The New England Patriots saw their preseason be the stage for some interesting positional battles. Rookies like quarterback Ben Wooldridge did their best to make the roster, and journeymen like D.J. James and Marcus Epps fought for roster spots.
While these players were all released months ago, some preseason standouts went down with injuries and found themselves on season-ending IR before the year even began.
It's easy for these players to be brushed under the rug, given that it's been months since they've seen any game action, but there's a very real possibility these players develop into important depth pieces for the 2026 squad. Keep an eye out for these under-the-radar players who could develop into key contributors for the Patriots in the future.
The Patriots may be stashing important depth on injured reserve
RB Lan Larison
New England has been searching for running back depth anywhere they can find it since Antonio Gibson tore his ACL in Week 5. Terrell Jennings and D'Ernest Johnson have each gotten a handful of touches this year, but they combine for just 2.7 yards per carry.
Larison was a star in 2024 with UC Davis, totaling over 2,300 all-purpose yards and 23 total touchdowns. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry across his last two years with the Aggies. During his single preseason game, he took 7 carries for 35 yards and a touchdown.
Larison also has extensive experience as a kick returner, another role that has been in constant rotation since Gibson's injury. Gibson could very well be released, as they could save 77% of his contract ($3.5 million). Larison was given $175,000 in guarantees, more than three Patriots draft picks.
He's clearly highly thought of, and it will be interesting to see what he can accomplish with a healthy offseason.
FB Brock Lampe
Lampe was thought to have a strong chance to make the roster this year before being placed on IR with an undisclosed injury. Josh McDaniels values the fullback highly, and the offense has instead had to deploy converted tight end Jack Westover, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, and, most recently, offensive tackle Thayer Munford to play the role.
Westover is clearly not the future of the position, so if Lampe put together a strong offseason of work, the Northern Illinois alum could be the team's fullback in '26.
OT Yasir Durant
The Patriots traded for Durant in 2021, but he was released before the 2022 season. He bounced around the NFL before signing with the D.C. Defenders of the UFL in 2024, where he'd stay for two seasons.
In 2025, he won the UFL Championship and was named to the All-UFL team. In nearly 1,200 UFL snaps, Durant allowed a single sack and just 11 pressures. He played the large majority of his snaps at left tackle, but also approached the 300-snap mark at left guard.
He's slated to be a restricted free agent this offseason, but if New England wants to bring him back, the 6-foot-7, 330-pound 27-year-old could be a player Doug Marrone would like to work with.
DT Isaiah Iton
Iton was placed on IR after being waived and reverting to the team's roster in August. After playing for four schools in five years during his collegiate years, Iton landed with the Titans in 2024, recording a sack in 49 defensive snaps during the preseason.
During this past preseason, he recorded a 65.2 PFF grade against the run across 42 snaps. Defensive line coach Clint McMillan and the defensive staff have done an excellent job developing end-of-the-roster defensive linemen this year, and Iton could be the next in line should they retain him in 2025.
He's set to be an exclusive rights free agent this offseason, meaning New England has the option to retain him for the league minimum of $1.08 million before he can test the market.
DT Jaquelin Roy
Roy was thought to have top-10 pick potential after his 2021 season at LSU. That year, he had an 81.2 overall PFF grade and 89.6 grade as a pass rusher, notching a ridiculous 11.2% pressure rate. That would drop to a still solid 7.1% in 2022, but his stock would fall after notching only two sacks.
He was a fifth-round pick by the Vikings, but would play only 95 snaps during his rookie year before being released. He'd then go on to have an 8% pressure rate with 12 run stops in his sophomore campaign with the Patriots.
He was placed on IR with an undisclosed injury, but at 25 years old, Roy has the potential to be a rotational piece in 2026 with a strong offseason. He will be a restricted free agent next year.
DT Jaquelin Roy was placed on season ending IR with a foot injury.
— Graham Wilker (@GrahamWilker1) December 28, 2025
Last season, he had an 8% pressure rate on 141 total snaps (6 games). For context, Chris Jones’s pressure rate is 9.4%. Roy just turned 25 and will be an RFA in 2026. His market will be ~$1M #Patriots
CB/ST Marcellas Dial
Dial is one of three players remaining from the 2024 draft class, but was placed on IR with a torn ACL during the summer. He played a key special teams role during his rookie season, but saw limited action as a cornerback until Week 18: he was targeted five times, allowing five catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.
He will need to develop significantly as a cornerback to play any sort of defensive role, but his presence was felt on special teams throughout '24. He played 363 special teams snaps in all, recording a 70.1 PFF grade.
Jeremy Springer is a holdover from the Jerod Mayo era, so Dial will have a friendly face in the locker room that will be vying for his inclusion on the 2026 roster, assuming he has a strong preseason. Competition has gotten stiffer, with Charles Woods and Miles Battle having opportunities this season, but Dial's special teams value may propel him into the top-53 by the end of the team-building process.
The New England Patriots clearly put together a strong preseason roster in 2025, yet so many potential contributors fell through the cracks due to injury. Fans should be excited about the prospect of these players returning for full offseasons, with a chance to make a push for the roster in 2026.