Patriots training camp: What we know (and don't know) ahead of preseason trip to Minnesota

New York Times

3 days ago

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots spent much of Monday prepping for a couple of joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings. The scout-team defense wore jersey numbers to reflect the Vikings' top players (like safety Harrison Smith) so Drake Maye and others can anticipate what's awaiting them.
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That's because, in Minnesota, this Patriots offense will face its toughest and likely most revealing few days before the season begins. Brian Flores' defense is hard to read and effective. It makes life awfully difficult for offensive lines and quarterbacks, so it'll be revealing to see how the Patriots handle it.
The last couple of practices weren't great for the offense. They struggled to move the ball both Sunday and Monday. Now, as they prepare for the joint practices that loom during the most important week of training camp, let's take stock of what we know about the Patriots so far — and what we still don't know.
Over the last two weeks, it has become clear how the Patriots plan to roll out their new-look offensive line. From left to right, they'll go Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses.
The competition at left guard was quickly won by Wilson. Bradbury has fended off any challenges to his job as Maye's starting center. So this group seems pretty set.
That gives the Patriots four new starters from last year's offensive line with Onwenu as the lone holdover, though he's back to his more comfortable right guard spot after mostly playing right tackle a year ago.
Behind the scenes, coaches have expressed a lot of confidence and optimism in what they have on the O-line. They've been impressed by what Moses has brought both on the field and in helping younger players off the field. They've been blown away by how quickly Wilson has grasped the system. And they're happy with the positive moments Campbell has provided, including a pancake block in the preseason opener.
Still, I'm a bit skeptical about two rookies next to each other protecting Maye's blind side. And how Bradbury is going to hold up at center.
The offensive line can't be any worse than last year. I just think they're going to have ups and downs and probably end up as, say, the 20th-best unit in the league.
DeMario Douglas has been awesome this training camp. He's everywhere and a frequent target of Maye. Add to that Stefon Diggs — who doesn't look like a guy in his 30s, only nine months removed from an ACL tear — and the Patriots have a pair of receivers they can trust.
Douglas seems like the perfect shifty slot receiver to thrive in Josh McDaniels' offense. Diggs, even if he's no longer in his prime, is still a good route runner.
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The optimistic view is that several different receivers have had nice days that make you think they could be the Patriots' No. 3 receiver. But the pessimistic view is that none have stepped up to claim that role in no-doubt fashion.
Mack Hollins is a possession receiver with size they otherwise lack. Kayshon Boutte has been solid and can play a lot of different roles. Kyle Williams has deep-threat upside. But so far, it's not clear which of those three deserves to be the No. 3 option.
The scramble for a touchdown in the preseason game was impressive. A couple of his deep balls in practice look effortless (even if they're not always caught).
.@DrakeMaye2 takes it himself!
📺: WBZ pic.twitter.com/nIDUe3MDvg
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 8, 2025
With Maye, the physical traits are obvious. You watch him practice, and he seems like a sure thing to be a good NFL quarterback. And yet …
After he had the worst supporting cast of any rookie quarterback last season, plenty anticipate a major leap for Maye. And it could happen. But I wouldn't say that training camp has been so good for Maye that he's ready to make a jump into the top-10 (or even 15) quarterbacks this season.
I'm still very bullish on Maye long term. But this offensive line is going to hit some bumps in the road, and the wide receiver situation could get bleak if Diggs or Douglas gets hurt or Williams doesn't develop.
Drake Maye
Patriots
Based on the last two practices, Kyle Dugger is a backup safety on this team. Marte Mapu probably won't make the final roster. Jahlani Tavai is a bubble player. Same for Anfernee Jennings.
We know Vrabel overhauled the roster in the offseason and didn't keep many players from last year's unit. But a few weeks into camp, a few more holdovers are losing playing time — and might not make the team at all.
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There have been some impressive showings from K'Lavon Chaisson and Keion White as outside pass rushers. But I'm excited to see how they look against Vikings tackle Brian O'Neill during joint practices. That should let us know if they're really headed for breakout seasons — or if they've just benefited from going against the Patriots O-line.
It looked that way before Friday's preseason opener, but now there's no getting around it. A team that has had such little explosiveness on offense finally has a player who can break through for a big gain even when everything else feels stuck in the mud. That should make a big difference this season and might make Henderson the most exciting player to watch on offense.
THE FIRST TIME HE TOUCHED THE BALL IN THE NFL!!!!@TreVeyonH4 | @NFL
📺: WBZ pic.twitter.com/NcT2a635nx
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 8, 2025
I'm confident at this point that Henderson will get half of the running back snaps this season.
But Vrabel has publicly backed Rhamondre Stevenson several times and seems inclined to at least try out a running back committee.
But if Henderson keeps playing like this (and if Stevenson's ball security continues to be an issue), that could change in a hurry.
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