There is still an entire training camp standing between the New England Patriots and the start of the 2025 NFL season. The competition will be as fierce as the summer heat, and players will need to make sure they use these next five weeks to prepare accordingly.
It’ll be a wide-open competition with a new coaching staff aiming to put together the best 53-man roster possible. Coach Mike Vrabel will have his work cut out to get the Patriots back to being a respectable team, much less a perennial playoff contender.
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Vrabel and lead personnel executive Eliot Wolf have done a tremendous job of raising the talent level. There’s hope that they’ve done so enough to give the team a chance to compete right away. One thing is certain: The roster is significantly better on paper than it was a year ago.
If the season opened today, these would be the starters for the Patriots:
Quarterback: Drake Maye
Jun 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) looks before passing the ball during minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
This is the easiest projection on the list. Drake Maye is the future franchise quarterback with the weight of the entire organization behind him. The team’s willingness to move on from Joe Milton so quickly proves the deep belief in Maye’s talent from Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.
Running back: Rhamondre Stevenson
Jun 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) walks to the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson certainly has the talent to overtake Rhamondre Stevenson as the starter, but it won’t happen right away. Stevenson is a talented workhorse back who should still lead the Patriots in carries. If he cleans up the fumbling and the offensive line protects better, he could experience a resurgence and further cement himself as the Patriots’ No. 1 running back option.
Wide receiver: Stefon Diggs, Kyle Williams, Demario Douglas
Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams will be the newcomers in the top-three receiving options for the Patriots. There is the potential for Diggs to be a true No. 1 option, and Williams’ playmaking abilities and consistent separation should earn him quality reps as a rookie. Meanwhile, Douglas will serve as the top slot option in Josh McDaniels’ offense in New England.
Tight end: Hunter Henry
Jun 10, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) speaks to the media after minicamp held in the WIN Field House at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Hunter Henry tied for receptions (66) and led the Patriots with 674 receiving yards last season. There’s an obvious connection brewing between him and Drake Maye. One has to wonder how that connection will grow in Year 2 as Maye continues to improve with the elevated talent around him.
Offensive line: Will Campbell, Cole Strange, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses
Jun 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell (66) jogs to the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Will Campbell, Mike Onwenu and Cole Strange are the only sure bets as offensive line starters for the Patriots. However, things get interesting at left guard and center with rookie center/guard Jared Wilson in the mix. The former Georgia standout has been nursing an injury, but he is expected to compete for both jobs when he returns.
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Strange is in the final year of his contract, and the fact that left guard has looked like an open tryout since the start of the spring practices doesn’t bode well for the former first-round draft pick.
Defensive tackles: Christian Barmore, Milton Williams
Jun 10, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) walks to the practice fields for minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
A healthy Christian Barmore back in the mix with Milton Williams would give the Patriots one of the best defensive tackle duos in the NFL. Barmore was well on his way to breaking out as a star before the bouts with blood clots ruined his 2024 season. Meanwhile, Williams is an ascending talent and fresh off a dominant Super Bowl performance with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Edge rushers: Keion White, Harold Landry III
Jun 10, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Keion White (99) works with a training aid during minicamp held in the WIN Field House at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Keion White is at his best when he gets to pin his ears back and hunt quarterbacks. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams will take full advantage of his talents on defense. On the other side, they’ve locked in a talented veteran and former Pro Bowler in Harold Landry III.
Linebackers: Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss
Jun 10, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane (14) before the start of a drill at minicamp held in the WIN Field House at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Robert Spillane is a tackling machine and one of the Patriots’ most underrated free agent signings. The surprise here is Christian Elliss, who I have edging out Jahlani Tavai as a defensive starter. Elliss has been on the rise ever since his uptick in defensive reps last season. He was lining up next to Spillane in the spring practices.
Cornerbacks: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones
Jun 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) runs after the catch during minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
The Patriots have one of the best cornerback rooms in the league. Christian Gonzalez is an All-Pro defensive back, and Carlton Davis III is a former Super Bowl champion. Meanwhile, Marcus Jones has emerged as one of the more talented and underrated slot corners in the league. Good luck throwing the ball with those three in coverage.
Safety: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers
Jun 10, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) walks to the practice fields for minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Jabrill Peppers missed most of the 2024 season due to legal drama. His return in the defensive backfield will be a huge lift for the defense. The combination of Peppers and Kyle Dugger, along with the upgrade at cornerback, should give the Patriots a top-10 secondary in the 2025 season.
Specialists: Andres Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby
Jun 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots place kicker Andres Borregales (36) walks to the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Andres Borregales was the more accurate kicker throughout the spring in his ongoing competition with John Parker Romo. The Patriots haven’t had a reliable franchise kicker since Stephen Gostkowski, and they’re hopeful Borregales can finally fill that void. As for punter, it’ll be business as usual with Bryce Baringer keeping the starting job, while rookie Julian Ashby serves as the new long-snapper.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Projecting Patriots starting units after offseason program