Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Tennessee QB Joe Milton's path to making Patriots' 53-man roster just got a little easier

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated 5/6/24

Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round (No. 193 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft.

But just because Milton was drafted by the Patriots doesn't guarantee that the former Vol will make New England's 53-man roster this fall.

Late round draft picks always face an uphill battle to make a team's 53-man roster as a rookie.

Milton's path to making New England's 53-man roster, however, got a little easier on Monday morning.

After the 2024 NFL Draft, the Patriots had five quarterbacks on their roster -- Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Bailey Zappe, Nathan Rourke, and Joe Milton.

According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, the Patriots released Rourke on Monday, leaving just four quarterbacks on New England's roster.

The Patriots informed QB Nathan Rourke that he is being waived, per sources.

This thins the QB room to 4 -- Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Bailey Zappe and Joe Milton.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 6, 2024

Maye, the Patriots' first round selection in last month's draft, along with Brissett, a veteran quarterback who has 48 career starts under his belt, are essentially "locks" to make New England's 53-man roster.

That means that Milton is likely battling Zappe (for now) for the No. 3 spot on the Patriots' depth chart.

Zappe was a fourth round selection by the Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Western Kentucky standout has started eight games for New England over the last two seasons, going 4-4 in those starts.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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