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Seventh-Round Pick Hutchins Might Be the Biggest Surprise on Patriots Roster
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- Seventh-Round Pick Hutchins Might Be the Biggest Surprise on Patriots Roster
With one week until the New England Patriots season opener next Wednesday in Seattle , Quintayvious Hutchins has to be considered the biggest surprise on the 53-man roster.
The rookie edge rusher out of Boston College basically found a way to beat out Bradyn Swinson for the final edge-rushing spot on the team.
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Beating the roster odds
Swinson had drawn rave reviews from head coach Mike Vrabel through the offseason workouts. But when the pads went on in late July into August, it was the seventh-round draft pick Hutchins (247thoverall) that survived.
Hutchins had nine tackles for loss in his last two years at BC, with 5.5 sacks. So how did he earn the spot with the Patriots?
Special teams.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to reportersMark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
"I think (Hutchins) continued to be coachable. I think that was something that he really improved on, was to take the coaching and to understand where he needed to improve," said Vrabel. "I think that just looking at special teams, I think that was something that he improved at. To be a rookie playing on the punt team, to go down there, make a nice tackle in open field and cover kicks.
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"I think it was eye-opening for some of these guys, on special teams, from practices to the first game. I think that's the best thing that I could say is that they got better through each of those games."
An injury or two from a regular role
With Harold Landry still hurt, Hutchins assumes he fourth edge rusher spot on the depth chart behind Dre'Mont Jones, Elijah Ponder and fellow rookie Gabe Jacas .
Hutchins, when he spoke on Tuesday, was fired up and ready to go, with eyes on a spot on the active 45-man roster for opening night.
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"I think you always have to have a chip on your shoulder and next take anything for granted. I just feel like I had to come in and prove a point and work," he said. "I'm local so it feels good to stay around the New England area and to be around great players."
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
