The New England Patriots had an active first day of the NFL’s new league as they agreed to contract terms with four external free agents while also seeing several defenders depart from last year’s squad.
With the dust settled, here’s who was impacted the most, both positively and negatively, by their moves on Wednesday.
Winners
S Craig Woodson: Last year’s fourth-round pick ended his rookie season playing some of the best football among anyone on the Patriots roster. Entering year two, he will lose running mate and former University of Cal teammate Jaylinn Hawkins, but will now get to work alongside three-time first-team All-Pro Kevin Byard. The 32-year old, who Mike Vrabel has described as having a “very calm, confident demeanor” while be a key mentor for Woodson early in his career. Byard’s work in the deep part of the field may also free Woodson up to play closer to the line of scrimmage at times next season.
ED Elijah Ponder & ED Bradyn Swinson: New England released Anfernee Jennings on Wednesday and saw K’Lavon Chaisson then sign with the Washington Commanders. Even after adding Dre’Mont Jones on the first day of the legal tampering period, the Patriots have much work to do along the edge. Where the group stands now, however, thrusts second year players Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson into elevated roles on the depth chart. Ponder, a favorite of outside linebackers coach Mike Smith, could especially be in the team’s plans as a rotational rusher next season.
Losers
S Dell Pettus& LB Marte Mapu: Beyond the addition of Byard, the Patriots also signed safety Mike Brown after the start of the league new year. Brown was with Mike Vrabel and special teams coach Tom Quinn for over a year in Tennessee where he served as a key special teamer — which included spending most of the 2023 season as the team’s personnel protector on punt coverage. In New England, that role was held by Marte Mapu last season and Dell Pettus the year prior, while Brown will also challenge Pettus on the safety depth chart.
TE C.J. Dippre: A 2025 UDFA, Dippre started his rookie year on the practice squad before earning a spot on the 53-man roster — where he was active for just two games. Entering the offseason, Dippre slotted in as the top tight end under contract behind Hunter Henry. That was until Wednesday when the Patriots made a three-year commitment (pending guarantees) to Julian Hill, who’s primary strengths overlap with Dippre as a blocking tight end. The Patriots are now also expected to target the position in the draft.
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