The Patriots roster is, at least for now, at 51 players, leaving them room to add two more players via the wavier system, free agency or even a trade.
Let's take a look at how the current 51 were originally acquired by the team.
Draft picks (29)
First-rounders (7): LB Dont'a Hightower, DE Chandler Jones, G Logan Mankins, LB Jerod Mayo, S Devin McCourty, OT Nate Solder, NT Vince Wilfork
Second-rounders (7): LB Jamie Collins, WR Aaron Dobson, TE Rob Gronkowski, LB Brandon Spikes, RB Shane Vereen, OT Sebastian Vollmer, S Tavon Wilson
Third-rounders (5): DE Jake Bequette, S Duron Harmon, QB Ryan Mallett, RB Stevan Ridley, CB Logan Ryan,
Fourth-rounders (2): WR Josh Boyce, K Stephen Gostkowski
Fifth-rounders (2): OL Marcus Cannon, WR Matthew Slater
Sixth-rounders (2): QB Tom Brady, S Nate Ebner
Seventh-rounders (4): LB Steve Beauharnais, DE Michael Buchanan, CB Alfonzo Dennard, WR Julian Edelman
College free agents (9)
LS Danny Aiken
OL Josh Kline
TE Zach Sudfeld
DT Joe Vellano
Free agency/waiver claims (11)
OL Dan Connolly
DT Tommy Kelly
OL Will Svitek
Trades (2)
CB Aqib Talib