Examining the roster ties between Patriots, Broncos ahead of Week 6

For some Denver Broncos players, the visit to Gillette Stadium will be a revisit.

Five of whom were once members of the New England Patriots, in capacities ranging from the offseason roster to the midseason practice squad to the postseason active 53.

But the New England side also includes familiarity beyond head coach Bill Belichick, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch.

Here’s a glance through the list of ex-Patriots and ex-Broncos heading into Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET rescheduled kickoff.

DENVER

Andrew Beck, tight end – Beck garnered $115,000 guaranteed between his signing bonus and base salary to lead New England’s 2019 undrafted class. The tight end and fullback by way of the Texas Longhorns would be waived on Labor Day weekend following his rookie preseason. Denver claimed Beck two days later. Beck went on to appear in every game for the Broncos last campaign. He’s done the same through the initial month of this campaign. The 24-year-old stands with nine receptions for 90 yards and one touchdown on his NFL résumé. In addition, Beck has logged one rushing attempt for three yards and one passing attempt for six yards.

Calvin Anderson, offensive tackle – A teammate of Beck’s at Texas, Anderson also agreed to terms with New England as an undrafted free agent in 2019. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound tackle was waived that May and claimed off the wire by the New York Jets. Anderson, 24, began his first regular season on the New York practice squad before joining the Denver 53-man roster as the calendar turned to October. Anderson did not see the field over the final dozen weeks, yet has appeared in each Broncos game since then on special teams.

Mike Purcell, defensive tackle – Purcell had a pair of tours with New England’s practice squad in the fall of 2017. The Broncos mark the seventh NFL team for the 29-year-old nose tackle out of Wyoming, who signed one April ago following a stint in the Alliance of American Football. Purcell went on to register 48 tackles across 13 games for Denver last season. He started seven and was retained as a restricted free agent entering the new league year. Purcell signed a contract extension through 2023 this October.

Darius Kilgo, defensive tackle – Recently signed to the practice squad, Kilgo originally arrived in Denver in the sixth round of the 2015 draft. In between were stops with multiple clubs, including the Patriots more than once. The nose tackle out of Maryland had been claimed off waivers by New England halfway through the 2016 season and returned during training camp this August. Kilgo won Super Bowls with both the Broncos and Patriots, both as part of the active roster and practice squad. The 28-year-old has appeared in 29 career games.

Duke Dawson, cornerback – Arriving at pick No. 56 overall in 2018, Dawson did not check into a game beyond the preseason for the organization that drafted him. The former Florida Gators defensive back began his rookie year on injured reserve before being activated in November. Dawson remained among the inactives for the Patriots up through Super Bowl LIII and was traded to Denver as the league’s 2019 roster deadline neared. The deal included an exchange of sixth- and seventh-round selections. The 24-year-old Dawson has played in 18 games for the Broncos, starting three in the secondary.

NEW ENGLAND

James Ferentz, center – Earning Super Bowl rings as a Bronco and a Patriot, Ferentz took the field for 21 games with Denver between the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He started the first two games of his career with New England last season, then returned on the practice squad in September. The 31-year-old Ferentz would be signed to the 53-man roster before October and started at center in Week 4. An Iowa Hawkeyes alum, Ferentz entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans in 2014.

Matt LaCosse, tight end – A Covid-19 opt-out, LaCosse made eight starts on the New England depth chart last season. Prior to then, the 28-year-old tight end played in 17 games while with the Broncos. In 2018, LaCosse started a handful and finished the season with a career-high 24 receptions for 250 yards and one touchdown. The Illinois product had landed in Denver via the New York Giants’ practice squad the December prior.