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Patriots Cut Preseason Standout Despite Huge Performance In Finale
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- Patriots Cut Preseason Standout Despite Huge Performance In Finale
Patriots Cut Preseason Standout Despite Huge Performance In Finale originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Kyle Dixon made one final, convincing argument for a place on the New England Patriots ' roster Thursday night.
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It was not enough to survive the team's first wave of cuts.
The Patriots informed Dixon of his release Saturday, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss , ending the undrafted rookie's initial bid to earn a place on New England 's 53-man roster.
The decision came two days after Dixon led the Patriots with eight receptions for 71 yards in their 37-13 preseason loss to the Cleveland Browns . He caught all eight of his targets, produced four first downs and recorded a long reception of 19 yards.
Dixon appeared in two preseason games and finished with 10 catches on 10 targets for 81 yards.
That perfect catch rate and productive finale made Dixon one of New England's most interesting players on the roster bubble. It also may have complicated the Patriots' hopes of bringing him back.
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Kyle Dixon Could Still Return To Patriots
Dixon must pass through waivers before New England can sign him to its practice squad. Any of the NFL's other 31 teams can submit a claim for the 25-year-old receiver.
Reiss reported there is a "strong likelihood" that Dixon will return to the Patriots' practice squad if he clears waivers.
His performance against Cleveland gave other teams fresh evidence to evaluate.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound receiver signed with New England after an unusual journey to the NFL. Dixon began his college athletic career as a baseball pitcher before transitioning to football at Culver-Stockton College.
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He caught 143 passes for 2,394 yards and 24 touchdowns across two seasons at the NAIA program. Dixon finished his college career with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, including 83 receptions for 1,282 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025.
New England showed significant belief in Dixon after the draft.
The Patriots reportedly gave him $252,500 in guarantees as part of his three-year undrafted free-agent contract. That was one of the franchise's largest guaranteed packages for an undrafted rookie and reportedly the biggest ever given to an NAIA player.
MORE: Mike Vrabel's Parting Words For Ex-Patriots Receiver Were Brutally Honest
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Crowded Receiver Room Works Against Dixon
Dixon's release had more to do with New England's crowded depth chart than a lack of preseason production.
The Patriots added A.J. Brown through a blockbuster trade and signed Romeo Doubs in free agency. DeMario Douglas , Mack Hollins , Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III also entered the final roster decisions with stronger cases. Williams scored a touchdown in all three preseason games, while Chism has established himself as a developmental receiver and return specialist.
New England created additional space by trading Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans , but that move still did not provide enough room for Dixon. Dixon gave the Patriots exactly what they wanted in the preseason finale. He stayed available for his quarterbacks, caught everything thrown his way and finished as the team's most productive receiver.
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His reward may still be a spot on New England's practice squad. First, however, the Patriots must hope Dixon's impressive final audition did not persuade another team to claim him.
