As the preseason’s now kicked off, we sometimes hear familiar names crop up in the headlines for other teams. As a Patriots fan its always nice to hear how each player is getting on at their new team and if they will or won’t make the roster. Scouring each depth chart for every player that used to play for the Patriots could take hours (4 hours to be exact) so luckily NFL Analysis Network has done the work for you.
The Ex-Patriots Facts
Here are some factoids we managed to come across whilst analysing the information:
- The longest tenured player no longer with the Patriots is of course Adam Vinatieri who spent 10 years here from 1996-2005.
- The team with the cumulative most Patriots experience on the roster is the Lions with 17 years. Matt Patricia has managed to bring in four former Pats with Tavon Wilson already being on the roster.
- The position with the most Patriots experience currently with other teams is Corner Back, with a cumulative 21 seasons between Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Aqib Talib, Justin Coleman and others.
- Corner Back is also the position with the most players with the other 31 teams at 13. Only two of those were actually a Patriots draft pick – Logan Ryan and Darryl Roberts.
- Whilst some players may have been cut and re-signed the same season, Guard, Jon Halapio (6thround draft pick out of Florida) was with the Patriots on two separate occasions 2014 & 2016.
- Outside of Vinatieri, Benjamin Watson is the oldest player no longer on the roster at the ripe old age of 37. He is also the third longest tenured, with the second longest being Nate Solder.
- The player who was a one-hit wonder, i.e. only stayed in New England for one season, but is in the league the longest is Robbie Gould. Gould was a Free Agent signing in 2005 and is now kicking with the 49ers.
- In 2017 the Patriots had 27 players that are now no longer on the roster.Although it might be tough to remember Alex Carter or Jake Kumerow having any impact.
- In all, 28 teams have former Patriots players on their roster. Those teams that do not are the Ravens, Redskins and the Vikings.
- The team with the most amount of former Patriots on their roster is the 49ers who have; Cassius Marsh, Dekoda Watson, Don Jones, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jonathan Cooper and Robbie Gould.
The Ex-Patriots Roster
So, if we were to make a roster of former Patriots still in the league, what would it look like, and most importantly, would it be competitive with players at their current powers?
Offense
QB – Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers)
RB1 – Dion Lewis (Titans)
RB2 – LeGarrette Blount (Lions)
WR1 – Brandin Cooks (Rams)
WR2 – Danny Amendola (Dolphins)
TE – Benjamin Watson (Saints)
LT – Nate Solder (Giants)
LG – Jonathan Cooper (49ers)
C – Ted Larsen (Dolphins)
RG – Jordan Devey (Chiefs)
RT – Cameron Fleming (Cowboys)
Defense
DE – Jabaal Sheard (Colts)
DT – Akiem Hicks (Bears)
DT – Dominique Easley (Rams)
DE – Chandler Jones (Cardinals)
LB – Jamie Collins (Browns)
LB – Jon Bostic (Steelers)
CB – Malcolm Butler (Titans)
SS – Don Jones (49ers)
FS – Tavon Wilson (Lions)
CB – Logan Ryan (Titans)
CB – Aqib Talib (Rams)
Special Teams
K – Adam Vinatieri (Colts)
P – Robbie Gould (49ers)
LS – Tyler Ott (Seahawks)
Ex-Patriots Offense
Looking at the team above it is actually decent enough. At Quarterback Jimmy G is more than capable. At Running Back there is the “Thunder & Lightening” tandem of Blount and Lewis. Cooks and Amendola offer complimentary options at Receiver where there is a deep threat and a slot/possession type. Watson at Tight-End is a physical freak that is still highly productive despite his age. The Line as a whole is solid. Solder is obviously the standout, but in Cooper, Larsen and Devey they have an experienced interior with the multi-purpose Fleming providing the book-end on the right side.
Ex-Patriots Defense
On Defence, the line is a serious pass-rushing threat, but might suffer a bit against the run. At Linebacker Collins is another standout athlete that can rush and drop to cover with equal success. Bostic didn’t really pan out in New England but has been more successful elsewhere. The Corner Backs are the real strength of this team with Butler re-uniting with Ryan in Tennessee with Talib added to the mix. The Safety position then by contrast is a weakness. Don Jones is a Special Teamer but can play in a pinch. Tavon Wilson has improved in Detroit since leaving New England but the combination would leave a lot to be desired.
Ex-Patriots Special Teams
Having Vinatieri kick is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, there were no Punters left in the league, with the previous incumbent Zoltan Mesko having retired, Robbie Gould got the call up.
All the Ex-Patriots
The table below shows the team that the player is currently with, and also the amount of years they played with the Patriots, and their roster position.
