On Aug. 24, the New England Patriots signed first-year offensive lineman Jack Conley and veteran punter Matt Haack, and released rookie cornerback Kenneth Harris and rookie wide receiver Kobe Prentice. The team announced the moves Monday morning. The transaction is a net-zero swap in roster numbers, but it is not neutral on the field.
Conley fits as an interior line project. The Patriots have rotated backups across all three inside spots this preseason, and Conley offers another body with positional flexibility. He will need to beat out two or three similar players to survive the next cut.
Haack is the addition that changes the special teams calculus. Teams do not sign a veteran punter in August unless they are dissatisfied with the incumbent. Haack brings a proven leg and a direct challenge to the punter already in camp. His arrival signals that the job is open.
Harris and Prentice were undrafted rookies who did not do enough in the first two preseason games. Their releases open two spots and trim the bottom of the roster.
The next roster reduction is coming. Conley has to prove he can anchor in pass protection. Haack has to show he is clearly better than the option the Patriots had. One of these signings is a flier; the other is a fix. Haack is the one who sticks. Watch the punter battle in the preseason finale.