pushed Sam Roberts further back on the summer roster. He's shown glimpses of productive play since being drafted two years ago, which may have been enough to earn him a spot back on the practice squad, but not enough to earn him a spot on this year's roster.
G Antonio Mafi (2023)
Outside of David Andrews and Mike Onwenu, the offensive line was in disarray and the team was hoping to find the right fit over the offseason. It was an uphill battle this summer, and the Patriots didn't get the results they hoped for, including moving Atonio Mafi from guard to center.
This was a chance to see if the second-year player could become a well-rounded piece of the offense, something the team desperately needed, but he struggled to be a proper guard and then performed poorly at center, leading to him being easily dismissed.
