The New England Patriots roster transformation under Mike Vrabel is in Year 2, with the most recent addition being the No. 1 receiver the team has lacked since Julian Edelman retired. It's top NFL receiver A.J. Brown whose trade from Philadelphia is finally completed.
He's worth every penny, as you have to pay up to get the best players. That's what they should have done, and did.
The roster still needs help, though. A new need arose when the Patriots put newly signed blocking tight end Julian Hill on injured reserve for the season.
Elsewhere, three former Patriots who've been cut are still available on the market. They are receiver Stefon Diggs, running back Antonio Gibson, and linebacker Jahlani Tavai. The question is whether bringing back any of them makes sense for the team now.
The Patriots can pass on their three former players - for now
Signing Stefon Diggs
The Patriots accomplished a top priority by acquiring Brown and Romeo Doubs to man the top two receiving spots on the roster. You want to improve in the offseason, and they did that convincingly in the wide receiver room.
Therefore, the need to resign Diggs, while he is still a very good player, isn't pronounced. There is depth in the room with Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, and Pop Douglas (both of whom should be on the trade block, e.g., for a tight end), Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III.
Barring a major injury, they should pass.
Signing running back Antonio Gibson
The running back room isn't nearly as well-stocked as the receiver room, but it does have potential. The top two spots will be manned by Rhamondre Stevenson and last year's rookie sensation, TreVeyon Henderson.
They're about as good a tandem as it gets in the NFL. Behind them are uninspiring veteran Terrell Jennings and three young players.
Lan Larison, a dual-threat to run or catch the ball, is back after missing 2025 with an injury. Hopes are high for him. The team also spent a bagful of cash on undrafted free agent Myles Montgomery, so they must see a lot there, too.
The third guy is Jam Miller, a seventh-round draft pick from Alabama. While the room is in flux, the potential of the young backs argues for passing on Gibson.
Signing Jahlani Tavai
The Jahlani Tavai case is a bit different. Depth at inside linebacker is thin. The team has starters Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss, and they signed veteran free agent K.J. Britt to be the first off the bench. In addition, they have veteran Chad Muma returning and drafted promising rookie Namdi Obiazor in the sixth round.
While the room doesn't inspire tremendous excitement, and Tavai is a solid inside linebacker, they should pass for now, but he may yet be called upon in an injury situation.
The verdict on signing the three former Patriots players who were cut and can actually play is thus to pass, at least for the time being.
Injuries are the great equalizer and situation-changer in the NFL, as the Hill injury has starkly demonstrated. So while it may not be in the cards to sign any of the three at this point, injuries can change things quickly, and the team could do worse than add any of them then.
Add us as a preferred source on Google