Patriots try out Clark, McClendon for roster spots

The New England Patriots hosted two undrafted defensive backs—Hudson Clark and Jeremiah McClendon—for a tryout on Friday.

The team’s need for depth in the secondary is driving this late evaluation. The Patriots released veteran safety Devin McCourty in March, creating an open roster spot. They also lost cornerback Jalen Mills to injury in the offseason and enter camp thin at defensive back. With the roster still adjusting after roster cuts and injuries, coach Bill Belichick is keeping options open. Both Clark and McClendon are unsigned free agents who played college ball in smaller programs—Clark at Texas State, McClendon at Florida A&M—positions where talent evaluation often happens after the draft.

The tryouts come as the Patriots wrap up their first week of training camp in Foxborough. They already signed six defensive backs in the offseason but released two during roster cuts this week. That left the Patriots with 11 defensive backs on a 90-man roster that must be trimmed to 53 by the opener. Clark, 23, and McClendon, 22, are longshots to make the team but fit Belichick’s pattern of giving late opportunities to players who showed up well in college film study or private workouts.

If either player stands out in drills or the walkthrough, they could land on the practice squad. The Patriots have used the practice squad to develop young defensive backs before in recent years. A strong camp could also earn them a futures contract for next season. With the roster fluid through the preseason, one or both could get another look if injuries strike. But for now, their immediate path runs through special teams and the scout team rather than the starting lineup.