The New England Patriots reinforced their defensive line after having the fewest sacks in the 2024-25 season with 28. Players include the likes of EDGE rusher Harold Landry III, defensive end Milton Williams and rookie Bradyn Swinson.
Pats Pulpit’s Brian Hines released his way-too-early final roster predictions and leaves out a five-year EDGE off the 53-man roster.
Hines predicts that Anfernee Jennings won’t make the final roster in the first season of the Mike Vrabel era.
“Keion White, Harold Landry, and K’Lavon Chaisson serving as New England’s top three edge rushers has been a staple throughout the spring. They have all looked disruptive as well, while the hope is rookie Bradyn Swinson adds his name into the rotation when the pads come on,” Hines wrote for Pats Pulpit.
“Anfernee Jennings is a tough cut, but the disruptive run defender appears on the outside looking in in a new defensive structure.”
Jennings registered 2.5 sacks and 78 total tackles in 16 games last season for the Patriots. Pro Football Focus gave Jennings a 73 run defense grade, ranking 24 out of 211 qualified EDGE rushers in the league.
Jennings Ready for Next Season
While final roster cuts are still a couple of months away, Anfernee Jennings is preparing for the first season under Mike Vrabel.
Jennings joined the Patriots Unfiltered podcast on June 10 and has mentioned that he is looking forward to next season.
“I feel great,” Jennings said. “A bit different defense that we have had since I’ve been here in the past. I’m looking forward to it. We built a lot of chemistry this offseason with the coaches and the players. Just looking forward to it.”
“The main thing: playing together, playing fast. That’s all that we really want to do.”
The EDGE rusher said that defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who isn’t at practice due to a health scare, is locked in as if he were present at spring training.
Could 25-26 Season Be His Last Season in New England
While Hines predicts Anfernee Jennings won’t make the roster come week one, Sports Illustrated’s Matthew Schmidt believes Jennings is entering a make-or-break season.
Here’s what he had to say:
“The Pats selected Anfernee Jennings in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft hoping he would bolster their pass rush, but instead, the former Alabama star has totaled just 5.5 sacks since entering the league… Heck, the 2.5 sacks he achieved in 2024 were a career high,” Schmidt wrote for SI. “Jennings has two years left on his deal, but the Patriots have an out after 2025.”
“With New England signing Harold Landry in free agency and nabbing Bradyn Swinson in the draft, Jennings’ days in Foxborough could be numbered if he doesn’t pick it up next fall.”
Anfernee Jennings is set to make a base salary of $1.85 million with New England this season.
