New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots’ crop of undrafted free agents could be among the most impactful we’ve seen in recent seasons.
Is that a bit strong considering the fact training camp practices haven’t even begun?
Yes, but bear with me!
The NFL as a whole has discovered a few diamonds in the rough over the last several seasons. Jaylen McCullough and Omar Speights made a decent impact with the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, each serving as legitimate contributors on a team that was one or two plays away from a conference title game appearance. The Las Vegas Raiders signed six future starters back in 2019 – offensive linemen Lester Cotton and Andre James, wide receiver Keelan Doss, punter A.J. Cole, fullback Alec Ingold and cornerback Keisean Nixon – with the latter two eventually thriving for other franchises. The Baltimore Ravens signed a Pro Bowl quarterback and a WWE Intercontinental Champion back in 2020.
Seriously, look it up.
The Patriots’ 2025 class just has something about it, though.
I don’t know if they’ll reach never-before-seen heights or anything, but given the success of the organization’s UDFAs over the last two decades, it’s not all that surprising these dudes signed up to live in Foxboro, Mass.
New England carried a streak of at least one free agent rookie carried on its initial roster from 2004 to 2023 — with Jonathan Jones, David Andrews and Malcolm Butler becoming bonafide starters on super bowl teams, while Jakobi Meyers, J.C. Jackson and Brenden Schooler all flashed throughout their tenures. James Develin, Brandon Bolden, Mike White, the list goes on.
No, Bill Belichick isn’t around to pick them out anymore, but these seven players – in my humble estimation – have a chance to help start another streak.
Jack Conley is a 6-foot-7, 333-pounder who could play four of five positions along the offensive line. Those are the exact kinds of dudes who crack rosters. The Patriots’ offensive line has improved, but it still kinda stinks in terms of depth on the interior, so I could see the local product pushing veterans like Cole Strange, or even some younger guys like Tyrese Robinson or Sidy Sow.
New England has left things wide open at left guard, and there’s a serious need for someone with guard-tackle versatility on the second unit. I’m just sayin’ you should keep an eye on the kid.
Elijah Ponder isn’t getting nearly enough love, but he could have been selected in the fifth round and no one would have batted an eye. He looks the part – standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 263 pounds – and has the production to back it up – finishing with 17 sacks over the last two seasons.
The Patriots have given him plenty of veteran competition in the likes of Harold Landry, Anfernee Jennings and K’Lavon Chaisson – as well as fellow rookie Bradyn Swinson – but you can never rule out a pass-rusher having a dominant camp...
