It wasn’t a complete rebuild for the New England Patriots, but in the first year without former coach and de facto general manager Bill Belichick, they made some significant roster changes.
Most of those changes came on the offensive side of the ball with newly-hired head coach Jerod Mayo and lead personnel executive Eliot Wolf aiming to clean up the mess from last season. The Patriots had one of the worst offenses in the NFL in 2023.
If they don’t improve this season, they’re sure to fall off the same 4-13 cliff they did under Belichick. Let’s take a look at last year’s roster next to the 2024 roster for the Patriots and see how they compare.
Quarterback
| 2023 | 2024 |
| Mac Jones | Jacoby Brissett |
| Drake Maye | |
| Joe Milton III |
The quarterback position was a barren wasteland behind Mac Jones in the initial 53-man roster in 2023. Granted, the team did end up signing Bailey Zappe to the practice squad before promoting him to the main roster.
But things are obviously in a much better place in 2024 with Jacoby Brissett serving in the veteran role, while the Patriots develop two intriguing rookies in Drake Maye and Joe Milton III.
Running Back
| 2023 | 2024 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | Rhamondre Stevenson |
| Ezekiel Elliott | Antonio Gibson |
| JaMycal Hasty |
Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott would have made a formidable one-two punch at running back if Stevenson could have stayed healthy. Elliott being one-and-done in New England meant the Patriots had to reconstruct their running back position behind Stevenson.
They managed to do so by signing Antonio Gibson and getting veteran JaMycal Hasty more involved as the No. 3 option.
Wide Receiver
| 2023 | 2024 |
| DeVante Parker | DeMario Douglas |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | Ja’Lynn Polk |
| Kendrick Bourne | Tyquan Thornton |
| DeMario Douglas | Javon Baker |
| Kayshon Boutte | K.J. Osborn |
| Tyquan Thornton | Jalen Reagor |
| Kayshon Boutte |
The Patriots still have issues at receiver, but they’ve made more of a commitment to younger talent. Last season was an absolute mess with a banged-up JuJu Smith-Schuster and declining DeVante Parker as two of their top receiving options.
They’ve added two promising rookies, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, to go along with the leading receivers from 2023, DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne. The unit still might not be great, but it has improved.
Tight End
| 2023 | 2024 |
| Hunter Henry | Hunter Henry |
| Mike Gesicki | Austin Hooper |
| Jaheim Bell |
Re-signing Hunter Henry was a big move for the Patriots in the offseason. He’s the team’s top red zone target and a former captain. They’ve replaced Mike Gesicki with another veteran receiving target in Austin Hooper, while also adding some youth to the mix with rookie seventh-round draft pick Jaheim Bell.
Offensive Line
| 2023 | 2024 |
| Trent Brown | David Andrews |
| Cole Strange | Nick Leverett |
| David Andrews | Michael Jordan (PS) |
| Mike Onwenu | Vederian Lowe |
| Riley Reiff | Chukwuma Okorafor |
| Jake Andrews | Mike Onwenu |
| Sidy Sow | Layden Robinson |
| Atonio Mafi | Sidy Sow |
| Tyrone Wheatley Jr. | Caedan Wallace |
| Vederian Lowe | |
| Calvin Anderson |
The situation along the offensive front in New England is worse than it was last season. Trent Brown is playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, and Cole Strange, Calvin Anderson and Jake Andrews are all out with injuries.
There’s hope that rookies Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson can contribute right out of the gates. The sad state of the current offensive line is likely a big reason why the Patriots have been hesitant to start rookie Drake Maye at quarterback.
Defensive Line
| 2023 | 2024 |
| Christian Barmore | Davon Godchaux |
| Davon Godchaux | Deatrich Wise Jr. |
| Lawrence Guy | Daniel Ekuale |
| Sam Roberts | Trysten Hill (PS) |
| Daniel Ekuale | Jeremiah Pharms Jr. |
| Keion White | Keion White |
| Deatrich Wise Jr. |
The defensive front took a big hit for the Patriots this season with the loss of Christian Barmore. They also cut Lawrence Guy in the offseason. So this year’s unit will be missing two key veteran playmakers.
There’s hope that Barmore will return at some point, and the team is also hoping for breakout seasons from Keion White and Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Linebacker
| 2023 | 2024 |
| Ja’Whaun Bentley | Ja’Whaun Bentley |
| Jahlani Tavai | Jahlani Tavai |
| Marte Mapu | Christian Elliss |
| Mack Wilson Sr. | Anfernee Jennings |
| Matthew Judon | Raekwon McMillan |
| Joshua Uche | Joshua Uche |
| Anfernee Jennings | Oshane Ximines |
The man with the red sleeves is no longer with the Patriots.
Matthew Judon was sent packing to the Atlanta Falcons for a third-round draft pick. The team felt comfortable making the move due to the emergence of players like Anfernee Jennings, Keion White and Oshane Ximines. All three will need to step up to help fill the massive void left by the four-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher, Judon.
Cornerback
| 2023 | 2024 |
| Christian Gonzalez | Christian Gonzalez |
| Jack Jones | Jonathan Jones |
| Jonathan Jones | Marcus Jones |
| Marcus Jones | Alex Austin |
| Myles Bryant | Marcellas Dial Jr. |
| Shaun Wade | Marco Wilson |
| Isaiah Bolden (cut) |
The defensive backfield should be even better in 2024 with Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones healthy. There’s also more reliable depth with Alex Austin and Marco Wilson. The veteran standout and two-time Super Bowl champion, Jonathan Jones, is still in the mix this season as well.
Safety
| 2023 | 2024 |
| Kyle Dugger | Kyle Dugger |
| Adrian Phillips | Jabrill Peppers |
| Jalen Mills | Jaylinn Hawkins |
| Jabrill Peppers | Dell Pettus |
| Brenden Schooler | Brenden Schooler |
The Patriots essentially swapped out Adrian Phillips and Jalen Mills for Jaylinn Hawkins and Dell Pettus. It’s the youth movement in New England with the team leaning on younger secondary talent behind Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers. Hawkins has experience as a starter, and Pettus could be a diamond in the rough as an undrafted rookie.
Specialists
| 2023 | 2024 |
| Chad Ryland | Joey Slye |
| Bryce Baringer | Bryce Baringer |
| Joe Cardona | Joe Cardona |
The one change here is Joey Slye beating out Chad Ryland for the starting kicking job. Ryland, a 2023 fourth-round draft pick, had a shaky rookie season and was upended by the veteran in a close training camp battle.
Bryce Baringer had a solid first year as the punter, and he should be even better in 2024. Meanwhile, it’ll be business as usual with the Patriots’ long-time long-snapper Joe Cardona.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]