Patriots: Veterans in jeopardy of not making the team

Mike Vrabel was hired as head coach of the New England Patriots on January 12, 2025. It took a few weeks to assemble a coaching staff. Josh McDaniels and Terrell Williams were hired as offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively, on January 22. By February 3, the entire coaching staff was in place.

Then it was time for Vrabel and company to turn their attention to the roster. On February 10, the honor of having the recognition for being the first cut of the Vrabel regime went to Chukwuma Okorafor.

That was an easy one. Okorafor quit on the team after Week One. Maybe Okorafor deserves a little credit for having the foresight of being one of the first to realize how much of a disaster Jerod Mayo was going to be as a first year head coach. Perhaps, he was one of the first to notice how dysfunctional the locker room was becoming and where things were headed.

Maybe we were too hard on him. Okorafor was signed by the Jets in March so it appears he didn't quit on playing football, just on playing for the Patriots.

The first eye-opening move, however, and the first sign of how things were going to change around here was when Davon Godchaux got traded to the New Orleans Saints on March 12. This was the same Davon Godchaux that former head coach Bill Belichick, as recently as July 2022, called "one of the best defensive linemen in the league."

(By the way, Belichick's new book called "The Art of Winning" is available in book stores now. I am willing to bet he didn't include – just like he never mentioned Robert Kraft's name – the Godchaux comment or or any of his other personnel moves after 2018 in the book. Belichick has other things to worry about now.)

Godchaux wasn't happy last summer when he was stuck standing empty-handed with his arms outstretched while Mayo and Eliot Wolf were re-signing players and throwing money around like beads on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras.

After the first month of the season, Godchaux took it upon himself to call out the rest of the team for being "selfish" and not putting the team first. This coming from the guy that refused to practice until he got more money just a couple of months earlier.

One of the priorities Vrabel stated during his introductory press conference was that he was going to eliminate the feeling of entitlement on the team. The wide receivers, in particular, all took turns making ridiculous comments during the 2024 season.

Ja'Lynn Polk said he believed he "had the best hands in the league." Polk finished the season with 12 receptions on 33 targets. If my math is correct, that means he didn't catch about two-thirds of the balls thrown in his direction.

DeMario Douglas told the media the Patriots weren't winning because they weren't targeting him enough early in the season.

Kayshon Boutte would say the same thing in mid-October– crediting himself for demanding the ball on a long touchdown pass from Drake Maye just before the end of the first half in a game in Foxboro against the Houston Texans in October. The comment took attention away from the fact that was Drake Maye's first touchdown pass in the NFL.

Godchaux viewed himself as an unofficial captain on the team. So did some of the other veterans, and even some younger players who didn't realize they were lucky to even be on a NFL team.

After all, who was going to stop these guys from speaking their minds? Mayo had even encouraged his team to break free from the chains of Bill Belichick. Do radio interviews. Do podcasts. Don't be shy.

As the losses began piling up, Mayo lost all control of the team. Everyone was pointing fingers. There was no accountability. For lack of a better phrase, the inmates were running the asylum.

I think Vrabel saw that dysfunction in the locker room. Who couldn't? I also think Vrabel not only put the blame at Mayo and his coaching staff's feet, but also blamed the official captains on the team – David Andrews, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Deatrich Wise Jr., Jacoby Brissett, Jabrill Peppers, and Joe Cardona.

Vrabel has made mention how he expects his captains to have their lockers positioned closest to the entrance of the locker room. Their responsibility is to police the locker room. He wants the captains to observe players as they come and go. What time are players arriving or leaving? What kind of condition are they in when they show up? What is their mood or body language?

The 2024 team lacked leadership on every level – from ownership down to the front office down to the head coach, his coaching staff, team captains, and the veterans.

One day after Godchaux was traded, veteran center David Andrews was, surprisingly, released.

Andrews had been held out the final couple of games of the 2024 preseason because he was perceived – because he, undoubtedly, was – the glue that held together a very fragile, porous offensive line.

The final two preseason games was a comedy of errors from the center position – fumbled snaps, holding penalties, getting steamrolled by defenders.

