Previewing the Patriots quarterback heading into his first NFL season.
The New England Patriots entered the 2025 NFL Draft with two quarterbacks on their roster. They exited the 2025 NFL Draft… with those same two QBs under contract. However, the team of first-year head coach Mike Vrabel still added a rookie passer to provide depth behind Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs.
Hard facts
Name: Ben Wooldridge
Position: Quarterback
Jersey number: 17 (r)
Opening day age: 25 (9/27/1999)
Measurements: 6’2 3/8”, 214 lbs, 78 3/4” wingspan, 32 5/8” arm length, 9 1/4” hand size, 4.81s 40-yard dash, 4.35s short shuttle, 34” vertical jump, 9’7” broad jump, 7.40 Relative Athletic Score
Experience
NFL: New England Patriots (2025-) | College: Fresno State (2018-20), Louisiana (2021-24)
A two-star recruit, Wooldridge created limited buzz coming out of Foothill High School in Pleasanton, CA. He eventually settled just 130 miles from his hometown, joining Fresno State as a backup quarterback in 2018. He ended up spending his entire three-year career with the Bulldogs in that capacity, attempting just 22 passes in five total in-game appearances — none of which as a starter.
As a result of his status and lack of perspective behind future NFL fourth-round draft pick Jake Haener, Wooldridge decided to enter the transfer portal after the 2020 season. He eventually ended up at Louisiana, where he began seeing more regular action: after not playing his first season, he ended up with 19 starts while throwing for 4,622 yards with 37 touchdowns and 12 interceptions; he also scored 9 rushing TDs.
The Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year in 2024, Wooldridge was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL Draft.
Scouting report
Strengths: Standing at 6-foot-2 and 214 pounds, Wooldridge looks the part of an NFL quarterback. He combines his size with solid baseline athleticism, both as a passer and as a runner. While not a dual-threat in the classic sense, he has shown some good escapability from muddied pockets as well as the proper burst and fight to pick up extra yards.
As a thrower, Wooldridge possesses natural arm talent. He has a quick release and shows good velocity and touch particularly in the short and intermediate range. He generally places the ball well in that part of the field. In addition, he has been praised for his work ethic and leadership despite having to deal with his fair share of setbacks over the course of his seven-year college career.
Weaknesses: Despite his experience, Wooldridge is still a raw player in various aspects. His poise and decision making under pressure leave some to be desired, as does his feel for the pocket and spatial awareness with bodies flying around him. He also has showcased inconsistent mechanics when under pressure, oftentimes sacrificing his technique in hopes of turning nothing into something. He also is not the most gifted deep ball thrower, seemingly lacking the power to deliver the ball accurately down the field.
Wooldridge also is on the older side, and will turn 26 early in the regular season; despite being a rookie he is older than more than half the players of the Patriots’ current roster. His age comes with an extensive injury history that includes season-ending ACL and foot injuries as well as shoulder and collarbone issues.
2024 review
Stats: 11 games (11 starts) | 646 offensive snaps | 291 pass attempts, 192 completions (66.0%), 2,453 yards, 17 TDs, 6 INTs | 51 carries, 293 yards (5.7 yards/carry), 5 TDs | 12 sacks (3.6%), 2 fumbles (0 lost), 5 penalties
Season recap: After being limited to three contests in 2023 because of a season-ending foot injury, Wooldridge returned to the Ragin’ Cajuns’ starting lineup for what would be his seventh college campaign. Just like the previous six, however, he did not appear in every possible game.
A broken collarbone suffered in a mid-November loss to South Alabama forced him to miss three games. Wooldridge eventually returned for the season finale, but went just 7-of-20 with an interception in a 34-3 blowout defeat against TCU in the New Mexico Bowl.
While his college season did not end the way he would have hoped, Wooldridge’s 2024 season as a whole was still a successful one. Not only did he set a new career high in starts (11), snaps (646) and dropback opportunities (332), he also had his most passing yards (2,453), yards per attempt (8.3) and touchdowns (17) in a single season — all while helping his team go 8-2 in the 10 games he was available from start to finish.
His best games came in a 41-38 shootout with Wake Forest (20-of-29, 257 yards, 3 TDs) and a 34-24 victory over Coastal Carolina (27-of-36, 373 yards, 3 TDs). While he was unable to keep up this level throughout the season, Wooldridge’s performance, even in a somewhat limited capacity, earned some individual accolades.
He was recognized as the Sun Belt Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year and in addition was named to the first All-Sun Belt team. It was the first time in his career that he received honors of that caliber.
2025 preview
Position: No. 3 QB | Ability: Camp body/Practice squad candidate | Contract: Signed through 2027
What will be his role? With Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs undisputed as the No. 1 and No. 2 quarterback on the Patriots’ roster, Wooldridge is the third option at the position. As such, he will see most of his action in practice and preseason while also — if on the 53-man roster — dressing as the emergency QB3 even if classified an inactive on game day.
What is his growth potential? Wooldridge has some positive attributes, but his overall ceiling is limited compared to a player like Drake Maye. That said, if he can adapt to the NFL game from a mental perspective and become more accurate down the field, he could develop into a viable QB2 down the stretch.
Does he have positional versatility? Wooldridge has decent size and athleticism, but make no mistake: he is a one-dimensional player, just like most quarterbacks are. Beyond the occasional rushing attempt, he does not offer much from a versatility perspective.
What is his salary cap situation? The Patriots signed Wooldridge to a standard three-year UDFA deal that comes with a $842,000 cap hit this season. At the moment, and with the NFL’s Top 51 rule in place, however, only his guaranteed signing bonus proration worth $2,000 is hitting the team’s books. A base salary will only become relevant for cap purposes if he makes the 53-man roster or practice squad.
How safe is his roster spot? Even though the Patriots have only three quarterbacks under contract at the moment, Wooldridge’s spot on the team is anything but safe. In order to make the cut, or at least find a spot on the practice squad, he will need to prove himself more valuable than depth options at other positions over the course of the summer.
Summary: Wooldridge stands out among the Patriots’ rookie class due to his age and college experience, as well as the fact that he would not play any meaningful snaps for the Patriots in a perfect world. Despite all of that, there is value in his presence on the roster — from lightening Drake Maye’s and Joshua Dobbs’ practice workload, to emergency depth, to possible developmental considerations. As a result, the 25-year-old might just find a way to stick around.
What do you think about Ben Wooldridge heading into the 2025 season? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.