Overview

• On Aug. 12, New England signed undrafted rookie Shane Watts and waived running back Deneric Prince in a corresponding move.
• Watts, a 23-year-old Fort Hays State product, totaled 1,752 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024 after converting from defensive back.
• Prince, 25, entered the NFL as a 2023 undrafted free agent with the Chiefs and logged practice-squad stints and a spring UFL season before his brief Patriots stay.
• The Patriots’ backfield depth has been strained by injuries to Lan Larison, Rhamondre Stevenson and Terrell Jennings during practices ahead of joint sessions with the Vikings.
• Despite his upside on special teams, Watts faces the summer’s routine roster churn and could be vulnerable to a quick roster change.