When Andrews' season came to an end after Week 4, so did any hopes the Patriots had for a winning season. The hope was that, in 2025, Andrews would be back mentoring and snapping the ball to second-year quarterback, Drake Maye, calling out blocking assignments, and helping anchor and develop the next generation of offensive linemen in New England.

Vrabel had other plans. It was a precursor of things to come.

Nobody noticed when Jacoby Brissett signed as a free agent on March 11 with the Arizona Cardinals. He had done what was expected of him when he signed with the Patriots on a one-year contract. He had served as a bridge to Drake Maye. He earned every bit of the $8 million he got from Robert Kraft – taking hellacious hit after hellacious hit in the first few weeks of the season until Maye was ready to take over.

Maybe a few more people noticed when Deatrich Wise signed with the Washington Commanders on March 19. At no point did I ever hear any talk of him coming back to New England despite Wise recording 17 sacks the last three seasons for an anemic pass rushing squad.

Although not a captain, the Commanders had already signed nine-year Patriots' veteran cornerback, Jonathan Jones a week before.

On March 28, Ja'Whaun Bentley was released. Bentley led the Patriots in tackles for three consecutive seasons from 2021-2023. He would have led the team in 2024, as well, if he didn't suffer a season-ending injury in Week 2.

And, finally, last week, not even Joe Cardona evaded Vrabel's radar despite only being a long snapper. Cardona was the last player on the Patriots that could tell other players in the locker room what it was like to wear a Patriots' uniform and play and win Super Bowls with Tom Brady.

Cardona, a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve and a Belichick personal favorite, should have seen the writing on the wall when the other captains were sent sailing. When the Patriots spent a draft pick on a long snapper specialist in this year's draft, he knew to pack his bags.

Now that free agency and the draft are done, it doesn't mean the remaining Patriots' veterans are now all safe on this season of "Survivor: New England." There are no winners just yet.

Phil Perry points out in an article on NBC Sports Boston that, of the 90 players on the current roster, only 48 were on the team last year. That means, when all is said and done, that almost half of the roster next year will be new players.

This is not a rebuild, folks. This is an absolute demolition and reconstruction. This has the feel of starting an expansion team.

Let's take a look at some of the 48 players that are still here from last year and what the probability is that they do survive to suit up for the Patriots in 2025:

Rhamondre Stevenson, running back

Stevenson makes this list because of his fumbling difficulties last season. He fumbled seven times last year. Mike Vrabel has emphasized numerous times the importance of protecting the ball and keeping it away from the other guys.

Stevenson is also on this list because the Patriots used a very high draft pick (second round) on a running back, TreVeyon Henderson, who didn't lose a fumble in his entire college career. Do you think that is a coincidence?

Working in Stevenson's favor is his obvious talent and the fact that, prior to last season, he had only fumbled seven times in his previous three seasons despite a very heavy workload and drawing almost all the attention of opposing defenses.

Also in Stevenson's favor is the fact that Vrabel mentioned in interviews that Stevenson isn't entirely to blame for his fumbles. The offensive line deserves blame, as well, for not keeping with their blocks and allowing second and/or third tacklers to get to Stevenson to focus on stripping the ball out.

I've always been a big fan of Stevenson. I think he has a monster year in 2025. It should be with the Patriots.

Chances of making the team: 95%

Antonio Gibson. running back

The running back that should be worried about the Patriots drafting Henderson should be Gibson. Gibson, a converted wide receiver, was signed by New England in hopes that he would be a James White-type third down receiving back.

For some unknown reason, Mayo and first-year offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt made little, if any, attempt to utilize Gibson's skills in the passing game. Gibson finished with a – by far – career low of 23 receptions last year on only 29 targets. That is fewer than two targets per game.

Gibson was a very pleasant surprise in the running game, however. Maybe it shouldn't have been a surprise as he was an every down back in Washington prior to coming to New England.

He bristled at the suggestion that he was a third down back when he was asked about it by the media when he signed with New England. How is he going to accept being third-string now and seeing his touches reduced even more?

