Along with an exciting 11-player draft class, the Patriots have signed 16 undrafted rookies who will compete for a roster spot in training camp this summer.
On Thursday, New England announced the following undrafted rookies have been officially signed to the 90-man roster: T Cole Birdow, WR Demeer Blankumsee, WR Efton Chism III, G Jack Conley, CB Brandon Crossley, TE C.J. Dippre, FB Brock Lampe, RB Lan Larison, S Josh Minkins, CB Jordan Polk, LB Elijah Ponder, LB Cam Riley, DT Jahvaree Ritzie, TE Gee Scott Jr., WR Jeremiah Webb and QB Ben Wooldridge.
The Patriots have a great history of finding hidden gems through undrafted free agency. The Pats 19-year streak of a UDFA making the initial 53-man roster came to an end in 2023, but New England only skipped one year, with DB Dell Pettus making the initial cut last season. Along with having an undrafted rookie make the team in 20 of the last 21 seasons, several undrafted players have had excellent careers with the Patriots: David Andrews, Malcolm Butler, and Jonathan Jones are probably the most notable players who shined in Foxboro after going undrafted.
Although several undrafted rookies have a chance to make the Patriots roster, here are my top candidates to make the initial 53-man roster this summer.
Dippre was a projected 5th-6th rounder in my rankings due to his pro-ready frame, blocking upside, and untapped potential as a pass-catcher (8.71 RAS, 4.69s 40-yard dash). The Athletic’s Dane Brugler also gave Dippre a 5th-6th round grade in his draft guide “The Beast,” so I’m not the only one who thought the Alabama tight end would get drafted. The Pats have two tight ends locked into roster spots with starter Hunter Henry and steady TE2, Austin Hooper. However, it’s a wide-open competition between 2024 seventh-rounder Jaheim Bell, Jack Westover, and Dippre for TE3.