6 recent Patriots draft picks who got cut before the 2024 season

The roster cut deadline was a busy one for the Patriots, who started the week with 89 players and needed to make enough cuts to have a 53-man roster by 4 pm on Tuesday. Most of the releases/waives were not unexpected, but there were a few that might remain questionable until proven otherwise.

One of the most noticeable parts of the entire day was the number of recent draft picks that were cut, which confirms the ongoing narrative that Bill Belichick had lost his touch in the later years of his Patriots tenure with the players he selected. The team now has just two players (of eight picks) from the 2021 draft class still on the team, three players (of 10 picks) from the 2022 class, and seven players (of 12 picks) from the 2023 class.

The latest batch of cuts included six draft picks from the last three years, some of whom had shown promise over the last several weeks.

6 recent Patriots draft picks who got cut before the 2024 season

RB Kevin Harris (2022)

Despite not making enough of an impact in the two years since he was drafted, Kevin Harris has shined during training camp and the preseason since he joined the Patriots.

He continued that streak this summer, which ended with an impressive receiving touchdown from Drake Maye in the preseason finale against the Commanders this past weekend, which many believed sealed his fate as the RB3 below Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.

But much like other roster battles that forced the team to cut some good players, Harris had stiff competition to take that third spot on the depth chart, which ultimately went to JaMycal Hasty. His impressive summer performance, however, might be enough to get him back on the practice squad, and given his talent, it would be a wise decision.

K Chad Ryland (2023)

In one of the least surprising moves of cutdown day, the Patriots waived Chad Ryland after a struggle-filled rookie season. The new regime gave him another chance to compete for the starting job this offseason, battling against seasoned veteran Joey Slye.

But after a summer of trying to play catch up with the veteran, the team chose to move on from Ryland.

The former University of Maryland standout was projected as one of the best kicking talents of his draft class, so much so that Bill Belichick traded up to draft him. Unfortunately, he couldn't live up to the hype and will now either revert to the Patriots practice squad or look for a job elsewhere in the league.

QB Bailey Zappe (2022)

Another unsurprising roster cut was the announcement of Bailey Zappe's departure, a move that seemed inevitable with the signing of Jacoby Brissett and the selection of Drake Maye in the draft.

The expectation was that he would compete for a backup role with rookie Joe Milton III, who the Patriots took in the sixth round earlier this year, and Zappe's experience with the team from the last two years might be what earns him a spot on the roster.

That's not what happened, though, and now the third year quarterback will be moving on.

S Joshuah Bledsoe (2021)

A packed safety roster is likely the reason for Joshuah Bledsoe's release on Tuesday, and many Patriots reporters believe he is an excellent candidate to return to the practice squad for the season ahead.

He had a pretty good summer during training camp and the preseason, showing the growth and development he's worked on since being drafted three years ago. However, others' performances outshone Bledsoe's, resulting in his release.

DT Sam Roberts (2022)

With the future of Christian Barmore up in the air for the upcoming season, there was a big opportunity for other defensive hopefuls to help fill his absence and prove they were the right guy to fill the hole he leaves behind.

That brought out the best in a few other defensive linemen, which pushed Sam Roberts further down the depth chart this summer. He showed flashes of productive play since being drafted two years ago, and it might be enough to return to the practice squad. But it wasn't enough to name him to this year's roster.

G Atonio Mafi (2023)

Besides David Andrews and Mike Onwenu, the offensive line was a wide-open competition with the hope of the right lineup being determined throughout the offseason. It was a rough go this summer, which didn't yield the results the Patriots were hoping for, which included the shuffling of Atonio Mafi from guard to center.

It was an opportunity to see if the second-year player could be a versatile piece of the offense, which the team certainly needs. But his struggles to be a suitable guard, followed by an unfavorable showing at center, made it easy for him to be cut.

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