The Patriots open the 2026 season tonight at Seattle with Drake Maye under center, A.J. Brown as the new No. 1 receiver and a defensive front built around two of the biggest contracts on the roster. Here is how the lineup shapes up on both sides of the ball, with the caveats that matter before kickoff.
Offense
| Position | Starter | Behind him |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Drake Maye (10) | Tommy DeVito, Behren Morton |
| RB | Rhamondre Stevenson (38) | Corey Kiner. TreVeyon Henderson is out with an ankle injury |
| WR | A.J. Brown (1) | Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams |
| WR | Romeo Doubs (87) | Efton Chism III |
| Slot WR | DeMario Douglas (3) | Kyle Williams |
| TE | Hunter Henry (85) | Eli Raridon, Tanner Arkin, Cameron Latu |
| LT | Will Campbell (66) | Caleb Lomu |
| LG | Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) | Greg Van Roten |
| C | Jared Wilson (55) | Ben Brown, who was limited with a knee issue |
| RG | Mike Onwenu (71) | Greg Van Roten |
| RT | Morgan Moses (76) | Caleb Lomu, Dametrious Crownover |
The headline change is at receiver. A.J. Brown arrived in a June trade with Philadelphia and gives Maye the traditional No. 1 target the offense did not have last season, with Romeo Doubs added alongside him. Josh McDaniels is back calling plays.
The other thing to watch is the backfield. TreVeyon Henderson, who put up 1,132 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, has not practiced since slipping on August 24 and is out. That leaves Rhamondre Stevenson as the clear lead back with Corey Kiner, acquired from Arizona in late August, as the only other running back on the 53. Full detail is on our Patriots RB depth chart.
Defense
| Position | Starter | Behind him |
|---|---|---|
| DT | Milton Williams (97) | Cory Durden |
| DT | Christian Barmore (90) | Joshua Farmer, Leonard Taylor III |
| EDGE | Dre’Mont Jones (5) | Quintayvious Hutchins |
| EDGE | Elijah Ponder (91) or Gabe Jacas (50) | Unsettled with Harold Landry on PUP |
| LB | Robert Spillane (14) | Chad Muma |
| LB | Christian Elliss (53) | Amari Gainer |
| CB | Christian Gonzalez (0) | Kobee Minor |
| CB | Carlton Davis III (7) | Charles Woods |
| Slot CB | Marcus Jones (25) | Marcellas Dial Jr. |
| S | Kevin Byard (31) | Dell Pettus |
| S | Craig Woodson | John Saunders Jr. |
Milton Williams and Christian Barmore are the two highest paid defensive players on the roster and the anchors inside. The question mark is on the edge. Harold Landry III, a captain last season and the team’s most productive pass rusher, opens the year on the physically unable to perform list, which leaves Dre’Mont Jones as the primary rusher and the second spot open.
The back end is the strength, and it just got expensive. Christian Gonzalez signed a four year, $135 million extension on Tuesday with $102 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid cornerback in NFL history and the highest paid player in franchise history. He and Carlton Davis III are a legitimate outside pairing, Marcus Jones handles the slot and also returns punts, and Kevin Byard arrived as a free agent after playing nearly every defensive snap in Chicago last year. Craig Woodson played 93 percent of New England’s defensive snaps in 2025.
Special Teams
Andy Borregales handles kicking and Julian Ashby is the long snapper. Punter Bryce Baringer is on injured reserve, so veteran Mitch Wishnowsky is expected to be elevated from the practice squad to punt. Marcus Jones returns punts, a job he turned into Second Team All-Pro honors and two return touchdowns last season. Core special teamer Brenden Schooler opens the year on the non-football injury list.
Who Is Not Available
- TreVeyon Henderson, RB. Ankle. Has not practiced since August 24 and did not participate in any of the final three practices.
- Harold Landry III, EDGE. On PUP to open the season.
- Brenden Schooler, S and special teams. On the non-football injury list.
- Ben Brown, C. Knee. Ruled out after missing all three practices.
- Bryce Baringer, P. On injured reserve. Mitch Wishnowsky is the expected practice squad elevation to punt.
- Christian Barmore, DT. Knee. Did not practice all week and was not ruled out, so his status is worth watching in the inactives.
One note on how to read any depth chart in September: the only official version of the lineup is the inactives list, which comes out 90 minutes before kickoff. Everything above is a projection based on the 53 man roster, practice reports and the team’s own unofficial chart.
Related
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The Bottom Line
Maye, Brown and a rebuilt offensive line front the offense. Milton Williams, Gonzalez and Byard front the defense. The one genuine hole is opposite Dre’Mont Jones on the edge with Landry on PUP, and the backfield is thinner than planned with Henderson out. Check the inactives 90 minutes before kickoff for the official word.