I don't think he is going to like it and I don't think he will be quiet about it. Factor in the fact that I think it is a lock that undrafted free agent, Lan Larison, is going to become a fan favorite and make this team, and it wouldn't surprise me if Gibson is traded or cut.

Chance of making the team: 36%

Ja'Lynn Polk, wide receiver

It would be hard to cut Polk after investing an early second round pick on him just a year ago. However, Polk wasn't a Vrabel draft pick. We've already established Vrabel isn't hesitating to make a clean break from the past.

Not that it matters too much, but Eliot Wolf is still here. He was the one who drafted Polk. It would be embarrassing for him to admit that he screwed up making his first real draft pick. Drafting Drake Maye first last year should have been a layup for any GM worth their salt.

The Patriots' organization gave 2022 second round draft pick, Tyquan Thornton, almost three seasons to prove himself. I doubt they'd give up on Polk after only one. Let's see what he can do with some real coaching and some creative offensive schemes.

Chance of sticking: 92%

Javon Baker, wide receiver

Baker, on the other hand, was not a top draft pick. He is far more expendable. After watching the video he posted the day he got drafted, his introductory press conference with the media, and the incident he had with the police at Logan airport, I have a hard time believing he is going to respond well to Vrabel.

I may be wrong. Maybe what Baker needs is a mentor and some hard love to humble him and motivate him to reach his potential. There is no doubt that the potential is there.

Maybe he is like Keon White and he really wants to be coached up. It is just too crowded of a wide receiver room, right now, for me seeing him make the team. Maybe if an injury or two happens in July and August to some of the other receivers, it might open the door for him. I am rooting for him to make it on his own merits – not because some other receivers get injured.

Chance of making the team: 6%

DeMario Douglas, wide receiver

You may be surprised I am including him on this list, but I don't think Douglas is a sure thing to make the team in 2025. You may be snickering at your screen right now, saying, "Of course he is making the team, you moron."

You may even be moving the cursor to the "X" button right now to close this window... but wait! Just hear me out on this one. You've come too far in this article to quit now.

Douglas has benefitted from being thought of as the best, most explosive receiver on a Patriots' roster that has had the worst group of wide receivers in the NFL the last two years. However, the numbers don't even back that up much.

Douglas only has three touchdown catches in two seasons. All of them have come in garbage time of games. He only averaged 9.4 yards per reception last year. He only broke two tackles all year on 66 catches. Those are not explosive numbers.

His hands aren't that great. He dropped seven passes last year which tied him for 13th in the league last year.

The thing that worries me the most is I don't think he and Drake Maye have any chemistry together. He is a small target at 5'8". They weren't on the same page on several plays last year. Douglas would zig when Maye thought he would zag. You want your slot receiver to think like you and see what you see 100% of the time – something similar to the connection Julian Edelman and Tom Brady had.

The example that sticks out in my mind that things may never click between Maye and Douglas was when Maye underthrew Douglas over the middle for an interception to seal a 28-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Leading up to that point, all signs pointed to this being Maye's first signature comeback moment. The Patriots were trailing 28-13 early in the fourth quarter, but then Maye got into the zone.

The Patriots had the ball in Maye's hands with a chance to win with under two minutes to go, but then Maye threw an easy interception to Kam Kinchens of the Rams. Maye must have thought that Douglas was going to cut his route short and just sit in the middle of the field, but instead Douglas did his best Forrest Gump impersonation and just kept running to the endzone and never even looked back for the ball.

I think Douglas screwed up the route, but even if he didn't, because of his size and small catch radius, it would have been a nearly impossible window for Maye to fit the ball in over the middle in that situation.

I know it is only one play, but it spoke volumes to me. It encapsulates the issues with Douglas being relied on as a primary receiver. He hasn't had one big, clutch play in his two seasons here. He is one big (and maybe not even so big) hit away from being lost for a season.

Fans in New England have an image of what they wish Douglas really is, but he is not that guy. Josh McDaniels is, obviously, smarter than us. He knows what characteristics and traits to look for in his prototypical slot receiver – sure-handed, phone booth quick, high football IQ, and tough.

