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New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Patriots 53-man roster projection: Where do things stand after the first week of camp?
After four days of practice at the New England Patriots' training camp, it's about time for pads to come on. This week, we'll learn a lot more about the offensive line, which has shown some reasons for concern, even if it's tough to judge the group sans pads. Still, there has been enough to glean from the first few sun-soaked practices to offer up our first roster projection of the summer. There were some particularly tough decisions at running back (do you keep a fullback?), wide receiver (who has justified a spot so far?) and linebacker (has Marte Mapu done enough?). Advertisement Let's dive in. In: Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs Out: Ben Wooldridge No surprises here. It would be a surprise if they kept Wooldridge on the 53-man roster. He's just competing for a spot on the practice squad at this point. So far, it seems like there's been a governor placed on Maye as the new staff prioritizes having him take what the defense gives, even if that's (often) short passes to running backs and tight ends. The question will be when (or if) that changes. The fear is that the O-line is so shaky that the offense has to be based on short passes. In: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson, Lan Larison Out: Brock Lampe, Trayveon Williams, Terrell Jennings A lot of the Patriots' offense so far looks like what you'd expect from a Josh McDaniels-led unit. Maye has been under center a lot. Two tight ends have been used frequently, even with Austin Hooper out. I wanted to put Lampe on the roster as a fullback to bulk up those big formations. But there are too many tough decisions, so Lampe narrowly missed out. In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, CJ Dippre Out: Jaheim Bell, Jack Westover, Gee Scott Jr. There has been a lot of work to go around at tight end with Hooper out. In those sessions, Westover has probably fared the best. But this is a bet that Dippre, an undrafted rookie, can develop. This could also be a position where the Pats look to add someone in free agency after cutdown day when they see who becomes available. In: Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte Out: Kendrick Bourne, Efton Chism, Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, DeMeer Blankumsee, John Jiles, Jeremiah Webb No surprise, but this is the toughest position to project for the Patriots. They could keep as many as seven, with two of Bourne, Chism, Polk and Baker making it. But it's hard for me to put Polk on the roster since he hasn't practiced yet. Same for Chism, who hasn't quite matched his production from the spring, and Bourne, who has been just OK in a group of just-OK receivers. Still, Bourne was probably my last player cut in this projection, and maybe I should have put him on with one fewer linebacker. At the top of the depth chart, Diggs and Douglas have both been excellent, while the Patriots could use another receiver separating from the pack. .@DrakeMaye2 🎯 @popshotta3 — New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 26, 2025 In: Will Campbell, Cole Strange, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Jared Wilson, Demontrey Jacobs, Caedan Wallace, Marcus Bryant, Tyrese Robinson Out: Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, Jack Conley, Layden Robinson, Ben Brown, Yasir Durant, Mehki Butler There were some tough decisions here, too. So far, it looks like Jacobs is the swing tackle, with Wallace getting some work inside and Lowe being injured. So that gets Jacobs on the team. Advertisement The bigger question comes at backup guard. Wallace working there complicates things and could be a sign of what the coaching staff thinks of Sow and Robinson. In: Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Jaquelin Roy, Harold Landry, Anfernee Jennings, K'Lavon Chaisson, Bradyn Swinson Out: Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Elijah Ponder, Jahvaree Ritzie, Isaiah Iton, David Olajiga, Truman Jones The interior of the defensive line looks solid with Williams and Barmore, plus Tonga getting plenty of meaningful reps. The edge rushers are the ones who could make or break this defense. White and Landry are probably the top guys, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Chaisson keeps playing well and pushes for playing time. In: Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jahlani Tavai, Jack Gibbens, Marte Mapu Out: Cam Riley, Monty Rice This group might be a bit bloated, but this is an important spot for special teams contributions, so we kept five instead of another receiver (Bourne). Still, Mapu would be the one to swap out for Bourne if you want more help at receiver. Mapu has spent most of his time at linebacker after being a hybrid safety/linebacker the last two years. He was beaten cleanly by Henderson during one rep at practice on Saturday. As for the top group, Elliss is pushing to get the starting reps alongside Spillane. In: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Kobee Minor Out: Isaiah Bolden, Brandon Crossley, Marcellas Dial, DJ James, Miles Battle, Jordan Polk Another cornerback would be nice on this roster, but it would have to come at the expense of someone on the D-line. The battle for the fifth spot here is wide open. Bolden could nab it if he can become the team's kick or punt returner, but for now, I have Henderson as the kick returner with Jones returning punts. Advertisement In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marcus Epps Out: Dell Pettus, Josh Minkins This is probably the team's best overall position for a third straight year, especially if Dugger can return to his heights of 2023. He'll be a starter next to Peppers, but Woodson, Epps and Hawkins provide plenty of high-end depth and should also contribute on special teams. In: Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby, Brendan Schooler Out: John Parker Romo It would be a big surprise if Romo wins the kicking job, so this quartet seems pretty safe. (Photo of Kendrick Bourne: Kris Craig / The Providence Journal / USA Today via Imagn Images)
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Patriots rookie tackle is off to a good start
The spring isn't optimal for offensive linemen. During OTAs and minicamp, they're not allowed to block. No one's wearing pads. Contact in these practices is prohibited. It's tough to gauge whether an offensive lineman is truly capable of his job. Advertisement That doesn't mean Will Campbell didn't learn anything this offseason. The Patriots first-round pick finished up his first offseason workout program and says he heads into the summer with momentum. The Patriots hope the fourth overall pick will solve their problems at left tackle. Campbell believes he's off to a good start. 'I've gotten more comfortable as the days have gone with the playbook and scheme,' Campbell said. 'It's only going to keep getting better. I keep getting these reps and keep getting this stuff under my belt, it's going to help me move along.' The Patriots wasted no time throwing Campbell into the fire. The LSU product was immediately placed at the team's top left tackle spot to protect Drake Maye's blindside. The rookie spent most of the offseason working next to left guard Cole Strange, but the Patriots did rotate several other players in at that position. Advertisement The team believes they've made the proper steps to solving a long-standing issue. Last season, the Patriots allowed 52 sacks. That was the sixth most in team history and the most sacks allowed by a Patriots team since 1999. The team's sack totals have risen over the last three years – 41 (2022), 48 (2023), and 52. Considering protecting Maye is the priority, the Patriots knew they needed wholesale changes. The team signed veteran right tackle Morgan Moses and veteran center Garrett Bradbury before drafting Campbell with the fourth pick. Despite not being able to practice in pads, Campbell said he felt like this spring set a good foundation. Advertisement 'You have to come out here and treat it like it's a padded practice,' Campbell said. 'This is where the details matter the most when you can key in on those types of things. I'd say just coming out every day and trying to be intentional and find two or three things from the previous practice that I'm trying to grow on, on the next.' The Patriots have high hopes for Campbell. The team believes he'll make an immediate impact and solve one of their biggest problems. The rookie said he plans on sticking around New England for most of the break and feels confident heading into his first training camp. 'Whenever you get into a new place, it's a different thing than I'm used to, so really getting those reps, getting more experience day after day,' Campbell said. 'I can feel myself improving practice after practice. That's the thing I've got to come out and get better every day. I feel like I've done that.' More Patriots Content Advertisement Read the original article on MassLive.
