Patriots Preseason: Eight Underdogs Fighting the Final Roster Spots

With head coach Bill Belichick, one certainty each season in New England is a focus on depth when the Patriots roster building is underway. Whatever the position, from quarterback to dime safety to personal protector for the punter, the Patriots’ roster is constructed top to bottom with versatile players capable of filling multiple roles.

For instance, the local press and talking heads had a field day criticizing Belichick and the Patriots’ front office after the first round of the 2010 draft when Belichick lauded his first-round draft pick on draft day as having four-down impact, meaning that he could contribute both on defense and special teams:

“He’s fast, he’s tough. He’s a good four-down football player — first, second, third and fourth down. In the kicking game, he’s certainly one of the top guys in the draft in that area.”

Aghast at using a first-round pick on a player who would contribute on special teams, now in 2023 it’s safe to say that Belichick got the last laugh on the incredulous Felgers and Ordways of 2010 as Devin McCourty, with Pro Bowl selections at both cornerback and safety and a trio of Lombardi trophies, has certainly proven as versatile and a fit at multiple roles.

But McCourty was a first-round pick. It’s the gritty underdogs that catch my eye in July and August. Late-round draft picks, undrafted free agents, and players plucked off the scrap heap whether futures signings or free agents cut by another team during the preseason. 

Past Underdog Players of Note

Tom Brady was the ultimate late-round draft picking at 199 overall in the 2000 NFL draft, but wide receiver David Givens was a steal in 2002 in the seventh round, 2003 saw fifth-round draft pick Dan Koppen step in at center for nine seasons, seventh-round pick Tully Banta-Cain had three seasons in New England with five or more sacks.

Matt Cassell in 2005, Matthew Slater in 2008, Julian Edelman in 2009, Marcus Cannon in 2011, Nate Ebner in 2012, Joe Cardona in 2015, and Elandon Roberts and Ted Karras in 2016 are all late-round draft picks who were huge contributors in New England.

Add in the undrafted free agents who long built the back-end of the roster with such recent contributors as Malcolm Butler in 2014, David Andrews in 2015, Jonathan Jones in 2016, J.C. Jackson in 2018, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski and Jakob Johnson in 2019. 

The “scrap heap” and “cast-offs” is another source for talent that Bill Belichick mines like an old-timey prospector. Rob Ninkovich, Dion Lewis, Kyle Van Noy, Chris Hogan, Alan Branch, LeGarette Blount, and so many more have become key contributors in New England in the last decade after being discarded by multiple teams. 

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“Hal’s Pals” – My three favorite Patriots

The first-round draft picks and the big free agent signings get all the attention, but these end of the roster players are where my attention is drawn every summer. The following three players have become “my guys”, the players I took an interest in early and have delighted in following over the past two seasons.

Recently, it was 2020 sixth-round draft pick Michael Onwenu who was the diamond in the rough who stepped in and contributed seemingly coming out of nowhere. Shined and polished at the final “Camp Scar”, he is a starting caliber guard and tackle who can play on the left or right side.

2020 saw the Patriots scoop up undersized undrafted free agent cornerback Myles Bryant from Washington with little fanfare. He landed on the practice squad after final cut downs in both 2020 and 2021 but was elevated to the active roster both seasons and contributed at both cornerback and safety. 

Finally, Carl Davis, scooped off the scrap heap in 2020, the Patriots are his fifth team since being drafted by the Ravens in 2015. Davis is the big guy, number 94 in the middle of the defensive line. He does the dirty work in the trenches–his twitter handle explains it perfectly: @TrenchWork94. 

The “Great Eight” of the 2022 Preseason

This preseason, there are a number of intriguing undrafted players/late-round picks who have opened eyes in training camp. DaMarcus Mitchell, LaBryan Ray, Sam Roberts, Kody Russey, Arlington Hambright, Brenden Schooler, Lil’Jordan Humphry and Shaun Wade are the great eight who have impressed so far this summer and are charging down the stretch trying to secure a roster spot.

Undrafted defensive linemen DaMarcus Mitchell and LaBryan Ray, along with sixth-round draft pick Sam Roberts, have brought impressive depth options to an already deep defensive line. Ray was Christian Barmore’s roommate at Alabama and is another versatile run-stuffer. Mitchell comes from Purdue and the boilermaker has shown the ability to rush the passer from the edge.

Roberts was a small school gem (Northwest Missouri State) with impressive athleticism and an NFL body. He, along with Mitchell and Ray, have all been very impressive in game-action so far in the preseason. It may be a case where there is one roster spot available and the Patriots will have to try and sneak two of these players through waivers to the practice squad

Undrafted free agent center Kody Russey stood out against Carolina with an impressive game in the middle of the offensive line. He was getting to the second level to get his hands on defensive backs after clearing space in the trenches. He has to beat out Belichick favorite James Ferentz (who did not play well against Carolina) as backup center and guard.  

Arlington Hambright, a 2020 seventh-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears, was signed to a futures contract by New England in January 2022 after spending all of 2021 on the Bears’ practice squad. A tackle at Oklahoma State and Colorado, the Bears moved him to guard. In New England, he has followed the Michael Onwenu blueprint playing on both sides of the line at guard and tackle, and has impressed in the two preseason games.

Special teams ace Brenden Schooler and his flowing golden locks are looking to pin down a roster spot. The former Texas Longhorn has already shown up with highlight plays on special teams and even added a late-game interception playing at safety against Carolina.

Wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphry, another Longhorn, spent three seasons bouncing back and forth from the practice squad to the roster with New Orleans. This past week, he impressed on special teams and at receiver and is forcing his way into the conversation for a roster spot with second-round draft pick Tyquan Thornton injured, Kristian Wilkerson out with a concussion and Tre Nixon with a dropped pass against Carolina.

Finally, cornerback Shaun Wade has made a strong push for a roster spot this summer. A fifth-round pick by Baltimore in 2021, he was traded to New England. Wade did not play much in 2021 due to injury and getting up to speed after spending training camp in Baltimore, but he has shown the versatility to play in the slot and outside. He had a slow start in camp, but had an athletic interception against Carolina and appears to be coming on strong.

Outlook for Patriots Roster Spots

These eight late-round/undrafted/cast-offs all are on the roster bubble heading into the final preseason game this week. Some may make the team, some may sneak through to the practice squad, some may have put together enough tape to be scooped up and make another team’s active roster (Braxton Berrios being sniped by the Jets still hurts). 

 I’m already waiving the pom-poms and cheering for these longshots to overcome the odds and be New England Patriots in 2022. While all eight making the roster would be a stretch, I’m holding out hope for all eight of my new “Hal’s Pals” finding a way to contribute in the 2022 regular season in Foxborough.