The Patriots will spend the following two days competing towards the Vikings in joint practices earlier than Saturday afternoon’s preseason sport in Minnesota.
Earlier than we see which gamers stand out towards the Vikings, let’s spotlight who’s impressing and disappointing by means of the primary three weeks of coaching camp.
Six trending up
RB Treveyon Henderson: Merely put, the Patriots’ offense seemed higher and extra explosive Friday evening towards the Commanders when Henderson was on the sector. Does that imply he’ll move Rhamondre Stevenson for the beginning job by Week 1? Not essentially. However anticipate him to see a ton of labor in his rookie season. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and operating backs coach Tony Dews raved about Henderson’s pace, play energy, intelligence and work ethic this week.
WR Efton Chism: The undrafted rookie out of Jap Washington has ridden the rookie rollercoaster because the starting of th spring. He was a serious standout throughout OTAs and minicamp however began gradual when the Patriots regrouped for coaching camp. He’s been on a serious upswing over the previous week, nonetheless. Backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs raved about Chism’s means to get open in key conditions. Chism’s work ethic is unmatched as he tries to adapt to the NFL and be taught McDaniels’ advanced offense.
LG Jared Wilson: It didn’t take lengthy for Wilson to earn a beginning spot on the offensive line. He started the summer time because the Patriots’ prime backup heart behind Garrett Bradbury and left guard behind Cole Unusual. Wilson, a beginning heart final season at Georgia, has now handed Unusual on the depth chart at left guard.
OT Marcus Bryant: The 2025 seventh-round select of Missouri started the summer time behind Will Campbell, Morgan Moses and Demontrey Jacobs on the offensive line depth chart. Now, with lower than two weeks till roster cuts, Bryant seems to be the favourite to begin the season because the Patriots’ swing deal with. He’s lined up at his faculty place of left deal with, and the Patriots’ coaches like his versatility to flip over to proper deal with, as effectively.
S Jaylinn Hawkins: Hawkins’ re-signing this offseason was considered as an afterthought. He was one of many few Patriots free brokers who really returned below new head coach Mike Vrabel. Now, he’s an everyday a part of the beginning protection. Hawkins is a brilliant participant and a robust locker room presence. It seems Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams worth his means to cowl floor within the again half of the protection alongside Jabrill Peppers.
S Craig Woodson: It could not be a shock if Woodson, a 2025 fourth-round decide, emerged as a starter this season. He’s seen an increase up the Patriots’ defensive depth chart, and like Hawkins, has the power to cowl plenty of floor at free security. Woodson was the primary defensive participant chosen by Vrabel and his scouting workers. It could be a serious win if Woodson winds up as a starter.
Six trending down
WR Ja’Lynn Polk: It’s been a troublesome offseason in a make-or-break summer time for the 2024 second-round decide. He initially handed his bodily in late July however suffered an harm within the days main as much as camp that sidelined him for the primary 4 practices. He was quiet in his return to the sector, save for one standout observe, then suffered one other harm throughout Friday’s preseason sport. He received’t observe this week as he fights for a roster spot. Chism and Javon Baker look like favorites for the 53-man roster over Polk at this level.
WR Kendrick Bourne: Bourne has missed about half of coaching camp since struggling an harm through the Patriots’ intra-squad scrimmage. Already trying a step gradual in observe as he fights for a spot on the roster, Bourne might want to make up for misplaced time if he’s capable of return earlier than roster cuts on Aug. 26. Bourne’s largest strengths are his veteran management and data of the offense. Veteran Mack Hollins could be a fair higher veteran chief, and he has more moderen expertise with McDaniels.
OT Demontrey Jacobs: Jacobs nonetheless appears to be trending towards a roster spot, however he’s seen his spot because the Patriots’ prime swing deal with taken by Bryant. Jacobs is now combating with Vederian Lowe for a fourth offensive deal with spot behind Campbell, Moses and Bryant.
OL Cole Unusual: Unusual, a 2022 first-round decide, started the summer time because the Patriots’ beginning left guard. He’s not combating for snaps at heart and proper guard. Unusual nonetheless has an opportunity to earn a roster spot, however he’ll have to show extra precious than 2024 third-round decide Caedan Wallace and backup heart Ben Brown.
OLB Anfernee Jennings: It was an ominous signal to see Jennings nonetheless on the sector for the ultimate defensive snap of Friday evening’s preseason opener towards the Commanders. In practices main as much as this week’s joint classes towards the Vikings, Jennings labored on the scout group. Jennings is a really helpful participant in a protection that prioritizes defenders who can eat up house and set the sting towards the run. The Patriots’ new attacking protection, led by Vrabel and Williams, doesn’t essentially go well with Jennings’ strengths. It could make sense for the Patriots to hunt a commerce companion for Jennings.
S Kyle Dugger: Dugger is in a considerably comparable place as Jennings, although his contract is way much less traceable. Dugger was a standout participant for the Patriots below Invoice Belichick, however an ankle harm final season made him a legal responsibility in protection. The protection acquired by with two conventional sturdy safeties in Peppers and Dugger below Belichick and Jerod Mayo. If Vrabel and Williams need to begin a standard free security like Hawkins or Woodson, then Dugger may turn out to be expendable.
