3 cut candidates on Patriots roster ahead of NFL training camp
The New England Patriots are embarking on one of the biggest rebuilds in the NFL this year. However, just because the team has plenty of areas in which they are forced to start over with young talent does not mean that veterans are an automatic shoo-in. At this point, the entire offensive side of the ball appears to be a fluid situation.
Here's a look at three players that could be jobless by the end of August.
3 cut candidates on Patriots roster ahead of NFL training camp
Candidate 1: Jalen Reagor
At one point, Reagor was touted as a solution for the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he has fallen flat in his first four seasons. Reagor has yet to cross the 400-yard mark in the NFL and hasn't crossed 300 yards since 2020. At this point, one more disappointing performance could be his last with the team.
Kendrick Bourne currently appears to be the frontrunner to be the number-one receiver for the team this season. However, he hasn't gained 800 yards in a season since 2021. Reagor has everything laid out in front of him with a clear opportunity to steal the show, but he needs to embrace it.
Candidate 2: JuJu Smith-Schuster
Antonio Brown's former one-time successor is in a difficult spot. Similar to Reagor, he has seen his production fall short of expectations multiple times over the last several years. As such, the wide receiver could also be staring at the end of his time with the Patriots.
At just 27 years old, there should theoretically be at least a few years left for the former Steelers receiver. However, he has failed to win over any of the teams he has played with over the long haul.
Candidate 3: Joe Milton III
Joe Milton III was drafted in the sixth round of this year's draft by the New England Patriots. While he has something in common with Tom Brady in that regard, Milton has a long road to winning a job with the team.
At this point, Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett appear safe. That said, there are four quarterbacks and likely only three spots available. This sets up a competition between Milton and Bailey Zappe, who appear to be in third place at the start of training camp.
Zappe has the advantage of experience. The quarterback has shown flashes at times in the past and should already be familiar with Jerod Mayo's Patriots-sourced style. As such, Milton needs to learn a system at a higher level than Zappe in about a month or he could be forced on a train out of Foxborough.