The New England Patriots wrapped up their rookie minicamp this weekend with a flurry of activity, hosting 17 players for tryouts. By Monday, the team had locked in two of those hopefuls—defensive edge Xavier Holmes and safety Peter Manuma—signing both as undrafted rookie free agents to the active roster. Now officially the 90th and 91st players on the squad, these additions signal the Patriots' ongoing commitment to scouring every corner for hidden talent.

While every team dreams of uncovering the next Malcolm Butler—a tryout success story turned Super Bowl hero—the reality is that signings like these start at the very bottom of the NFL hierarchy. Holmes and Manuma are no exception, entering the league in the deepest depths of New England's depth chart. But that doesn't mean they can't climb.

Manuma, in particular, steps into an intriguing situation. Let's break down the current safety room:

Safety Depth Chart (7 players): Kevin Byard (31), Craig Woodson (4), Dell Pettus (24), Brenden Schooler (41), John Saunders Jr. (23), Mike Brown (33), Peter Manuma (34)

Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson are roster locks, and All-Pro special teamer Brenden Schooler is a near-certainty to stick. That leaves just one or two spots open for competition—and Manuma brings the tools to make a serious push. With a Relative Athletic Score of 6.53, a college résumé that includes 49 games and two-time team captain honors at Hawaii, and ball production (5 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles), he has the profile to compete. His 4.47-second 40-yard dash during pre-draft testing showcases the speed needed for deep safety range in the NFL, and at 6-foot-0, 205 pounds, he's versatile enough to play free safety, move into the slot, or creep up near the line of scrimmage.

Late-round draft picks and undrafted free agents are rarely polished prospects; teams hunt for traits. For Manuma, that trait is speed. For Holmes, it's a combination of edge pressure and special teams versatility—both of which the Patriots value highly. As the team builds toward the season, these two newcomers embody the grit and potential that make training camp battles so compelling.