The Patriots' roster already appears significantly stronger than it did last season, and New England's 2025 schedule has yet to be released. From Stefon Diggs to Carlton Davis III and Milton Williams, to Harold Landry, Eliot Wolf has done what he needs to do this offseason.
But with new faces comes old ones who will likely be headed out the door, and we've seen that already with the release of linebacker Ja'Wahun Bentley. And it won't come as a surprise, depending on what happens in the draft, of course, if another couple of veterans find another NFL home by the start of next season.
Biggest losers from the Patriots' first wave of free agency
WR Kendrick Bourne
Diggs is all but penciled in as Drake Maye's top target, and Mack Hollins, who comes in from Buffalo, will be in the mix, along with many other Patriots, for the Nos. 2 and 3 slots.
Where does that leave Bourne, who has been with the Patriots since 2021? Well, it could leave him on the outside looking in, which is unfortunate because he has been a great locker room presence since he arrived.
DeMario Douglas resembles a faster version of Julian Edelman, and the addition of Diggs could open up opportunities for him inside. Kayshon Boutte showed flashes as a player who can make plays down the field and in the interior last season, and Hollins could be a viable red-zone target.
That leaves Bourne, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker, along with whomever the Patriots take in the draft, assuming they take a receiver or two, potentially battling for one slot, or maybe two. New England also features two fine tight ends in Austin Hooper and Hunter Henry, and Josh McDaniels consistently utilizes multiple tight-end looks in his schemes.
Unfortunately, the Patriots can't keep everyone, and Bourne may be the one on the chopping block.
EDGE Anfernee Jennings
Time will tell what happens with Jennings, but with the additions of Landry and Robert Spillane at linebacker, he could be another guy on the outside looking in.
He finished his 2024 season with 43 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble, and will likely be battling with Jahlani Tavai to earn a roster spot next year. Again, that's assuming the Patriots don't take a linebacker or another edge rusher in the draft.
Jennings has two years remaining on the three-year contract he signed last offseason, and the Patriots wouldn't save much if they cut him before June 1. Therefore, he may play out his deal or possibly get traded. It's a fuzzy situation because you can never have enough depth at the linebacker position.