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Training camp for the New England Patriots is still a long, long way from being over. Pads are expected to come on for the first time at Thursday’s practice. Joint practices are still a couple of weeks away. Preseason games begin after that.
But the first few days of camp are interesting in that they can reveal the beginnings of a depth chart. This is when we first noticed a year ago that safety Kyle Dugger was with the backups, a sign of what was coming for him. (He was traded to the Steelers on Oct. 30.)
So as the Patriots prep for full-padded practices starting Thursday, here’s our first attempt at projecting the 53-man roster that is still a month away from being finalized.
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Chad Graff
Quarterback
In: Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito, Behren Morton
Out: None
There’s no real controversy here with only three quarterbacks in camp. Maye has been fine so far as the offense has been a bit slow to find its form, but that’s to be expected with a new pair of starting wide receivers and with the defense usually ahead of the offense this time of year anyway.
Running back
In: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Reggie Gilliam, Lan Larison
Out: Jam Miller, Terrell Jennings, Myles Montgomery
The Patriots’ No. 3 running back competition is one of the more underdiscussed battles of camp. Larison looks like the early leader, but special teams will play a big role in who ultimately wins the job, and the team hasn’t spent much time yet on special teams.
Wide receiver
In: A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism
Out: Kyle Williams, Kyle Dixon, Nick DeGennaro, Cameron Dorner, Kobe Prentice
Coach Mike Vrabel has been plenty complimentary of Williams and even named him an offseason award winner. Still, actions speak louder than words, and Williams plays mostly with the second-team offense and hasn’t made a big impact with that group.
It would be shocking to cut a third-round pick before his second season, so the likelihood of this actually happening is low. Let’s just say these upcoming preseason games will be important for Williams, who may need to win the kick-returner job to keep his spot on the roster (or at least dress for games).
Meanwhile, while it’s been a slow start for Brown and Doubs, Boutte keeps making big play after big play and has easily been the offense’s best player.
Tight end
In: Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon, Tanner Arkin
Out: Jack Westover, CJ Dippre, Mitch Van Vooren, Jeremiah Franklin
The Patriots were dealt a blow when No. 2 tight end Julian Hill suffered a season-ending injury, but Raridon has looked the part in the passing game so far, and Arkin has done the same in the running game. More will be revealed when pads come on, especially considering this is a position that generally isn’t kind to rookies. But Arkin would bring size (only one drafted tight end weighed more than Arkin’s 262 pounds) and take on a role primarily as a run blocker.
Offensive line
In: Will Campbell, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu, Ben Brown, Dametrious Crownover, James Hudson III
Out: Caedan Wallace, Marcus Bryant, Mehki Butler, Lorenz Metz, Andrew Rupcich, Jacob Rizy, JonDarius Morgan
It’s toughest to gauge the trenches in the pre-padded practices, so take this section with a grain of salt, but Hudson has mixed in plenty, a good sign for his roster chances. Lomu, meanwhile, has taken some snaps with the first-team offense, both giving Moses a break at right tackle and as a jumbo tight end in short-yardage packages.
Defensive line
In: Dre’Mont Jones, Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Harold Landry III, Gabe Jacas, Elijah Ponder, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Bradyn Swinson
Out: Leonard Taylor III, Quintayvious Hutchins, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Jesse Luketa, David Blay Jr., Xavier Holmes, Isaiah Iton
If I have an early concern with the Pats, it’s at edge rusher. Landry hasn’t practiced all summer. Same for Jacas. Ponder has drawn positive comments, and Swinson has dropped 15 pounds to try to get quicker on the edge, both good signs. But the Pats need Landry and Jacas on the field in the next couple of weeks, since this is already a position group that isn’t going to scare too many offenses.
Linebacker
In: Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, K.J. Britt, Namdi Obiazor
Out: Chad Muma, Otis Reese, Amari Gainer, Riley Wilson, Khalil Jacobs
Carrying only four linebackers into the season would admittedly make for a light group. But defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr showed last season that he often wants to play with five or more defensive backs on the field at a time. That paves the way for a roster setup similar to this one and allows them to keep six corners and five safeties.
Cornerback
In: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Kindle Vildor, Charles Woods, Karon Prunty
Out: Kobee Minor, Marcellas Dial Jr., Brandon Crossley, Channing Canada, Kenneth Harris
Gonzalez is getting the best of Brown so far, and he isn’t taking reps off as he negotiates a contract extension. The big question here is whether the Patriots keep six cornerbacks. If so, Prunty probably has a leg up on the others.
Safety
In: Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus, John Saunders Jr., Brenden Schooler
Out: Mike Brown, Peter Manuma
One tweak Kuhr has brought to the defense in the early days of camp is more three-safety packages. Saunders has spent some time this week alongside Byard and Woodson with the first team, which is a good sign for the 2025 undrafted free agent.
Special teams
In: Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby
Out: None
While Baringer didn’t punt well in the Super Bowl, Vrabel said the team likes the calming presence he brings as a holder in the kicking game, so his job is safe for now.
