Within the final 30 years, no workforce has been higher at constantly digging up diamonds within the tough than the New England Patriots. Amid an offseason stuffed with change, the Patriots consider they’ve discovered a couple of extra hidden gems on their 2025 offseason roster.
The Patriots’ 2025 season will start a brand new period for the second consecutive 12 months. Jerod Mayo, Invoice Belichick’s preliminary successor, lasted only one 12 months on the job earlier than getting terminated. The group subsequently turned to Mike Vrabel, who returns to teaching from a semi-hiatus following his firing from the Tennessee Titans.
Since accepting the job, Vrabel has already begun the transitional course of. The Patriots signed a number of of his former gamers in free company, together with linebackers Harold Landry III and Jack Gibbens. Stefon Diggs, Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis III and Joshua Dobbs additionally joined the workforce within the offseason, including to the preseason hype.
Nevertheless, even with their profitable free company interval, the Patriots are nonetheless embracing a youth motion with Drake Maye on the helm. New England left the 2025 NFL Draft with a league-high 11 picks and continued the momentum with practically two dozen undrafted rookies. The workforce has plenty of reconstruction forward of it to get to the 52-man roster requirement, however a number of missed prospects are certain to have their moments.
WR Efton Chism III
Few five-year FCS merchandise ever make waves throughout the NFL Draft, however Efton Chism III is a participant Patriots followers are already enthusiastic about. Regardless of being seen as a possible sixth or seventh-round prospect, Chism went undrafted, however didn’t have to attend lengthy earlier than signing an offseason take care of New England. With many evaluating his body and talent set to former Patriots stars Wes Welker and Julian Edelman, there couldn’t have been many higher touchdown spots for the Jap Washington alum.
It took Chism a couple of years to seek out his rhythm at Jap Washington, which is a big a part of why he did not make most groups’ draft boards. Nevertheless, as soon as he did, Chism grabbed the Massive Sky Convention by the throat, racking up 1,311 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024. As soon as the ball was in his palms, his pace and agility had been virtually unfair for FCS-level defenders to maintain up with.
Given the stigma surrounding FCS gamers, Chism didn’t enter the Patriots’ 2025 offseason with a lot steam behind him. It didn’t take lengthy to vary that narrative, as he rapidly turned one of the mentioned gamers at New England’s rookie minicamp, earlier than sustaining that momentum in OTAs. Most of Chism’s work has include Dobbs, however Vrabel has already experimented with him working with the starters in 11-on-11 units.
Busy day from UDFA WR Efton Chism III with 4 catches in workforce drills (three from Joshua Dobbs).
Simple to see the quickness and alter of route capacity from an early apply drill. pic.twitter.com/BkmHtwaviq
— Brian Hines (@iambrianhines) Could 20, 2025
Nearly as good as he has been to date, there’s nonetheless quite a bit left for Chism to even make the Patriots’ last roster. He’s nonetheless solely 5-foot-11, and plenty of comparable gamers earlier than him made waves on social media solely to get reduce late within the course of. But when his early indicators are any indication, Chism is nicely on his approach to making the workforce and probably carving out a task on particular groups and as a depth receiver.
CB Kobee Minor
When the Patriots took Kobee Minor with the 257th decide of the 2025 NFL Draft, he was not completely happy to obtain the annual “Mr. Irrelevant” label. But, the cornerback has been open about how a lot he takes the undesired label personally and hopes to make use of that as motivation transferring ahead. To date, he has caught true to that sentiment.
A bodily cornerback who excels close to the road of scrimmage, Minor is a prototypical high-risk, high-reward participant. He lacks the pace to maintain up with NFL receivers in protection, however his physicality and aggressiveness permit him to probably make an affect in opposition to the run. His limitations make him extra of a nickelback than exterior cornerback, however that occurs to suit a gaping want the Patriots have.
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Although he managed simply 38 tackles in 2024, Minor accrued seven tackles for loss. He did not solidify himself as Memphis’ prime cornerback, however he visibly modified the defensive vitality at any time when he was on the sphere. Minor added two sacks, six go breakups and two pressured fumbles to his respectable stat line.
Other than his on-field performances, accidents and consistency are points with Minor. He spent plenty of his late profession coping with a number of lingering points. Minor additionally performed for 3 completely different colleges in his five-year profession. He started his profession at Texas Tech earlier than transferring to Indiana, and, lastly, Memphis. Whereas he began in every of his last three seasons, his lone 12 months as a Tiger was simply his finest.
With the Patriots signing Davis to pair with lockdown cornerback Christian Gonzalez, they seem set at cornerback in the meanwhile. Nevertheless, with Minor figuring to play within the slot greater than on the skin, he can instantly present depth on the place. New England has Marcus Jones projected to begin at nickelback, however not a lot depth behind him.
OLB Elijah Ponder
No Patriots offseason roster could be full with no former FCS star preventing for a roster spot. In 2025, that position goes to Efton Chism, however Cal Poly alum Elijah Ponder is a detailed second. After 4 years with the Mustangs, Ponder begins his skilled journey as arguably the very best participant in class historical past.
A four-time Massive Sky honoree, Ponder is Cal Poly’s all-time chief with 44 quarterback hurries. He’s additionally third all-time with 27 profession sacks. The data don’t seem spectacular for an FCS program, however the Mustangs have shockingly produced 20 NFL draft picks, together with two within the final 20 years.
There are definitely areas of enchancment in Ponder’s recreation, however his uncooked energy and burst stood out, even in opposition to his stage of competitors. Ponder is reportedly a fast learner, a trait that can solely profit him all through his profession. The sting-rusher obtained Vrabel’s approval throughout OTAs, with the coach taking time to talk with him individually after a number of stay units.
Ponder may not have been drafted, however he has been a participant scouts confirmed curiosity in for months. After turning heads on the typically missed East-West Shrine Bowl, opinions of him modified across the league. He’s nonetheless a transparent work in progress, however the Patriots are already excited to have him on their 2025 offseason roster.