Patriots News 7-20, What To Watch For At Training Camp
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Good morning. Here is your Patriots news, 7-20, and NFL notes this week. Training camp begins this week, and now we’ll be having football non-stop until February.
For the Patriots, there is considerable optimism this summer. And it is warranted. I know that optimism abounds for all 32 teams in the summer, and that’s when everything starts. Everyone begins the summer even, and then we watch training camps and preseason games, trying to figure out if it’s real or a smokescreen.
Mike Vrabel has ushered in a new group of faces in the locker room and the coaching staff. The only remaining face from the Super Bowl glory years is Josh McDaniels, but no more players.
These guys will have to carve their own legacy to have their pictures up in the hallways of Gillette Stadium. They made a lot of moves this offseason, and they paid through the nose for some intriguing free agents. We don’t know how they’ll turn out yet, but their fit in Vrabel’s or McDaniel’s systems seems like a natural one. Optimism…there’s that word again.
The draft was a good one; they addressed their needs, but still got some intriguing players without a lot of reaching this season. Now the heavy lifting starts as the competition begins, as the roster must be cut from 90 to 53 in just a few weeks.
Forged In Foxborough II: The Patriots’ second installment of the docuseries of building the 2025 team, was even better than the first. It is a close look at head coach Mike Vrabel interacting with his offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels.
Offensive line coaches are highlighted here as they focus on their training and teaching points with Will Campbell and the players. Michael Onwenu and Morgan Moses have already built chemistry on the right side. Moses, in particular, stands out as such a positive influence, sharing his many years of experience with the younger players, such as Campbell.
This episode was mainly on the offensive side of the ball. It was great to see Dante Scarnecchia and Andre Tippett in the episode. The Patriots miss Coach Scar, but have a great OL coach in Doug Marrone.
It’s great to see Drake Maye, McDaniels, and Vrabel constantly talking, teaching, and interacting with one another. What a great way to get ready for training camp than to watch this.
Another great job by Fred Kirsch and the Patriots staff. Great stuff here.
TreVeyon Henderson: The Patriots’ second-round draft running back signed a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $11.14 million. He was the fifth of the second-round picks whose money was fully guaranteed.
The Patriots’ rookies reported for training camp on Saturday, making the timing of this deal perfect. Henderson is expected to add some explosion to the running back room with his excellent top-end speed both rushing and receiving.
Terry McLaurin: The Washington Commanders and McLaurin still don’t have anything worked out yet regarding a new contract. McLaurin sounded frustrated that nothing had happened, and rightfully so. He is so essential for a team that thinks it will compete for a Super Bowl berth this season.
“Yeah, I’ve been pretty frustrated, I’m not going to lie,” McLaurin said. “Everything that has transpired up to this point has been disappointing and frustrating. I want to continue my career here. I’ve created my life here. My wife and I have bought our first home here, so this has been somewhere where I’ve always wanted to be.”
“Just to see how things have played out has been disappointing. I obviously understand everything is a business, but at the same time, I want to put myself in a position where I’m valued and I feel appreciated.”
While some believe that opens the door for a trade, especially to New England, 32 teams would love to have a guy like McLaurin on their roster.
Like what happened with T.J. Watt earlier this week, I don’t see McLaurin leaving the Commanders. They will find a way to get it done.
Drake Maye: The Patriot quarterback reported early for training camp, not surprisingly, as he looks to get a head start this season. He arrived on Thursday, QBs and rookies were due on Saturday, and veterans on Tuesday before the start of camp on Wednesday.
Patriots No Huddle Podcast: Derek, Mike, and I discussed training camp in a discussion. We had Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston as a guest this week. Please give it a watch, Phil always has got some great analysis. You can find our podcasts on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify. Please take a look and leave us a review.
Russ Francis/Chuck Fairbanks: The former Patriot tight end and head coach should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame, and the fact that Francis isn’t is an absolute travesty. Francis and the Raiders’ Dave Casper changed how teams used the tight end position.
