Full List: Patriots Practice Squad Headlined by QBs Zappe, Malik
FOXBORO — With the New England Patriots having crafted their initial 53-man roster for the upcoming season, Wednesday’s workload consisted of forming the team’s 16-man practice squad. Surprisingly, no player cut by New England on Tuesday was claimed on waivers. Therefore, the Pats were free to facilitate their returns via the practice squad.
As of now, the Pats have filled all 16 spots.
New England's 2023 Practice Squad:
Bailey Zappe — QB
After being shockingly cut by the Pats on Tuesday, Zappe is back via the scout team — at least, for now. He was drafted by New England in the fourth-round draft (no. 137 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Western Kentucky. The 6-1, 215-pounder, played in four games with two starts as a rookie. While Jones was shelved due to a high ankle sprain last October, Zappe performed well. The rookie demonstrated poise within the Patriots system. He led the team to a 2-0 record as a starter. Zappe finished the season completing 65 of 92 passes for 781 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Zappe finished the 2023 preseason going 30 of 51 (58.8 percent) for 253 yards with one touchdown and three fumbles — all of which came during the Pats preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans.
Malik Cunningham — QB
Cunningham was signed by New England as a rookie free agent out of Louisville in May. After an auspicious debut, in which he led an exciting game-ending drive in the Pats preseason opener against the Houston Texans, his production progressively declined. Cunningham failed to produce any positive plays at receiver or quarterback in the team’s preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans. Throughout his overall preseason, he completed three of six passes for 19 yards, caught one pass for -1 yard, and carried the ball six times for 39 yards and one score, with a 21-yard kickoff return. Cunningham’s dual threat capabilities make him a valuable scout-team asset, with the talent to be potential game day elevation.
Joshuah Bledsoe — S
Bledsoe projects as a versatile safety for the Patriots. His ideal fit would feature him in the D-gap/slot, in a big-nickel-heavy defensive scheme featuring man-to-man coverage assignments. He could be an option as an additional safety who subs in on late downs to play man coverage down closer to the line of scrimmage. While New England has a solid quartet of safeties in Kyle Dugger, Jalen Mills, Jabrill Peppers and Adrian Phillips employed in their base defense, Bledsoe should add some depth to the position as an occasional elevation.
Corliss Waitman — P
Waitman joined the league in 2020 as an undrafted rookie free agent by signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He spent 2021 training camp with the Las Vegas Raiders. Following brief stints with the Patriots practice squad, and a return to Pittsburgh, he was claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos. Waitman played in all 17 games with the Broncos last season. The 27-year-old averaged 46.6 yards (41.4 net yards) per punt across a league-leading 96 boots, 30 of which were downed inside the 20-yard line. He also ranked within the top 10 of the league with an average hang time of 4.37 seconds. Overall, he has played in 19 NFL games and had 103 punts for 4,835 yards for a 46.9-yard average.
Jeremiah Pharms, Jr. — DE
Pharms is a versatile interior lineman who logged 22 tackles and two sacks for the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL in the spring of 2022. He was a notable contributor during training camp practices and played 22 snaps in the Pats preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug 26. He spent the entirety of the season on the Pats scout team.
Thyrick Pitts — WR
Pitts was originally signed by the Chicago Bears as a rookie free agent from Delaware following April’s draft. The 6-1, 201-pounder, was released by Chicago at the end of July and was claimed by New England on Aug. 1. He played in 48 games during his college career and finished with 172 receptions for 2,429 yards and 23 touchdowns. Pitts projects as an athletic pass-catcher, capable of contributing as a situational game-day elevation.
Andrew Stueber — OL
Stueber has the distinction of being the Patriots’ final choice in the 2022 NFL Draft. The 6-6, 325-pound former Michigan Wolverine appeared in 34 games with 22 starts. He started 20 games at right tackle and two at right guard. In his final year as a Wolverine in 2021, he helped lead the offensive line with the fewest sacks allowed (10) and third-fewest tackles for loss (27) nationally. For his efforts, he was named first-team All-Big Ten by the media and was named a second-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association. Despite his struggles during the preseason, Stueber remains a developmental project and potential depth piece along the offensive line.
Calvin Munson - LB
Though he has been teetering on the roster bubble, Munson made a compelling case for the Patriots to retain his services heading into the regular season. He wrapped the night having compiled a team-high 10 tackles (one for loss) and showed great field awareness on his interception of Titans quarterback Malik Willis. The San Diego State product is hoping to extend his third tour of duty with the Pats, after being signed to the Pats scout team in October. He previously spent time on the New England practice squad in 2018 and 2019 and on the 53-man roster in 2021. Though Munson has been a special teams mainstay throughout his pro career, he seems to be aptly settling into a key reserve role within the Pats front seven.
