Anfernee Jennings embraced Vrabel's four-down front after years in a 3-4, adapting to new calls, coaching, and teammates amid offseason trade chatter. He stayed patient, played with grit, and kept his focus on the task at hand.

Three preseason sacks against Minnesota validated the plan and helped him lock in a spot on the 53-man roster. With New England's D-line rotating, Jennings could see more rush snaps as the season unfolds, making him a riser for IDP managers who chase pass rush upside.

New England completed its 53-man roster cuts and ducked into a light week of practice behind Gillette Stadium. Christian Gonzalez sat with a hamstring issue, while Efton Chism, Anfernee Jennings and Jack Gibbens returned to action after minor ailments. Kendrick Bourne was released, Javon Baker waived, and Tommy DeVito plus Charles Woods were claimed off waivers to reconstitute the 53. The club also announced 16 signings to its practice squad as it eyes the Las Vegas opener.

With the 53-man slate finalized, New England will use the upcoming days to prepare for the season debut against the Raiders on Sept. 7. The practice squad additions fuel depth for Week 1, while the health status of Gonzalez will be watched closely for a cornerback group that could shape fantasy lineups.

The Patriots staged roster cuts with Terrell Jennings and Gee Scott Jr. released, signaling a three-man backfield behind Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, and TreVeyon Henderson as final 53-man decisions loom. Jennings showed preseason buzz but lands on the waiver/practice squad path, while Scott Jr. impressed in camp but didn’t crack the initial roster. NE’s WR and TE depth remains fluid, with Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne, and the TE duo of Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper in the mix, plus Dippre and Westover breathing down the floor as potential practice-squad options.

Fantasy implications point to Stevenson maintaining clear RB1 status, Gibson likely handling a sizeable role as a veteran back, and Henderson operating as a change-of-pace option. Henry and Hooper anchor the tight end group, with Dippre/Westover possible future contributors. The Pats still have eight moves to finalize before the 4 p.m. deadline, making watchlists essential for late adds and potential waiver-week drops.

The NFL’s 53-man cut deadline is looming, and a slate of notable players across multiple teams could be on the chopping block. Among the most consequential are Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker and Kendrick Bourne from New England, headlined by Polk as a second-year option whose path to the active roster is not guaranteed despite draft investments. Kyle Dugger and Anfernee Jennings also stand in the Patriots’ crosshairs, tied to cost and schematic fit as New England reshapes under a new voice.

Washington’s Brian Robinson Jr. faces questions about a changing backfield, while Kansas City’s Skyy Moore and Baltimore’s David Ojabo appear on the radar as teams balance talent with cap and role clarity. The Jets’ Malachi Corley and the Saints’ Isaiah Foskey are listed as potential cuts that could redraw depth charts, with Beanie Bishop Jr. and DeMarvin Leal representing Pittsburgh’s cost/fit calculus on defense.

Outside the Patriots, those moves echo across the league: veteran certainty versus cost and scheme fit, undrafted rookies stepping up, and the ripple effects on Week 1 roles. The piece underscores that even bigger names can be vulnerable when coaches recalibrate rosters to maximize versatility, speed, and special-teams value in August rhythms.

For fantasy managers, the takeaway is clear: late-August roster churn can create or erase sleeper windows. Depth charts can flip quickly at WR, LB and edge spots as teams finalize rosters, so stay nimble on waiver wires and be ready to pivot as cuts and claims unfold.