Every Patriots Veteran Fighting for a Roster Spot (and Which Ones Can Help Their Chances)

FOXBORO --- We know that the Drake Mayes and the AJ Browns and the Hunter Henrys are going to be big parts of what the New England Patriots do this season. But there are plenty of other veterans currently on the roster that could help plug in some of the gaps.

But not all veterans are created equal, and some are trying to earn a role on a team that got younger and younger in recent seasons. From the additions of rookie offensive tackles to bringing in some young speed off the edge, the Patriots enjoyed quite the injection of youth in recent seasons.

Ahead of the Patriots' preseason matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles Saturday night, here are some veterans that are trying to win a job on the 53-man roster this season (and how a solid performance against the Eagles can help their chances).

RB Hassan Haskins

New England Patriots running back Hassan Haskins speaks to the media after Sunday's walkthrough practice. | Ethan Hurwitz / Patriots On SI

The Patriots originally went into camp with Terrell Jennings and Myles Montgomery competing for the third running back job alongside Lan Larison and Jam Miller. Both Jennings and Montgomery were placed on IR, leading the Patriots to bring in the free agent Haskins.

He has experience with Mike Vrabel, as he was a fourth round pick by the Tennessee Titans back in 2022. Haskins didn't get a large amount of snaps in the first game against the Indianapolis Colts, but repped ahead of Miller this past week. He's also gotten time on special teams, another way he can try and make the roster.

"Your attributes to special teams, I just always did it in college," Haskins told reporters earlier in camp. "So, it just always was built in me, and I feel like anywhere I can get on the field, I’m going to do it and do it to the best of my ability."

RB JaMycal Hasty

Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back JaMycal Hasty (39) warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Along with Haskins, the Patriots brought back Hasty -- who's spent parts of the last three seasons in New England. The versatile runner, who can also chip in on special teams, has made his mark in the NFL during his lengthy career.

But right now, he's the last running back up each day in practice. With a crowded room, Hasty will need a strong showing against Philadelphia and the Cleveland Browns to potentially earn a spot. In all liklihood, he's destined for the practice squad, if that.

TE Jack Westover

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Jack Westover (37) after the game against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Eli Raridon and Tanner Arkin are both rookie tight ends that have shot up the depth chart since coming to New England. On the other hand, Westover -- who converted to fullback last year and stuck around all season -- hasn't gotten the same reps you think he might have.

He's also not getting nearly enough chances at fullback because the veteran Reggie Gilliam has that spot already claimed. Westover needs to start carving out more of a role in the passing game to stick around.

DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr.

Jun 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98) walks to the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

If there's one player on this roster thar deserves praise for sticking through the mayhem that was the last few seasons, it's Pharms. He's been with the team during their four-win seasons and their trip to the Super Bowl, but finds himself on the outside looking in on the defensive line.

The Patriots have a loaded front with Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, Leonard Taylor III, Joshua Farmer and Eric Gregory all deserving of spots. Pharms did have a forced fumble against the Colts at the goal line (one of four Patriots takeaways), but he's still a bit away from writing his name into that aforementioned group.

DT Isaiah Iton

Aug 13, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Isaiah Iton (62) warms up before a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Iton had a strong training camp last year before getting injured and not earning a second contract in the offseason. But the Patriots decided to bring him back for a reunion this year, and he's in a similar boat as Pharms.

His size (6-foot-3, 300 pounds) helps him as an interior linemen, but like Pharms, he's really stuck behind most of the players already with larger roles. He recovered a fumble in the Colts game and played 24 defensive snaps, but is caught up in a numbers game right now.

CB Marcellas Dial Jr.

Aug 15, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Ainias Smith (82) makes a catch for an extra point against New England Patriots cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. (27) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Dial's rookie season as a cornerback and gunner in 2024 was great, and he seemed destined for more chances in 2025. But he tore his ACL last training camp and missed all of Vrabel's first season at the helm. To replace his role, the Patriots claimed Charles Woods off of waivers -- who's now turned into the team's fourth cornerback.

Right now, Dial's best shot to make the roster comes down to if safety and special teams captain Brenden Schooler can't go Week 1. Schooler has been on the non-football injury list since training camp began with an undisclosed injury, and could leave the door ajar for Dial to sneak in.

S Mike Brown

Aug 13, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots safety Mike Brown (33) makes a catch before a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Patriots signed Brown to a free agent contract this offseason, and he opened up the summer as the third safety.

"(The Patriots will) outwork everybody, smart, physical, do the little things right," Brown said earlier in the offseason on why he wanted to sign with the team. "I would say Mike Vrabel played a huge part in that. Been around him before, so I know what kind of coach I'mma get ... I wanted to be a part of that again."

After a strong spring both on defense and special teams, Brown's spot on the team looked like a near-lock. Since camp opened up, both Dell Pettus and John Saunders Jr. have impressed, potentially making Brown (who played deep into the fourth quarter against Indianapolis) a roster casualty.

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