5 potential surprise roster cuts for Patriots: Two rookies in danger

With training camp and the preseason in the rearview, the New England Patriots' coaching staff will now focus on the arduous task of cutting the roster down to 53 players ahead of Sunday's 6:00 p.m. ET deadline.

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel wasn't too pleased with the team's disappointing performance in Thursday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns. When speaking with media members after the game, a clearly frustrated Vrabel briefly touched on the process at hand.

"Not good enough. Couldn't match the speed of the quarterback and zone read and some of those things. But we'll get back to work and figure out who we're going to get back to work with," Vrabel told reporters.

Yikes.

There's usually a surprise roster cut or two every year. Depth is a major issue for the Patriots ahead of the 2026 season, and they'll have to make their decisions with that in mind. Let's take a look at five potential surprise roster cuts for the Patriots ahead of Sunday's deadline.

There was a point when Chad Muma was viewed as the likely No. 3 linebacker option behind Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss. However, things have changed in recent weeks with the veteran sliding back down the depth chart at the position. Muma's level of play has regressed, and other defenders, including rookie Namdi Obiazor and K.J. Britt, have come on as of late.

Rookie Jam Miller showed off some hard running in the preseason, but no running back, outside of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, has really stood out in training camp or preseason football. Miller could draw interest from another team, but if not, he would be an immediate candidate to join the Patriots' practice squad.

I have the Patriots keeping Bradyn Swinson on my 53-man roster projection after the preseason finale. However, he was one of the surprise cuts ahead of the season last year, and he hasn't really done much to stand out as a roster lock. The Patriots could still add veteran help on the edge so they aren't boxed in with an unproven group, spearheaded by Dre'Mont Jones and Elijah Ponder. Swinson is an improving player who still needs time to develop.

John Saunders Jr. was an interception machine during the joint practice sessions. He would have a better shot at making the team if they hadn't traded Kayshon Boutte for a draft pick and former Houston Texans safety Jaylen Reed. Unfortunately for Saunders, Reed is a lock considering who the Patriots traded away to get him. It also didn't help matters that Saunders struggled in Thursday's preseason finale.

Like Swinson, I have rookie quarterback Behren Morton making my final 53-man roster. But there is a chance that he gets the axe after turning the ball over three times to the Browns. Only two of his interceptions show up on the stat sheet. The other was wiped off thanks to a defensive pass interference call on a Browns defender. With that said, Morton was only one week removed from leading the team on a 73-yard game-winning drive against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 5 potential surprise roster cuts for Patriots: Two rookies in danger