NFL Cut Candidates: 10 Players Patriots Should Keep Eye On
These players align with some of New England's biggest questions
While the Patriots will have plenty of their own decisions to make when they trim their roster, New England is not alone.
It’s unlikely a team will part ways with a star receiver or franchise left tackle as they cut their roster to 53 players. No, New England won’t be landing franchise-altering talents in late August. But there are players who could become available and could help the Patriots improve on the margins — should Eliot Wolf and company wish to do so.
Here are 10 players who the Patriots could look into if they’re cut by their respective teams.
Jack Conklin, Cleveland Browns, OT
The veteran offensive tackle suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1 of the 2023 campaign. It marked the second time in three seasons the 29-year-old missed considerable time (22 games last three seasons). Conklin has since recovered and plans to be healthy in training camp after missing OTAs and minicamp. A First Team All-Pro in 2020, Conklin is expected to compete with Dawand Jones for Cleveland’s starting right tackle spot. Given much of his compensation is non-guaranteed, he could be a trade or cut candidate in late August. If the Patriots are looking for a best five on the offensive line, it’s hard to imagine a healthy Conklin not cracking that group.
Honorable mention: Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens
John Metchie, Houston Texans, WR
A second-round pick in 2022, Metchie missed his rookie campaign after he was diagnosed with leukemia. He recovered and played 16 games for the Texans last season, though the Alabama product underwhelmed with 16 receptions for 158 yards. Houston now has one of the deepest receiver rooms in the NFL after trading for Stefon Diggs to join Nico Collins and Tank Dell. Metchie, along with veteran Robert Woods, feel like viable cut candidates. The 24-year-old still has plenty of potential and could benefit from landing with a young, rebuilding team like the Patriots.
Honorable mentions: Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns; Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
James Bradberry, Philadelphia Eagles, CB
Bradberry is coming off an underwhelming 2023 campaign and saw the Eagles add two cornerbacks with top-40 draft picks. Philadelphia also could avoid nearly $11 million in dead money should it designate Bradberry as a post-June-1 cut, per Bleacher Report. The Patriots have their top outside cornerback in Christian Gonzalez and a depth chart including Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones and a handful of young players.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos, RB
The Patriots have a competition going for their third running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson, who recently landed an extension, and veteran Antonio Gibson. Williams, who enters the 2024 campaign two seasons removed from a knee injury, would be better than any option New England currently has. Denver drafted a Williams replacement, Audric Estimé, in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft and undrafted rookie Blake Watson reportedly impressed this spring.
Honorable mentions: Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears; Jeff Wilson Jr., Miami Dolphins
Greg Joseph, Green Bay Packers, K
The Packers are set to enter training camp with a three-way competition at kicker including Anders Carlson, Jack Podlesny and Joseph. Given the Patriots’ uncertainty at kicker, the veteran Joseph, who played his last three seasons in Minnesota, could be among those to hit the open market. Joseph converted 95% of his extra-point attempts and 80% of his field goal tries. Patriots kicker Chad Ryland made 64% of his field goal attempts during his rookie season with 96% success rate on extra points.
