Patriots Trim Roster To 53 Players

The Patriots cut down their roster to 53 players today. In the process, they let go of a handful of recent draft picks, including a 2022 selection:

Released:

• DB Justin Bethel
• OL James Ferentz
• LB Harvey Langi
• CB Terrance Mitchell

Waived:

• TE Devin Asiasi
• OL Yasir Durant
• OL Drew Desjarlais
• OL Arlington Hambright
• WR Josh Hammond
• RB Kevin Harris
• DB Brad Hawkins
• WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
• LB Cameron McGrone
• OL Bill Murray
• WR Tre Nixon
• DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
• DL LaBryan Ray
• OL Kody Russey
• G William Sherman
• TE Matt Sokol
• RB J.J. Taylor
• K Tristan Vizcaino
• LB Nate Wieland
• TE Jalen Wydermyer

Placed on IR:

• DL Henry Anderson
• WR Kristian Wilkerson

The Patriots acknowledged some of their previous draft mistakes today. The team let go of three 2021 draft picks in wide receiver Tre Nixon, linebacker Will Sherman, and linebacker Cameron McGrone, and they even let go of a 2022 draft pick in sixth-round running back Kevin Harris. However, perhaps the biggest move was releasing tight end end Devin Asiasi. After waiving fellow 2020 third-round tight end Dalton Keene earlier this month, Asiasi was let go today. Despite his third-round status, Asiasi only saw time in 10 games for the Patriots in two years. With Asiasi and Keene out of the picture, it was expected that Lil’Jordan Humphrey would make the squad as a hybrid WR/TE. However, for the time being, the Patriots will roll with only two tight ends in Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith.

Terrance Mitchell started 29 games over the past two seasons in stints with the Browns and Texans, and he had a chance to compete for a starting gig in New England. However, despite all the uncertainty surrounding the position, the veteran wasn’t able to make his mark, leading to a surprising release. Justin Bethel is another surprising cut, as the veteran has established himself as a special teams ace in recent years.