FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- When New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan was asked last week about his excitement for the NFL playoffs, he noted that he didn't know what he didn't know.

"To be honest with you, a lot of people have asked me that, and I don't really know. I've never experienced it before so this is all new to me," he said.

Hogan, a five-year veteran in his first season with the Patriots, is one of 19 players on the 53-man roster who has never appeared in a playoff game.

Chris Hogan has provided a needed deep threat for Tom Brady. AP Photo/Bill Wippert

Here's the rundown, from most experienced to least:

DE Chris Long (ninth NFL season): Having spent the first eight years of his career with the Rams, he was never part of a team that had a winning record and has expressed how thankful he is to be playing at this time of year. In New England, he has been part of a four-man rotation with Rob Ninkovich, Trey Flowers and Jabaal Sheard.

WR Chris Hogan (fifth season): Signed as restricted free agent from Buffalo, he played in 74.2 percent of the offensive snaps during the regular season and led the team with a 17.9-yard average per reception.

RB Dion Lewis (fifth season): He missed last season's playoffs recovering from a torn ACL, was out of football in 2014, spent 2013 on injured reserve and didn't qualify for the postseason with the Eagles in 2011 and 2012.

LB Shea McClellin (fifth season): A 2012 first-round draft choice of the Bears, his teams in Chicago never qualified for the playoffs. His midseason switch from an end-of-the-line role in the Patriots' defense to more of an off-the-line role was part of what helped the unit gain some momentum.

LB Barkevious Mingo (fourth season): He wasn't close to the postseason in his first three NFL seasons with the Browns. In New England, his primary responsibilities come on special teams.

OT LaAdrian Waddle (fourth season): The backup swing tackle was on the Patriots' roster late last season but wasn't active for the playoffs. He was with the Lions from May 2, 2013, to Dec. 15, 2015; when Detroit qualified for the playoffs in 2014, Waddle was on injured reserve.

DE Trey Flowers (second season): The 2015 fourth-round draft choice played in one game last year and was placed on injured reserve Dec. 1, so he missed the playoffs. He led the Patriots with seven sacks this season.

DE Geneo Grissom (second season): A 2015 fourth-round draft choice out of Oklahoma who played in 14 regular-season games last year, he was inactive for the Patriots' two playoff games.

CB Eric Rowe (second season): Acquired in an early September trade from the Eagles, Rowe elevated to a top-three role in New England after overcoming an ankle injury. The Eagles didn't qualify for the playoffs last year.

TE Matt Lengel (first season): Although he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Kentucky in 2015, he is considered a first-year player in terms of accrued seasons because he spent his rookie season on the Bengals' practice squad.

ROOKIE CLASS

QB Jacoby Brissett: Third-round pick is expected to be inactive as the No. 3 QB on the depth chart.

RB D.J. Foster: He made the club as an undrafted free agent and is being groomed with the future in mind. He will likely be inactive.

CB Cyrus Jones: The team's top pick (No. 60, second round) has had a rocky year and likely will be inactive.

CB Jonathan Jones: An undrafted free agent from Auburn, he has carved out an important role on special teams. He'll be active.

G Ted Karras: The sixth-round pick from Illinois provides depth and helped early in the season until Shaq Mason was healthy. Karras will be active as a backup.

WR Malcolm Mitchell: Arguably the most impressive rookie receiver the Patriots have had since Deion Branch (2002). A knee injury will determine his status.

LB Elandon Roberts: The sixth-round pick from Houston is at his best playing downhill against the run, which should earn him a spot on the game-day roster.

G Joe Thuney: The third-round pick from NC State opened spring camps as the top left guard and has been there ever since, playing all but four snaps this season.

DT Vincent Valentine: A third-round pick from Nebraska, he has been the No. 3 option in a three-man rotation alongside Alan Branch and Malcom Brown.