Position | Name | New Team | Patriots Seasons Total |
K | Adam Vinatieri | Colts | 10 |
TE | AJ Derby | Dolphins | 2 |
DT | AJ Francis | Giants | 1 |
DT | Akiem Hicks | Bears | 1 |
CB | Alex Carter | Seahawks | 1 |
WR | Andre Holmes | Bills | 1 |
DE | Anthony Johnson | Colts | 1 |
OT | Antonio Garcia | Jets | 1 |
CB | Aqib Talib | Rams | 2 |
WR | Austin Carr | Saints | 1 |
TE | Austin Traylor | Broncos | 1 |
LB | Barkevious Mingo | Seahawks | 1 |
TE | Benjamin Watson | Saints | 6 |
WR | Bernard Reedy | Bucs | 1 |
OT | Blaine Clausell | Panthers | 1 |
WR | Brandin Cooks | Rams | 1 |
WR | Brandon LaFell | Bengals | 2 |
TE | Bryce Williams | Cardinals | 1 |
OT | Cameron Fleming | Cowboys | 4 |
DE | Cassius Marsh | 49ers | 1 |
DE | Chandler Jones | Cardinals | 4 |
LS | Charley Hughlett | Browns | 1 |
DE | Chris Long | Eagles | 1 |
OG | Cole Toner | Chargers | 1 |
OT | Conor McDermott | Bills | 1 |
CB | Cre’Von LeBlanc | Bears | 1 |
WR | Danny Amendola | Dolphins | 5 |
DT | Darius Kilgo | Texans | 1 |
CB | Darryl Roberts | Jets | 1 |
WR | DeAndre Carter | Eagles | 2 |
WR | DeAndrew White | Texans | 1 |
LB | Dekoda Watson | 49ers | 1 |
WR | Demarcus Ayers | Bears | 1 |
RB | Dion Lewis | Titans | 3 |
RB | DJ Foster | Cardinals | 1 |
CB | DJ Killings | Eagles | 1 |
DT | Dominique Easley | Rams | 2 |
S | Don Jones | 49ers | 1 |
QB | Garrett Gilbert | Panthers | 1 |
WR | Griff Whalen | Raiders | 1 |
OG | Ian Silberman | Raiders | 1 |
DE | Jabaal Sheard | Colts | 2 |
QB | Jacoby Brissett | Colts | 1 |
WR | Jake Kumerow | Packers | 1 |
TE | James O’Shaughnessy | Jaguars | 1 |
LB | Jamie Collins | Browns | 4 |
OG | Jamil Douglas | Falcons | 2 |
QB | Jimmy Garoppolo | 49ers | 4 |
CB | Johnson Bademosi | Texans | 1 |
LB | Jon Bostic | Steelers | 1 |
OG | Jon Halapio | Giants | 2 |
OG | Jonathan Cooper | 49ers | 1 |
LB | Jonathan Freeny | Lions | 3 |
OG | Jordan Devey | Chiefs | 2 |
OG | Josh Kline | Titans | 3 |
CB | Justin Coleman | Seahawks | 2 |
LB | Kamu Grugier-Hill | Eagles | 1 |
CB | Kenny Moore | Colts | 1 |
DE | Kony Ealy | Cowboys | 1 |
DT | Kyle Love | Panthers | 3 |
TE | Lee Smith | Raiders | 1 |
RB | LeGarrette Blount | Lions | 4 |
LB | LJ Fort | Steelers | 1 |
CB | Logan Ryan | Titans | 4 |
CB | Malcolm Butler | Titans | 4 |
DT | Marcus Hardison | Texans | 1 |
QB | Matt Cassel | Lions | 4 |
TE | Matt Lengel | Texans | 2 |
TE | Michael Hoomanawanui | Saints | 4 |
CB | Mike Hilton | Steelers | 1 |
OT | Nate Solder | Giants | 7 |
LB | Ramon Humber | Bills | 1 |
CB | Rashaan Melvin | Raiders | 1 |
K | Robbie Gould | 49ers | 1 |
DT | Robert Thomas | Giants | 1 |
OG | Ryan Groy | Bills | 1 |
OT | Sean Hickey | Jaguars | 1 |
RB | Shane Vereen | Saints | 4 |
RB | Stevan Ridley | Steelers | 4 |
S | Tavon Wilson | Lions | 4 |
OG | Ted Larsen | Dolphins | 1 |
DT | Terrell McClain | Falcons | 1 |
TE | Tim White | Chiefs | 1 |
RB | Travaris Cadet | Bills | 1 |
LB | Trevor Bates | Lions | 2 |
RB | Trey Williams | Cowboys | 1 |
CB | Troy Hill | Rams | 1 |
LS | Tyler Ott | Seahawks | 2 |
OG | Willie Beavers | Seahawks | 1 |
DT | Woodrow Hamilton | Saints | 1 |
TE | Xavier Grimble | Steelers | 1 |
DE | Zach Moore | Panthers | 1 |
-Luke O’Brien is a Staff Writer for Full Press Coverage Sports Media and covers the New England Patriots. Follow him on Twitter @lukeobrien21