New England Patriots Make Series of Roster Moves Ahead of Training Camp

Prior to training camp, New England Patriots make some roster changes

#Patriots roster moves:

—signed veteran DB Eddie Pleasant and first-year G Nate Theaker

—released WR Cody Hollister#WBZ

— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) July 24, 2018

On July 23, the team released defensive back David Jones and signed former wide receiver Devin Lucien, who spent his rookie season in 2016 on the team’s practice squad. On July 24, the team signed Eddie Pleasant, strong safety for the Houston Texans, and Nate Theaker, a guard from the New Orleans Saints practice squad. Additionally, the team released wide receiver Cody Hollister – twin brother of potential hit tight end Jacob Hollister.

If you see a trend in these transactions, you’re not alone. The team dumped a wide receiver and defensive back and picked up a wide receiver and defensive back within two days. The exchange between Hollister and Lucien is uninspiring, but not surprising. Neither player has seen action beyond the practice squad, and no one is (or was) expecting much out of them. Even with rumors of Malcolm Mitchell being shopped around for a trade, the receiving unit is still stacked. Lucien likely won’t make the final roster, and he’ll be relegated to the practice squad once again.

The defensive back movements are a little more of an upgrade, but only just so. Pleasant spent six years as an active participant on the Texans roster, where he recorded three interceptions and 17 pass deflections. Like Lucien, we don’t see Pleasant as much more than an eventual practice squad addition. The Patriots safety lineup – featuring names such as Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, and Duron Harmon – is fairly solid. He may manage to wiggle his way into the second or third string, but that would be a surprise.

The addition of practice squad guard Nate Theaker is uninspiring. The depth and talent of our offensive line actually gives us high hopes for the upcoming season. Unfortunately for Theaker, that means his presence is unlikely to be felt for very long…if at all.

Low Expectations

Hollister’s time was coming with or without the addition of Lucien. Unlike his brother Jacob, who has the potential to become one of the team’s start tight ends this year behind Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen, Cody never really got his chance to shine.

Like Hollister, Jones has spent his time on the team’s practice squad, waiting for his day to come. Pleasant could make for an interesting watch during training and, potentially, the preseason, but he’s got plenty of high-caliber competition.

All things considered, there’s not a whole lot to see here. These are lateral transactions meant to diversify the Patriots potential practice squad and pool of backups – nothing more, nothing less.