Pats Pulpit
Eight moves were left to make before the NFL deadline passed in Foxborough. A former first-round pick would be among them.
The New England Patriots officially waived offensive linemen Cole Strange and Jack Conley, defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie, outside linebacker Bradyn Swinson, cornerback Kobee Minor and wide receiver Jeremiah Webb before 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
The organization also placed wideout Ja’Lynn Polk and linebacker Jahlani Tavai on injured reserve to establish the initial 53-man roster. The latter received the designation to return from IR however, after missing a minimum of four games to start the regular season.
Strange, 27, arrived at pick No. 29 overall in the 2022 NFL draft. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound product of Chattanooga went on to appear in 30 games with the Patriots, starting 29. He started his first 27 games at left guard before suffering a torn patellar tendon late in the 2023 season. Strange opened 2024 on the physically unable to perform list and returned to start the final two weeks at center. His fifth-year option was declined in the spring.
Conley, 24, agreed to terms with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in May. The 6-foot-7, 333-pound rookie out of Boston College saw action right guard, left guard, right tackle and as an eligible tight end for the Eagles. He started all 12 games and earned All-ACC honorable mention in 2024.
Ritzie, 22, landed as part of New England’s undrafted class of 2025. The 6-foot-4, 294-pound defensive tackle out of North Carolina played in 51 games and finished his Tar Heels tenure with 138 tackles, nine sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles.
Swinson, 23, was chosen by the Patriots in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft at No. 146 overall. The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder former Oregon transfer to LSU appeared in 55 games off the edges altogether. His 2024 campaign featured 58 tackles, plus Tigers highs with 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
Minor, 23, checked in as “Mr. Irrelevant” in the 2025 draft class, getting the call in the seventh round at No. 257 overall. The 5-foot-11, 188-pound cornerback finished his five-year career at Memphis following stints at Indiana and Texas Tech. He played in all 11 games last season while having a hand in 38 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and six passes defensed.
Webb, 24, caught his first NFL touchdown in the final game of the preseason while adding his second explosive punt return in as many contests. The 5-foot-11, 198-pound rookie wideout was signed by New England as an undrafted free agent out of South Alabama in May. He began his collegiate career at South Dakota and finished his 2024 season with 36 catches for 649 yards and five touchdowns across 13 games.
Polk, 23, sustained a shoulder injury in the preseason opener that brings his sophomore year to an end with surgery. Taken in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft at No. 37 overall, he caught 12 passes for 87 yards...
