To clear space on the roster, the Patriots released rookie free agent Cole Birdow, a tackle out of Merrimack. But Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf, and company are making it clear that roster spots remain up for grabs, and players who sign now will have a shot to earn a place on the team in training camp.
Who is Isaiash Iton?
![Mark Daniels] According to multiple sources, the Patriots are signing defensive tackle Isaiah Iton and offensive guard Mehki Butler. They'll have to make a corresponding roster move because that put their roster](https://external-preview.redd.it/mark-daniels-according-to-multiple-sources-the-patriots-are-v0-t4t4fVlJHL-7I46mMNpiFV1iEHChh6gZyzwE-hAfLdM.jpeg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=6173ac59a684e8260ae1d10cdb1e598c71adccc8)
Iton, 23, is a 6-foot-2 defensive tackle who spent last season with the Tennessee Titans. He was signed as an undrafted free-agent out of Rutgers, and ended up on the Tennessee practice squad after he was cut at the end of training camp. With the Titans, Iton worked with Patriots director of pro scouting A.J. Highsmith, who was the director of scouting in Tennessee last season.
After starting his college days at Northern Colorado and Hutchinson Community College, Iton played for Ole Miss (2021-22) and Rutgers (2023). He started 13 games for Rutgers as a senior, when he tallied 38 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.
Who is Mehki Butler?
Butler is a 6-foot-3, 320-pound left guard who started the last three seasons for Arkansas State. He was the top-ranked guard in the Sun Belt Conference last season, and will get to compete for a job at the NFL level in training camp.
Layden Robinson and Cole Strange are expected to battle for New England’s starting left guard spot this summer, with veteran Wes Schweitzer, UDFA Jack Conley, and Butler set to battle for a depth spot. But anyone from that group could potentially emerge as New England’s starter by the time the season arrives.
Who is Wilfried Pene?
A four-year player at Virginia Tech, Pene played in 34 games for the Hokies and tallied 63 total tackles with 4 sacks. A native of Tours, France, Pene stands at 6-foot-2 and 283 pounds.
Patriots UDFAs
New England also announced the following undrafted free-agent signings last week, a class that Birdow was a part of: WR Demeer Blankumsee, WR Efton Chism III, G Jack Conley, CB Brandon Crossley, TE C.J. Dippre, FB Brock Lampe, RB Lan Larison, S Josh Minkins, CB Jordan Polk, LB Elijah Ponder, LB Cam Riley, DT Jahvaree Ritzie, TE Gee Scott Jr., WR Jeremiah Webb, and QB Ben Wooldridge.
Mix in the 11 players the team selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, and there will be a lot of young players competing for roster sports in New England come training camp.
