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Free agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs has agreed to a three-year, $69 million contract with the New England Patriots.
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Several New England Patriots players face pressure to perform during the upcoming training camp.Competition for roster spots is fierce due to new coaching staff and player acquisitions.Returning players like Rhamondre Stevenson and Kyle Dugger must prove their value against rookies and free agents.
Every player on the roster will have something to prove when the New England Patriots start training camp in July.
Such is the case for a team with a new vision and direction under coach Mike Vrabel. It will be a clean slate for players to prove they deserve a spot on the 53-man roster.
However, there will be players facing significantly more pressure than others heading into training camp. For some, there are questions of scheme fit, while others could have their starting roles challenged by the many newcomers on the roster. There are also likely roster bubble players at positions already crowded with talent.
Here are seven Patriots players under the most pressure heading into 2025 training camp:
LB Jahlani Tavai
Jahlani Tavai suffered a calf injury during organized team activities. There’s hope that he’ll be ready to return by the start of training camp. The competition is fierce at linebacker with the arrival of Robert Spillane and continued improvements from Christian Elliss. Tavai’s fit in Patriots coach Mike Vrabel’s defense has been a question since the very beginning.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
Rhamondre Stevenson had a whopping seven fumbles last season. He could end up playing backup to rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson if he fails to hold onto the ball this year. Henderson is a sure-handed triple-threat option with the ability to run, receive and pass protect. He is good enough to threaten Stevenson for snaps immediately.
WR Ja’Lynn Polk
The Patriots have stacked the deck at wide receiver with 12 players currently rostered at the position. That creates some uncertainty for even Ja’Lynn Polk, a 2024 second-round draft pick. If he isn’t careful, he could get left in the dust as a surprise roster cut. He was a limited participant in minicamp due to an injury, which means training camp will be a make-or-break situation for the former Washington standout.
S Kyle Dugger
The competition is heating up at safety with the arrival of rookie Craig Woodson, who looked impressive during the spring practices. Could he potentially push Kyle Dugger, who has looked shaky at times, for a starting role in the defensive backfield?
It will be something to keep an eye on throughout training camp. Dugger signed a four-year, $58 million extension with the Patriots last year, but one has to wonder if the team would consider moving him if he gets outplayed by Woodson.
WR Javon Baker
If Ja’Lynn Polk is facing pressure, there should be no questions surrounding Javon Baker’s standing with the team. He’s another receiver currently on the roster bubble for the Patriots. The physical gifts are easy to see, but Baker hasn’t been consistent enough in competitive reps. Like Polk, he will be facing a make-or-break situation in training camp.
G Cole Strange
Cole Strange is entering the final year of his contract, and the Patriots are seemingly holding an open tryout for his starting left guard position. Granted, his importance to the team grew the moment veteran Wes Schweitzer was placed on the reserve/retired list. However, there are still clear contenders at left guard, including rookie Jared Wilson, Sidy Sow, Tyrese Robinson, Layden Robinson and Jack Conley.
EDGE Anfernee Jennings
Anfernee Jennings was an unsung hero for the Patriots when Matthew Judon went down with an injury back in 2023. He’s a big-bodied run-stuffer who consistently makes plays on the field. Even last season, when Jerod Mayo took over the team, Jennings was cemented as a 16-game starter for the defense.
However, things look significantly different with Mike Vrabel taking over as head coach. The Patriots signed Harold Landry III, K’Lavon Chaisson and drafted Bradyn Swinson. Keion White is also expected to see more work on the edge moving forward. Jennings is a solid player, but like linebacker Jahlani Tavai, his fit is a major question mark.
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