Now that the 2026 NFL Draft has concluded, it's clear what roster holes the Patriots chose to address with their nine selections. They furthered that with the undrafted free agents they signed immediately after, and based on who they brought in, the team looks far improved from where they were just one month ago.
Because of that, however, a few players are now facing a competitive summer that will require them to fight for their spot. Some of that will come from the high picks the team made, while others are expected to be a sneaky good signing who could steal a locker from a returning player.
From a team perspective, that's exactly what you want. But for these five players, it would be fair to believe they don't feel the same way.
The Patriots' 2026 draft class put these players on thin ice the rest of the offseason
TE CJ Dippre
The Patriots' tight end room for the 2026 season was looking as if it would be Hunter Henry and everyone else, especially after they chose not to re-sign Austin Hooper. Eliot Wolf brought in Julian Hill in free agency, but more so as a blocker than a pass catcher, opening the door for someone like CJ Dippre after sitting out his rookie year.
Unfortunately for him, though, the Patriots picked a tight end with their third round selection, taking Eli Raridon out of Notre Dame, and he's already predicted to make quite a splash in the NFL.
Although injuries set him back during his college career, resulting in him falling in the draft, Raridon is touted as a player with a high ceiling who has the potential to take over the TE1 role once Henry either leaves the team or retires.
That immediately bumps Dippre down the depth chart and lowers his chances of carving a real role for himself that would make him a safe bet to make the 2026 team.
OL Marcus Bryant and James Hudson III
Going into the draft, it was clear that multiple offensive linemen would be taken, with most analysts believing it could be the Patriots' first-round pick.
That prediction became reality, with Caleb Lomu being worthy of trading up for in Round 1, and he is expected to serve as a swing tackle during his rookie season and potentially be groomed to take over for Morgan Moses at right tackle next year.
Throughout his college career, however, he played left tackle, and based on the tape, he could easily create some issues for Will Campbell. Because of that, coupled with his versatility, it puts depth players like Marcus Bryant and recently signed James Hudson III on the outside looking in.
One thing that might work in their favor is the Patriots' mindset of never having too many linemen on the team. That could be what helps keep Bryant and Hudson around, even if that means they get moved to the practice squad. Otherwise, they might be gone before the preseason begins.
RB Elijah Mitchell and Terrell Jennings
Although they didn't pick a running back until the seventh round, and it's difficult to imagine that he could oust veterans already on the roster, there is a strong likelihood that Jam Miller will actively compete for the RB3 role behind TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson.
There was already going to be a battle between Elijah Mitchell and Terrell Jennings for that spot, so the addition of Miller only makes their path to the 53-man roster look more bleak.
Of course, it will all depend on how things go this summer and how much versatility they have at the position. If they can also be a pass-catching option or utilized on special teams, that might move them in the right direction and would make it easier to put Miller on the back burner.
Regardless, it's going to be stiff competition over the next few months, and that's not something that either Mitchell nor Jennings was likely prepared for.
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