The Patriots may have signed someone as an undrafted free agent who I think has all those characteristics McDaniels is looking for, and he may just make Douglas expendable. His name is Efton Chism III.

Chances of sticking: 87%

Kendrick Bourne, wide receiver

Bourne is another one who is overrated around these parts because he has been viewed as the veteran leader of this crappy wide receiver corps we've had around these parts since Julian Edelman left town in 2020.

Bourne will be 30 years old when the regular season starts. He is not too far removed from a torn ACL. The Patriots would save $5.1 million against the cap if he gets released. I think Vrabel will look to move on from the sharp-dressed football real life version of Willie Mays Hayes.

Chances of sticking: 9%

Vederian Lowe, tackle

Vederian Lowe is the reason the Patriots needed to draft Will Campbell with the fourth overall pick in this year's draft. According to PFF, Lowe ranked 101 out of 140 tackles last season. His run blocking ranked 131 out of 140.

I find it hard to believe that his pass blocking was much better, but PFF says it was. He gave up five sacks (111th out of 140) and committed 13 penalties (131st out of 140). He also allowed 33 pressures (116th out of 140).

I don't even want him on the team as a backup. I'd rather take my chances with 7th-round pick, Marcus Bryant. If Vrabel wants to wipe this team clean of the stink of last year, he ought to have started with Lowe.

Chance of sticking: 13%

Cole Strange, guard/center

After the Patriots released David Andrews and before they signed Garrett Bradbury, it was looking like Strange would be the starting center going into the 2025 season. When the Patriots did sign Bradbury, it looked like Strange would have the slight advantage at winning back his starting left guard position.

Then the Patriots drafted Jared Wilson. Wilson was drafted as a center, but he had played guard prior to switching to center his senior year at Georgia. Wilson is 6'4", 325 pounds compared to Strange's 6'5", 310 pounds. Wilson is only 21 and still has time to grow some more, which is scary.

The Patriots have already declined the fifth-year option on Strange's rookie contract meaning Strange will be a free agent after the 2025 season. Might the Patriots cut him loose sooner than that?

I know Strange has taken a lot of heat around here for being a bust as a first round pick. Everyone remembers Sean McVay's reaction when Belichick drafted him. But it's not Strange's fault Belichick drafted him in the first round – probably two or three rounds earlier than everyone expected. I still think he is useful and can be a solid pro.

Chances of him sticking: 88%

Garrett Bradbury, center

Bradbury was signed after the Patriots released veteran David Andrews. Bradbury was released by the Minnesota Vikings after they signed Indianapolis' Ryan Kelly.

Expectations were high for the Vikings heading into the playoffs after a 14-3 season, but Sam Darnold was sacked nine times in their first playoff game in a loss to the LA Rams. Bradbury, who according to PFF, ranked 55th out of 64 centers in pass blocking was scapegoated as being a big part of the problem.

That PFF ranking is what kept Patriots' fans from not getting too excited over signing the former first-round pick. Weren't we supposed to be trying to help Drake Maye and not get him killed?

Bradbury seems like a very likable guy, based on his introductory press conference. He has only missed nine games in six seasons. I don't think the Patriots anticipated having the great fortune of having the best center in this year's draft fall to them at pick number 95, however. That change things.

I think there is a good chance Jared Wilson starts from day one, just like another Georgia center, David Andrews, once did for the Patriots. The question will be if Wilson starts at center or left guard. Bradbury would not accept being a backup, therefore I think there is a chance Bradbury never plays a snap in the regular season for the Patriots.

Chances of making the team: 43%

Jahlani Tavai, linebacker

I don't see how Tavai is still on the team now, nevermind come the start of the season. Hey, don't get me wrong. I cannot think of another New England Patriots player in my lifetime who I have come around more on than Tavai.

I hated Tavai when I first saw him play with the Patriots. Maybe I was projecting my hatred of Matt Patricia upon him because Patricia brought him over from Detroit after Patricia failed, miserably, there as head coach.

