Patriots fill their open roster spot by signing guard J.J. Dielman

When the New England Patriots took the practice fields earlier today to hold their second session of this year’s training camp, a mystery player wearing a white jersey with the number 63 was among them. The offensive lineman was not identified at the time, but we now know who he is: third-year guard J.J. Dielman, who will fill the Patriots’ final roster spot that was vacated due to the retirement of fellow offensive lineman Brian Schwenke.

Dielman originally entered the NFL in 2017 out of the University of Utah. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as a free agent but did not find a permanent home there. After his release during roster cutdowns, he moved on to the Los Angeles Rams, re-joined the Bengals and finally ended up with the Denver Broncos. Early in 2018, Denver moved on from Dielman and he went on to join the Seattle Seahawks and the Rams again.

Now, the 25-year-old has found a new home as a depth interior offensive lineman in New England. Given his prior career and the depth the reigning world champions have at their guard and center spots, however, it would be a surprise if Dielman’s tenure with the team extended beyond cutdown day on August 31. While he could theoretically surprise, it seems more probable than not that the 6-foot-5, 310-pound guard is little more than a camp body.