Kody Russey — OL
Russey was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He was elevated to the active roster for their games against the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts, on October 30 and November 6, respectively, but did not play in either. Russey was signed to the active roster on November 8, and remained there the rest of the season, but was inactive for each game. Russey showed signs of being a capable reserve at both guard and center during camp, until suffering an injury late in the preseason. He would be welcomed retention via the practice squad. At 6-2, 292, the undrafted rookie has adequate size, as well the versatility to alight at guard or center.
Ty Montgomery — RB
During his usage during New England's offseason workout program, Montgomery appeared to be settling into a notable role on third-down, as well as a backfield receiver. He was also the logical choice as their third Z-receiver option [off the line of scrimmage] on select packages. Unfortunately, Montgomery suffered an undisclosed injury early in training camp, which kept him out of action for much of the preseason. Since that time, he has engaged only limited action in a pair of recent camp practices. Still, Montgomery has the skill set to play a prominent role in the Pats offense, as well as special teams when healthy. Should he be ready for Week 1, Montgomery should be the Pats' solution to their depth questions at running back.
Kevin Harris — RB
Though he performed well early in training camp, Harris' production has recently cooled a bit. However, he has shown an ability to contribute on early downs, as well as on goal-line stands. Despite spending the first five weeks of the 2022 season on the practice squad, Harris still saw action in five regular-season games. The South Carolina product compiled 52 yards on 18 carries and one touchdown in his rookie campaign in 2022. Measuring in at 5-10, 221 pounds, Harris is the type of straightforward power runner that can provide some short-yardage production. The Pats rookie is a reliable back with the talent to quickly develop into a solid rotational option in the Patriots backfield.
Matt Sokol — TE
Sokol spent the 2023 season on the New England practice squad and played in three games after being elevated to the active roster. Despite spending much of 2022 on the practice squad, Sokol is using his system knowledge to his advantage to enhance his skill set. In addition to blocking in select packages, Sokol is also making plays in the passing game — including some impressive contested catches, and athletic, diving grabs.
Pharaoh Brown — TE
Known primarily for his blocking, Brown was an undrafted free agent who signed with the Oakland Raiders following the 2017 NFL Draft Since that time, he has played for the Raiders (2017), Cleveland Browns (2018-2019), Houston Texans (2020-2022) and the Browns again (2022). During his first season with the Texans, Brown played under Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. In 55 career games as a pro, he caught 51 passes for 478 yards and two touchdowns. Last season with Cleveland, he suited up for 16 games, catching 12 passes for 117 yards. Brown spent training camp and preseason with the Indianapolis Colts.
Joe Giles-Harris — LB
After going undrafted in 2019, Giles-Harris signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a rookie free agent. He spent the next two seasons rotating between the practice squad and the Jags 53-man roster, playing in a total of 14 games for the franchise. Last season, Giles-Harris spent the majority of the season on the Buffalo Bills practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 9; finishing the game with one solo special teams tackle. He was released by Buffalo in January. Throughout his four-year career, he has played in 17 regular season games with three starts and has 26 total tackles and one sack.
Ronnie Perkins - LB
Perkins was the Patriots third-round selection (No. 96 overall) in the 2021 draft. However, he has yet to see the field for either regular season or playoff games. Perkins was inactive for most of his rookie year before moving to injured reserve. He also spent the entirety of his second season on IR. Despite his injury history, Perkins’ talent cannot be denied. At his best, the former Oklahoma Sooner is a disruptive run defender. He is also a relentless pass-rusher, with good burst and closing speed. Perkins can contribute by playing on the edge of the defensive line, while also pulling on his collegiate experience as a hand-in-the-dirt rusher.
James Ferentz - C
During his tenure in New England, Ferentz has appeared in 39 games for the organization, including nine starts. Last season, he was initially cut by the Patriots during the period in which they reduced their active roster to 53 members. he was quickly signed to New England’s practice squad, where he became one of the team’s primary reserve options. In 2022, he appeared in 12 games, making three starts. He was charged will allowing four pressures and two sacks, while taking 269 of New England’s offensive snaps. Despite his occasional struggles during camp, Ferentz’s experience and reliability make him a smart retention via the scout team.