This will be displayed in our Sunday posts until it happens. Casper is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Francis’ numbers stand up well against Casper’s, yet he isn’t even in the team’s HOF.
Training camp begins on Wednesday, albeit not without pads for the first few days. I expect the first fully padded practice to begin on Monday, possibly on Saturday as the team has Sunday off.
But here are some of the things I’ll be looking for in no particular order during the first week of camp.
Offensive Line Play –
This area will be one to watch all summer and into the three preseason games and joint practices. The offensive line has been completely retooled this year, with possibly four different starters than who started Week 1 last year.
The right side seems set with Mike Onwenu returning as RG and newcomer Morgan Moses as RT. He is an aging but still viable tackle who brings a wealth of experience with him. He’s been helping all of the OL after practice.
Garrett Bradbury should be the starting center initially at least. But keep an eye peeled on rookie Jared Wilson, who could break through earlier rather than later.
We know that the LT is Will Campbell, the Patriots’ top pick in this spring’s draft. He’s the starter on Day 1.
Again, we won’t know how Campbell looks until the pads come on. But there is plenty of optimism there… although, according to some, his arms are too short to tie his shoes. (sarcasm font needed)
Left guard is an area with more questions than answers. No one is stepping up yet to take charge. Camp competition will bear watching.
Logjam At Wide Receiver –
The wide receiver room is loaded with players, but they’ll probably only keep six, possibly seven if Stefon Diggs begins the regular season on PUP. Right now, I have Diggs, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Demario Douglas as locks to make the 53-man roster.
This leaves Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Efton Chism, John Jiles, DeMeer Blankumsee, and Jeremiah Webb competing for two, possibly three spots initially.
Here is where the competition will be the fiercest this summer. There are questions about Bourne’s future with the Patriots. After tearing an ACL, he wasn’t the same last year. But he did have his best season under Josh McDaniels here in 2021. Boutte came on at the end of last season with Drake Maye.
Polk was a second-round pick a year ago, but not with this coaching staff. Could he and Baker be on the block this summer? Chism turned a lot of heads this spring, and the team likes him.
Can he continue that momentum now in the summer? It is doubtful he’d pass through waivers. But would the team opt to build with a younger player like him or Boutte over an established veteran like Bourne?
Edge Rushers –
The Patriots’ pass rush was a big issue last season, where they logged the fewest sacks (28) in the NFL. They’ve added several new pieces to the mix, and on paper, this unit looks much better heading into the 2025 season.
Now, under Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams, the Patriots are adopting a more aggressive approach, and they’ve brought in the players who fit it. Harold Landry comes full circle in his career. He played in college at Boston College and had his best years under Vrabel in Tennessee. Now he is reunited with Vrabel. He had nine sacks last year with the Titans.
Keion White is the “X” Factor for the pass rush this season. Last season, he notched five sacks, but he is capable of much more. Now, under a system that plays to his strengths, he is allowed to tee off on the quarterback.
K’Lavon Chiasson was a former first-round pick who appeared to be a bust after a forgettable few years in Jacksonville. He went to Carolina and was released at the end of training camp. He was then signed to the Raiders’ practice squad, and everything began to click.
Chaisson picked up five sacks down the stretch for the Raiders, and the Patriots signed him in free agency, believing that he’s capable of building off that.
Bradyn Swinson had an excellent final season of college football at LSU, leading the Tigers with 13.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. The fifth-round draft pick could be a steal this season as he looks to not only make the roster but play meaningful snaps.
He possesses both speed and power in his pass-rush toolbox and should provide excellent depth to the team, as he is expected to begin his career as a situational pass rusher with the potential for more.
Elijah Ponder had 26.5 sacks at Cal Poly, along with 167 tackles in 47 games. He’s a dark horse candidate, but he has the tools to shine. The same applies to Truman Jones. Jones was a member of the Patriots’ PS a year ago, but did appear in one game and had a pair of tackles. He has the athleticism the Patriots are looking for.
