5 Patriots draft picks who might be playing their final game with NE vs. Commanders

The end of the preseason is just around the corner, with the Patriots facing the Commanders in their final matchup of the offseason on Sunday. Two days later, the new regime led by Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf will need to reduce the current 90-man roster to the season-admitted 53, a task that will be incredibly daunting given their schedule this fall.

While the implementation of just one roster cut as opposed to multiple like the NFL had in the past is beneficial for teams going through a significant rebuild like the Patriots, it also means good players will have to be released along with the obvious cut candidates.

Among those will inevitably be former draft picks, even some as recent as players selected earlier this year.

Because Bill Belichick wasn't too successful with the rookies he chose in the latter years of his New England tenure, not many draft picks beyond the last two years remain with the team. Some are still vying for a spot on the 53-man roster for this season, which will likely be determined by their performances against Washington this weekend.

Five players, in particular, look to have a tougher battle to prove their worth, and the Week 3 game could be their final one as a member of the Patriots.

5 Patriots draft picks who might be playing their last game this week

WR Kayshon Boutte (2023)

The Patriots have spent the entire 2024 offseason with a large group of wide receivers on the roster, allowing them to test out many different lineups in practice and preseason games to (hopefully) put together the best receiving corps possible for the season ahead.

Of the 12 that spent the summer on the team, the only players that looked to be locks were Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne (after returning from the PUP list), DeMario Douglas, and Ja'Lynn Polk. That meant two to three spots were up for grabs, which Kayshon Boutte looked very competitive for at the start of training camp.

Since then, he has had flashes of great play in preseason that certainly made him stand out, but other than that, he hasn't shown much to prove he deserves a spot on the roster.

Expectations were high since the Patriots drafted him in the sixth round last year, as he was considered a potential steal because he had previously been considered a first round pick. However, we have yet to see that type of performance from him, and unless he shows that against the Commanders, he will likely be cut or relegated to the practice squad.

DB Marcellas Dial (2024)

As the only defensive player taken in this year's draft, there was excitement surrounding Marcellas Dial and the versatile skill set he brought to the Patriots secondary.

After losing multiple cornerbacks and safeties in free agency, whether due to them leaving on their own volition or the Patriots deciding they weren't going to offer a contract, Dial looked like he had a good opportunity to show why he was good for the team and why he was worthy of being the only defensive player in this year's draft class.

Unfortunately, that's not how it has panned out so far, and Dial's most memorable moments have been when receivers burned him in the preseason. That could be chalked up to NFL inexperience and nerves, or it could be an early exposure of what's to come if he remains with the team.

He will have another chance to prove himself against the Commanders on Sunday, and if he can do that, he has a good shot to make the team as a solid depth piece. Otherwise, he might be sent to the practice squad until he improves his game and can be a trustworthy player on the defense.

OL Atonio Mafi (2023)

The competition among the offensive linemen this offseason was expected to be fierce since the only safe bets were David Andrews and Mike Onwenu. The rest of the group was up for grabs, even more so with Cole Strange reportedly set to miss most of the upcoming season due to injury.

That provided many opportunities for the rest of the linemen, including Atonio Mafi, to prove they had what it took to be starters.

That's not what happened, though. Despite the countless issues the o-line has shown all summer, Mafi has not been one of the better players and is far from locking up a roster spot for the season. He has been moved around and tested at center, which didn't pan out well, and he hasn't looked great elsewhere either.

Unless the Patriots plan to sign free agents or linemen released during roster cutdowns, Mafi might be safe as an emergency depth piece, even on the practice squad. Otherwise, his future in New England is looking quite murky.

QB Bailey Zappe (2022)

Coming into the offseason, it was expected for Bailey Zappe to compete for a spot on the roster for the following season, even after Mac Jones was traded in free agency. He was already pushed down the depth chart with Jacoby Brissett's signing, who was brought in to be the bridge quarterback, but Zappe was then buried after the Patriots picks in the draft.

Taking Drake Maye with the third overall selection was expected, pushing the third-year quarterback further to the bench. To make his situation even more complicated, the Patriots also drafted Joe Milton III in the sixth round, essentially ending Zappe's time in New England before training camp even began.

That wasn't the case immediately, as Zappe was near the top of the depth chart at the start of the summer. His performance didn't outshine what was seen from either rookie, though, so he was quickly moved to the QB4 spot.

Based on how things have panned out this offseason, it looks like the only way Zappe could lock up a spot on the 53-man roster is if the new regime feels it necessary to have a more experienced quarterback on the team besides Brissett, meaning they'd carry four quarterbacks during the regular season.

K Chad Ryland (2023)

After a struggled-filled rookie season last year, it was clear that Chad Ryland would need to prove he was a much better performer than he looked in his first season. Jerod Mayo let it be known that he was going to give the kicker another shot but did add competition for him by signing Joey Slye in free agency.

Since the duo have been competing to be the starter, Ryland has consistently fallen behind Slye in practice and wasn't even used in the Patriots preseason game against the Eagles in Week 2.

While there is still time for him to convince Mayo and Co. that he's the right guy for the job, his chances aren't looking good, as Slye looks like he might have already locked up the job after this past week of practices.

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