6 Patriots Who Could Be Cut Before Playing a Snap

3. Steele Chambers, Linebacker

Steele Chambers might be the perfect name for a linebacker — and he had a solid career with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Chambers started as a running back and had 221 yards and a touchdown in two seasons. He then converted to linebacker, which is where he stayed for the next three years of his collegiate career. He saw his numbers increase each season and finished with 208 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, three sacks, and four interceptions.

Despite his performance, he was seen as a late-round pick at best. His size was an issue (6-foot-1, 226 pounds) and he often struggled due to a lack of arm length ( 30.5 inches at the Combine). In the end, those concerns led to him being undrafted. Chambers then signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent but was waived on June 10.

New England claimed him and he now has a shot to make it with the Patriots. However, it won't be easy for him to land a spot on the 53-man roster.

The Patriots' defense has one linebacker who lines up as a pass rusher on the weak side, which will be Matthew Judon. In the middle, they have Ja'Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai is the SAM linebacker. Backups include Raekwon McMillian, Sione Takitaki (an underrated free agent addition), Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris, and then finally, Chambers.

That's a lot of talent he would have to surpass to make it to the roster which is why he could wind up being let go before the season begins.