How Much TreVeyon Henderson Is Used –
The Patriots’ second-round rookie running back will be a fascinating player to watch this season. He has the speed and explosiveness to be a home run threat out of the backfield in the running and passing games.
When Josh McDaniels was the offensive coordinator, the Patriots used the rookie season as somewhat of a redshirt season, where they were used sparingly, especially in the passing game, until they showed pass blocking proficiency.
We saw that with Shane Vereen and James White back in the day. But Henderson is already considered a very good pass blocker, Lance Zierlein of the NFL.com said he may be the best pass blocking RB in the draft.
“They LOVE, LOVE him in that program. He’s unselfish, really productive, can play on all three downs and is about the team first.” — NFC director of scouting.
He’s got sure hands and could be an outstanding receiver as a weapon or safety valve for Drake Maye in his rookie season. It will be intriguing to see how much Josh McDaniels uses him, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see his snaps grow and grow as the season progresses.
Who Backs Up Henry/Hooper At Tight End?
The Patriots have Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper returning in 2025, and the pair were arguably the most consistent and reliable receivers on the team in 2024. They are a very good combination of 1A and 1B tight ends. Drake Maye relied on the duo more and more, and they consistently delivered.
But who do they keep beyond them? Currently, the team has Jaheim Bell, Jack Westover, Brock Lampe (FB), C.J. Dippre, and Gee Scott Jr. fight for roster/practice squad spots.
Do they keep just two on the active roster? It is possible, but the feeling here is one more will make the roster. Bell couldn’t find a role as a rookie and that carried over into the spring. This will be a big summer for him.
Dippre is an intriguing prospect as he has the size to be a big blocking tight end, which he was at Alabama. When the pads come on will be his chance to shine. He has decent speed (4.69) to be used as a pass catcher. He was used sparingly as an option for Alabama, but was reliable when done so. Gee Scott Jr. is another UDFA from LSU, who is flying under the radar right now. Jack Westover is a holdover from 2024.
The Patriots may opt to keep Brock Lampe as a FB/TE, as McDaniels has traditionally kept a FB on the roster, so that decision will bear watching. It would be nice for a way for the Patriots to keep both Lampe and Dippre but that remains to be seen.
Drake Maye’s Year 2 Development –
Here is the $64,000 question for the team. Maye had an up and down rookie season with the team last year. However, given that he arguably had the worst supporting cast around him, that isn’t so surprising.
His supporting cast in 2025 still isn’t anywhere near Top 10, but it is certainly much better. The Patriots have seemingly filled their holes at tackle and added some better weapons for him in the passing game. Stefon Diggs is coming off of an ACL tear, but looks like he’ll be ready for the season.
Kyle Williams was added in the draft, and has the ability to get separation at the line of scrimmage consistently. Efton Chism (see above) is another shifty slot guy who could make the team.
With better pass protection, better weapons around him, and with Josh McDaniels calling the plays, Maye should be ready to take that Year 2 jump. How quickly things gel and how well they do will ultimately determine how big a jump Maye and the Patriots make this season.
Are you excited yet? It all begins on Wednesday for another season of Patriots Football.
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“Somebody asked me what success looks like, and I said, ‘Yeah, you can judge it by wins and losses during the season, but success for me in the offseason is going to be that the players believe in what we’re doing, and they believe in the message, they believe in the teaching, and they believe in the connections that we’re making.’” — Mike Vrabel
Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at [email protected]
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Henderson. Yes… he may be on the sidelines a bit this year to start. Like Steve said. He was a solid pass blocker for the Buckeyes, but he is at zero on pass blocking and handling his run/pass play assignments in Mc’Daniels offense. Rookie. Complex NL offense. His spot (3rd down RB) has a ton to learn. Like TE being having both lineman and reciever jobs. If he sits a bit, it doesn’t mean he’s a bust in Sept/Oct like so many are quick to cry. Or that the coaches don’t know what they are doing. McLaurin. The Pats are… Read more »