With a dozen training camp practices, including three walkthroughs and one joint session, in the books, the New England Patriots now turn their attention to preseason game No. 1 Friday night.
With the competition ramping up across the roster, let’s revisit six positional battles that were considered the biggest question marks entering training camp.
It took just one week of practice for a leading candidate to clearly establish himself as the starting left guard. That has been rookie Jared Wilson. The third-rounder opened the summer mixing in at center with Cole Strange at left guard, but after a pair of muffed exchanges with Drake Maye, Wilson has been a fixture at the left guard position — impressing in the process.
“Nothing’s set in stone with the roster or the lineup — but certainly want to give Jared the opportunity that he’s deserved, which I think is to be out there with the ones in the last couple days and going forward into next week,” head coach Mike Vrabel said last week. “I think we talked about the players that don’t participate in practice but have the ability to stay engaged with the installation and stay up with the installation, and he did that through the spring.
“He wasn’t able to be out there physically, but was able to learn all the interior line positions and then really got off to a good start here in training camp. So, try to tell the team that, take advantage of your opportunities and you get more opportunity.”
With Wilson appearing to be out of the mix at center, veteran Garrett Bradbury has remained the front runner for the starting center position. But after returning from a lower body injury and continuing to struggle in pass protection, it was noteworthy to see Ben Brown snap to Maye along the top unit at times during the joint practice Wednesday against the Commanders. The door now seems open for Brown to push Bradbury out of the starting lineup, while Strange has also snapped with the second unit at times.
A clear top five has established themselves inside the Patriots wide receiver room that includes Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and rookie Kyle Williams. One or two spots could be up for grabs behind them, with Javon Baker and Efton Chism III appearing to lead that charge.
While he’s still searching for consistency, Baker’s talent has been on display in flashes with several splash plays this summer while his combination of vertical speed and ability to play above the rim is lacking elsewhere on the depth chart. Chism, meanwhile, has been uncoverable along the first and second levels while his skillset has a history of success under Josh McDaniels. Both players also play multiple special teams units to help their cause, but have not seen consistent reps with Maye to this point.
Behind them are Ja’Lynn Polk and Kendrick Bourne. Last year’s second-rounder has had a quiet start to camp since his return from missing the first week of practice, while Bourne has repped exclusively with the second team and has now been sidelined the last week with an injury. And outside of Polk serving as a depth punt returner, neither player contributes on special teams making their role even harder to project as a potential sixth or seventh receiver on the 53-man roster.
The depth behind Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper has remained relatively quiet throughout both the spring and summer.
From an opportunity standpoint, practice squad tight end Jack Westover has received plenty of work aligning more in the backfield in a fullback-role. That versatility could elevate him above the rest of the group, while most of his action in the passing game has come in the underneath area of the field.
UDFA Gee Scott Jr. has been the one member of this group to consistently make plays downfield, which may not be a surprise given his wide receiver background. Scott also had back-to-back practices with a touchdown in the red area last week.
There has not been much competition as for who will align next to Robert Spillane this season — especially since Jahlani Tavai has again been sidelined with an injury. Throughout camp, Christian Elliss has been a fixture along the second level with Jack Gibbens third in the rotation. Former third-round pick Marte Mapu has consistently repped with the second team next to Gibbens as he transitions to a full-time role along the second level.
New England’s cornerback depth in particular has been tested this camp as Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis deal with injuries and Marcellas Dial Jr. has now landed on injured reserve with a torn ACL. While Alex Austin has expectedly handled more opportunity along the outside, camp riser D.J. James has appeared to separate himself from the rest of the group behind him.
The Auburn product hauled in the first interception of camp and hasn’t looked back with strong man coverage skills and additional plays on the football. He then was a standout to end Monday’s practice in the low red area with a pass breakup and several forced incompletions.
“D.J. is one of those players that’s improved from the end of the spring until now,” Vrabel said earlier this summer, “and he’s taken advantage of some players that aren’t there, so then he moves up a group or whatever that may be, and therefore he’s taking advantage of his opportunities, and he’ll continue to earn more opportunities. But D.J. is an improved player through the short time that we’ve been here.”
New England’s top backup tackle has been a position to watch with veteran Morgan Moses in-and-out of practices. While Demontrey Jacobs has primarily held the role, rookie Marcus Bryant has appeared to make a push up the depth chart this week even working in with the first unit.
The edge depth behind Keion White, Harold Landry, and K’Lavon Chaisson has been exciting to watch with young options like Truman Jones and Elijah Ponder impressing as pass rushers. Both players will receive plenty on preseason work, while Anfernee Jennings also remains in the mix.
It’s been a near best-case scenario kicker battle for the Patriots as misses have been few and far between for both Parker Romo and rookie Andres Borregales. The sixth-rounder would likely have a small leg up at this point, especially as he’s connected on 21 straight attempts since a 2-of-4 performance earlier this summer.