Six Veteran Patriots Who Are On Hot Seat After NFL Draft

The New England Patriots were extremely busy during the week of the 2025 NFL Draft.

It’s the league’s version of the circle of life, as more than two dozen players were drafted or reportedly signed to begin their careers, while several others were told to pack their things and leave One Patriot Place.

New England might be done making roster moves for now, but given an influx of young talent, we’ll eventually see some difficult decisions made toward the end of the summer. Who will stay? Who just experienced the beginning of the end? How long does Jahlani Tavai have left?

I think a few of those answers are rather obvious:

LS Joe Cardona

Julian Ashby was the first long snapper to be drafted in four years, so it’s safe to say he has a roster spot barring an unfortunate case of the yips or something. The Patriots will get younger and cheaper at the position and now won’t have to worry about a contract for four seasons, so the clock is ticking on Cardona.

WR Kayshon Boutte

The Patriots have way too many guys in their current wide receiver room, so we might see one or two moves made before we even get to training camp. Kyle Williams was selected at No. 69, so he will absolutely make this team, while Efton Chism III (Eastern Washington), Demeer Blankumsee (Memphis) and Jeremiah Webb (South Alabama) were reportedly added as undrafted free agents to bring the current total to 12.

Boutte was a favorite target of Drake Maye in 2024, but the math just isn’t in his favor entering 2025. Williams, Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas are locks, while Mack Hollins, Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker all have the edge over him due to contract status or draft position. Chism even seems like a decent bet to crack the roster, so it feels like it’s only a matter of time until some sort of move is made.

IOL Garrett Bradbury

Bradbury seemed like a savior back when he signed in March, helping provide a steady presence after dealing with injuries and inconsistency from David Andrews, Ben Brown and Cole Strange.

New England turned around and drafted his replacement just one month later, though, so you’d have to imagine they aren’t married to the idea of him being the starting center entering this summer. Jared Wilson will be given every opportunity to earn that starting gig, which could send the veteran to the bench or off the roster completely.

IOL Cole Strange

Wilson earning that starting role means one thing: Strange and Bradbury would have to fight it out for the top reserve role on the interior. Layden Robinson seems to have left guard on lockdown, so there could be a veteran battle for just one or two reserve spots throughout the summer.

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LB Jahlani Tavai

Tavai was never going to play off the ball in this system, but some of us believed there would be opportunities for him to get more reps as an edge setter on early downs — which is where he found his greatest success thus far.

The Patriots wouldn’t be on the hook for very much money if they ultimately cut him, so perhaps they bite the bullet to give more opportunities to the likes of Bradyn Swinson and some of the UDFAs. It’s more likely they keep him around, but the chances seem to increase daily that he ends up elsewhere.

S Marte Mapu

Mapu is talented enough to make a difference, but he can’t stay healthy. Mike Vrabel might fall in love with his abilities and keep him on the roster, but there’s now one more safety in what was already a crowded defensive backfield. Craig Woodson does what they need. Mapu doesn’t.

What do you think, folks? Who would you put on the roster bubble?