What we've learned about the Patriots through 6 training camp practices

New York Times

30-07-2025

FOXBORO, Mass. — At the end of a brutally hot practice Tuesday, quarterback Drake Maye hit receivers Kayshon Boutte and Kendrick Bourne for 5-yard touchdowns in the corner of the end zone, ending things on a high note after some early struggles.
That has been the story of camp for the Patriots: a few really good moments and a few rough ones.
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But rather than zoom in on just one drill or one day, let's reset with the bigger picture in mind. Here are six things we've learned about the Patriots after six training camp practices.
Perhaps this is to be expected. The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator, new offensive tackles and a new No. 1 wide receiver.
If you're an optimist, there have been enough on-the-money throws from Maye to be convinced he can be a top-10 quarterback in the NFL this season. But if you're ready to nitpick and believe the front office didn't do enough this offseason to improve the offense, there have been plenty of struggles to which you can point.
In short, the offense has been inconsistent. At times, the offensive line looks pretty shaky. At times, the bottom of the wide receiver depth chart has struggled. At times (including at Tuesday's practice), Maye's accuracy is an issue. And there have been way too many botched snaps between Maye and his centers, which can be drive-enders.
It's still early for an offense that's learning a new scheme, so it shouldn't be a surprise that consistency has been an issue. All in all, it has been an up-and-down start for the unit.
Pads on, energy up 🔋 pic.twitter.com/8ASGM0kcGC
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 28, 2025
There will be lots of important questions about how the bottom of the depth chart shakes out at wide receiver, but one thing has been clear: Outside of Stefon Diggs, Douglas is the Patriots' best receiver.
The 24-year-old gets more targets from Maye than anyone else and usually is efficient with them. In a Josh McDaniels-led offense that historically has gotten a lot of production from its slot receivers, Douglas could be in line for a big season.
Diggs is the no-doubt No. 1 wideout on this team. But Douglas is the Pats' second-best option. The next question: Who is the No. 3 among Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams and Mack Hollins (who has yet to practice)?
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After revamping the front five last season, the team's first-string offensive line appears to be largely decided. Will Campbell, Cole Strange, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses have been the starters from left to right.
Only one question remains: Can third-round pick Jared Wilson do enough to nab a starting role at left guard or center over Strange or Bradbury?
Wilson has had some nice moments where his athleticism is notable, including impressive one-on-one reps against Milton Williams on Tuesday. But there have been some issues, too, including two fumbled exchanges with Maye.
Much of this will be decided once we see how Wilson fares in the three preseason games (he will probably get snaps at both positions), but he has been trending in the right direction in recent days. Now it's just a question of whether he can overtake Strange or Bradbury.
One of the pre-camp concerns was how the cornerback group would look behind Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis. Relatively quickly, the concern has flipped to the health of those two starters while the reserve corners have played well.
Gonzalez and Davis missed Tuesday's practice because of injuries. That has meant plenty of time for the reserves, and DJ James, Miles Battle and Alex Austin have all taken advantage.
We'll see if that continues. Now, New England just needs to get Gonzalez and Davis healthy and ready for Week 1.
Austin Hooper participated in his first practice of camp Tuesday, but what was telling was how much the Patriots still leaned on multiple-tight-end formations even while he was out.
We know they feel comfortable with their top two tight ends: Hunter Henry and Hooper. But McDaniels kept utilizing big formations even when Hooper was out, which suggests the Patriots will likely lean on a lot of 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) this season.
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That could play to their strengths, too, since it would alleviate any potential concerns about the Nos. 3 and 4 wide receivers on the roster.
Perhaps no player has looked better than I expected than edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson. The 2020 first-round pick is hoping a change of scenery and a bigger opportunity could bring out his best after five seasons in the league have resulted in just 10 sacks.
Keion White and Chaisson have been arguably the team's top pass rushers. Defenders aren't allowed to tackle quarterbacks during practice, so it can be tough to know exactly which plays would have resulted in sacks, but Chaisson has been consistently disrupting the pocket and getting to the QB.
We're just a week in, but Chaisson looks like an under-the-radar candidate to make a big impact for the Patriots this season.