Eric Gregory

Last Sunday, we took a look at some under-the-radar Patriots on the offensive side of the ball who were fighting for roster spots but who also showed potential to be impact players in New England. The Patriots have a history of uncovering such diamonds in the rough, with Rob Ninkovich and current head coach Mike Vrabel serving as key examples.

We’ve already seen reports of one player attempting to outplay his contract. Free agent addition Mike Brown was recently designated the favorite to win the No. 3 safety role in New England. In an effort to find similar overachievers, ESPN’s Mike Reiss noted linebacker Chad Muma, defensive tackle Eric Gregory, and outside linebacker Xavier Holmes as notable candidates.

This isn’t the first time expectations have been placed on Muma. Originally a third-round pick for the Jaguars in 2022, Muma failed to establish anything more than a rotational role through three years in Jacksonville, and in the final year of his rookie contract, he failed to make the team’s initial 53-man roster. Muma was claimed off waivers by the Colts then waived after five game appearances and signed to the practice squad. The Patriots signed Muma off the Colts’ taxi squad midway through December.

Muma’s role last year for the Patriots was as a core special teamer who rotated in on defense in the regular season but didn’t see as much time in the playoffs. That special teams usage will likely give Muma a leg up on landing a roster spot, and with Jack Gibbens and Jahlani Tavai not returning to the defense in 2026, there should be an opportunity for Muma to carve out a bigger role on defense. His competition for playing time includes veteran K.J. Britt, rookie fifth-rounder Namdi Obiazor, Otis Reese, and Amari Gainer.

Gregory was an undrafted free agent last year who initially signed with the Bengals before getting claimed by the Patriots off the waiver wire. He didn’t find his way to the field until the last seven weeks of the season, but once he did, he featured pretty significantly in New England’s defensive line rotation before ultimately finding his way to injured reserve.

Reiss believes that, with the departure of Khyiris Tonga to Kansas City in free agency, Gregory could have a chance to expand on that role in Year 2. Cory Durden seems likely to take the starting position in the middle, but Gregory should be next in line with only undrafted rookies David Blay Jr. and Travis Shaw behind him.

Holmes is an intriguing, young rookie that went undrafted out of James Madison. He wasn’t part of the team’s initial UDFA class, but he earned a contract offer after being invited to a tryout in May. Rookie Gabe Jacas is the only second-round pick who has yet to sign his contract and he’s missed the whole spring after undergoing a knee procedure. He seems like a long-shot to make the final roster, but he’s impressed outside linebackers coach Mike Smith, who called Holmes “a bigger guy that can move” with more athletic ability than people might think.