But Tavai has improved a lot in his time with New England, totalling over 100 tackles each of the last two seasons after only having 14 in his first season with the Patriots in 2021. He won me over.

The Patriots, totally, revamped the defense this offseason, especially the linebacker position. They brought in Harold Landry, Robert Spillane, K'Lavon Chaisson, and Jack Gibbons. They also matched the Raiders' offer sheet and gave my favorite revelation from last year, Christian Ellis, a nice fat contract to stay here in New England.

I don't think Tavai fits the scheme Vrabel is trying to install with lighter, faster, harder-hitting, more violent players on defense. I figured Tavai would have been released when Bentley was. Maybe the fact that he wasn't, immediately, released means Vrabel might like him.

Chance of sticking: 16%

Marte Mapu, ???

It is that "???" I put after Mapu's name that is the reason he makes this list. Is he a linebacker or a safety? No one seems to know.

Mapu was another one of Belichick's infamous reaches in recent drafts which is the reason Belichick is no longer here. Belichick took Mapu with the 76th overall pick in the 2003 draft. It wasn't easy finding footage of Mapu playing in college with the Sacramento State Hornets of the Big Sky Conference.

Ever heard of those two things? Not too many people have, but that was Bill Belichick always trying to be smarter than everyone else. He was always playing chess while others were playing checkers, remember?

Just like Cole Strange, I like Mapu and he shouldn't be blamed for Belichick drafting him much earlier than anyone else was willing to do. Mapu does have the lean size, speed, quickness, and aggressive style that Vrabel favors. The problem is Vrabel likes players who can stay on the field and that has been an issue with Mapu.

There is no room for Mapu at linebacker, which I think is his best fit. I think he has a chance to be a pretty good strong safety, but the Patriots have a logjam there, too.

But maybe not. We'll get to that next.

Chance of sticking: 64%

Kyle Dugger, safety

Some of you may remember when Bill Belichick cut fan favorite and hard-hitting strong safety Lawyer Milloy just prior to the 2003 regular season. Mike Vrabel does. He was on that team and he was just as shocked as anybody.

Dugger reminds me a lot of Milloy. Will he suffer the same fate as Milloy?

It wouldn't surprise me when I stop to think about Vrabel making safety, Craig Woodson, the first defensive player he picked in the 2025 draft. He didn't draft an edge player or a defensive lineman or a slot cornerback first. No, he drafted a safety.

Now why would he draft a safety when it didn't appear to be a position of need? And why would he draft someone who plays exactly like Dugger and – while we're at it – Jabrill Peppers?

Might it be because Vrabel is getting ready to pull a Milloy?

Dugger was another Belichick guy that was considered a reach when he was drafted. Dugger is tied to Belichick, probably, more than any other player on the current roster. That puts a target right on his #23.

Chance of sticking: 56%

Jabrill Peppers, safety

Finally, that brings us to the last surviving captain from last season. Peppers was just emerging as a vocal leader on and off the field when he got himself into some serious off the field trouble involving a woman who may or not have been his girlfriend. He was acquitted of all charges against him in January of this year, but he did admit to the possession of cocaine.

I don't know – when I was younger, that was pretty serious stuff. I grew up in the 1980's rooting for players like Tony Collins and Irving Fryar. Players used to get banned from the league back in the day for using cocaine.

It's a shame. Hopefully, Peppers can put all those issues behind him. Peppers would appear to be the perfect player to quarterback Vrabel's defense. He still may be, but if he screws up again, Vrabel won't be as forgiving as Mayo was. It will be one strike and you're out with him.

Vrabel did say everyone would come in with a clean slate with him. Peppers will be the test of that. Vrabel will need a powerful clean magic eraser to clean that slate.

With Vrabel reaching a little bit in the draft and making Woodson his first defensive draft pick, I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that either Dugger or Peppers will be gone before the season starts. Because of Dugger's stronger connection to the Belichick era, I think Peppers stays and Dugger is gone. It is a gamble, though, if Peppers doesn't keep his nose clean.

Chance of sticking: 86%