Every year after the latest NFL Draft, teams' rosters are somewhat reset due to the newest rookie arrivals. Their additions provide a hint regarding what veterans might be heading into the summer on the roster bubble, prompting the higher ups to draft them in the first place.
That can be said for a handful of players on the Patriots this year, with most of those in jeopardy being on the offense.
Because it was the focus of this year's draft, with all but one pick being on that side of the ball, it's easy to pinpoint those who might be playing elsewhere this fall.
5 Patriots who are not safe after 2024 NFL Draft
QB Bailey Zappe
Heading into the 2024 offseason, Bailey Zappe's future with the Patriots was far from solid. His chances to make the team increased only slightly when Mac Jones was traded to the Jaguars, but it was clear once a quarterback was selected in the draft, his days would be numbered.
Who will start the upcoming season remains unclear, with Jacoby Brissett signing a potential veteran bridge and Drake Maye selected as the future of the franchise. The assumption is they will be QB1 and QB2, and although Zappe could fit in as the backup, his chances were eliminated when the team drafted Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III in the sixth round.
There had been rumblings about the Patriots possibly double-dipping at quarterback in the draft, mainly because the class was historically deep this year. But given who was already rostered, the selection of Maye, and other roster holes needing to be dealt with, it was far from a sure thing.
Now that Milton is part of the team, he is believed to be the QB3 unless he completely bombs throughout the summer during training camp and preseason. That leaves Zappe and Nathan Rourke on the outside looking in, with Zappe instantly becoming a prime trade target for teams needing a decent backup quarterback.
5 Patriots who are not safe after 2024 NFL Draft
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
After the additions of Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker from this year's draft, the receiving corps is crowded in New England. It's a good problem to have for a team that has struggled to find enough talent to make up their roster, but it's not good news for those who haven't been very productive during their time on the team.
A few pass-catchers will need to fight for their spot on the final roster during the summer, one of whom is JuJu Smith-Schuster.
He was a problematic signing from the beginning. Bill Belichick chose to let Jakobi Meyers sign elsewhere in free agency to sign the former longtime Steeler to almost an identical contract.
As if that wasn't enough drama to start his tenure, Smith-Schuster's inability to fully immerse himself in the offense and be a productive member on game day made his signing look even worse. He then ended the 2023 season on injured reserve, which wasn't ideal given Kendrick Bourne's season-ending injury and DeVante Parker's unavailability due to injury.
With a new coaching staff and several months removed from injury, Smith-Schuster could become a viable weapon for whatever quarterback is playing. However, he will need to prove his value over the next several months because Baker and Polk are explosive additions with a hunger to prove exactly why the Patriots drafted them.
5 Patriots who are not safe after 2024 NFL Draft
CBs Alex Austin and Shaun Wade
The cornerback room has thinned out since the start of the offseason, with Myles Bryant signing with the Texans, J.C. Jackson being released, and Jalen Mills signing with the Giants.
Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones are expected to be a 1-2 punch for the 2024 season, with presumably Marcus Jones right behind them.
The rest of the depth chart is up in the air, with a few players who feel like eventual practice squad players unless they have breakout performances this summer. But with the addition of Marcellas Dial in the sixth round of this year's draft and rumors continuing to fly about Stephon Gilmore and Jackson's potential returns, it looks like Alex Austin and Shaun Wade will be on the roster bubble.
Both have had flashy moments during their young careers and show great potential. But their inexperience makes them easy cut prospects, especially when the newest rookie is being hyped as a high-upside player with the makings of an eventual solid starter.
5 Patriots who are not safe after 2024 NFL Draft
G Cole Strange
Bill Belichick's decision to draft a guard in the first round of the 2022 Draft was and remains widely criticized.
Despite the need for improvement on the offensive line, there were other players available who could've been great picks for other positions, with Cole Strange likely remaining on the board in a later round.
Once he got into the groove a bit during his rookie year, he looked more and more like a wise pick by the head coach. However, inconsistency flared up, and multiple injuries during last season kept him off the field more than anyone would like, especially during a year when the offense needed as much help as possible.
Because he ended the year with a knee injury, which landed him on injured reserve, it's unclear what his availability will be during the offseason once practices start up. Couple that with his less-than-impressive production thus far, and it seems to explain the Patriots' decision to draft Layden Robinson in the fourth round.
The former Texas A&M guard could have simply been drafted as a depth piece for an offensive line that needed to be prioritized this offseason. Or he could be a way to put some pressure on Strange, who will be entering his third year in 2024.
5 Patriots who are not safe after 2024 NFL Draft
TE Mitchell Wilcox
Looking at the tight end roster, it's clear that Hunter Henry will remain the top guy, and Austin Hooper will be the next in line, with a significant gap between him and the rest of those making up the roster.
Eliot Wolf clearly had a plan when signing the tight ends he did, most of whom are known for their blocking rather than their pass-catching. Because of that and Henry's age, it was assumed the position would be one they would address in the draft, which they eventually did when drafting Florida State's Jaheim Bell in the seventh round.
Despite his late selection, Bell is the opposite of most players who make up the Patriots tight end roster. He's not a great blocker, but he is one heck of a playmaker, which instantly puts him ahead of those veterans.
Because he will add an explosive element to the offense, a guy like Mitchell Wilcox will be fighting for a spot on the roster this summer. He could be retained simply for depth as a blocker, but they have brought in a lot of offensive linemen, likely for that very reason.