Patriots waiver wire additions don't bring much experience to needy roster
The Patriots found themselves in another fortunate position after having a losing 2023 season by holding the third spot on the waiver wire this offseason. This coveted spot created a lot of opportunity for them to add some quality recently released players from the cutdown deadline on Tuesday, which is exactly what they did.
Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf each said they would be active in claiming players, as well as those who hit free agency, but they started things off by claiming four players on Wednesday afternoon.
The Patriots were awarded four players via the waiver wire, two offensive and two defensive players.
They will add linebacker Curtis Jacobs, offensive tackle Demontrey Jacobs, defensive tackle Eric Johnson, and offensive tackle Zachary Thomas. They hit on the positions they needed the most help with, even after finalizing their 53-man roster less than 24 hours ago, which is good news with the regular season just around the corner.
🏈LB Curtis Jacobs (6-1. 241): Undrafted free agent out of Penn State with Chiefs this year. 8 tackles in 71 defensive snaps in preseason, plus 40 special teams snaps.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 28, 2024
🏈OT Demontrey Jacobs (6-6, 315): Entered NFL undrafted in 2023 out of South Florida - with Broncos. No career… https://t.co/AFLxNeMR9S
The two tackles signed, Jacobs and Thomas, are young in their NFL careers, so they don't bring much experience to the roster. Boston Herald's Zack Cox compares them to the signings of Vederian Lowe and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. from last season, which is a possible cause for concern for the weakest part of the roster.
But there is some hope for Jacobs, who appears to be incredibly athletic and was rewarded an average grade for his preseason performance this summer.
New Patriots OT Demontrey Jacobs received a 73.0 PFF grade this preseason in 101 snaps at LT.
— Matt St. Jean (@mattstdream) August 28, 2024
He had an RAS of 8.38 coming out of USF last year. pic.twitter.com/9EiY7HVwll
The former Chiefs linebacker Curtis Jacobs had a great offseason and was the highest graded rookie at the position from the preseason.
Highest Graded Rookie LB from Preseason Week 2:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 19, 2024
🔴 Curtis Jacobs, KC: 91.0@PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/stYfHjFaMa
He adds depth to a depleted defensive line with Christian Barmore sidelined and Matthew Judon being traded. Jacobs will have a good opportunity to take on a bigger role with the Patriots, whether that be on the practice squad to start or immediately on the 53-man roster.
UPDATE:
During his press conference this afternoon, Jerod Mayo revealed that the waiver wire additions will be added to the 53-man roster, meaning four players will be released to make room.
When who those players are is announced, it will be posted here.
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