Where Patriots rookies stand in first week of training camp
The Patriots’ rookie class is off to a hot start in training camp.
The group has been more involved than most of the team’s sophomore players early in the summer practice sessions.
The team has 11 draft picks and 16 more undrafted free agents competing in training camp, with rookies making up almost 30% of the 91-man roster.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson has been pleased with how his rookie group has performed.
“I feel like the Patriots just put together a great rookie class, and so I’m excited to continue to work with those guys,” he said Saturday.
Let’s go player by player to assess their status on the Patriots’ roster and depth chart.
OT Will Campbell
The 2025 fourth-overall pick has taken nearly all of the Patriots’ first-team reps at left tackle. There was only a brief moment in Friday’s walk-through that Demontrey Jacobs spent time at the position.
Campbell looks the part so far, but we’ll have a much better idea of where he stands after the Patriots strap on the pads next week. To this point, it would be a major surprise if anyone other than Campbell was the team’s Week 1 starter on quarterback Drake Maye’s blindside.
RB TreVeyon Henderson
It would be fair to categorize Henderson, the 38th overall pick, as the Patriots’ third-string running back to this point behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. That has not kept Henderson from receiving snaps with Maye and the rest of the first-string offense, however.
Henderson looks like the fastest player on the roster for the Patriots, though he has had a couple of issues with drops early in his rookie practices.
WR Kyle Williams
Williams, a third-round pick, has received plenty of snaps with Maye, but he’s usually coming off the sideline and subbing in for Kayshon Boutte. Williams made one of the highlight plays of camp, snaring a contested catch over top cornerback Christian Gonzalez on Day 1. He had a drop on Day 2 and was held catchless on two targets on Day 4.
Williams is at least in the running for a top wide receiver spot in this offense. At this point, he has to beat out Boutte, but Mack Hollins could also make a push when he returns from the PUP list.
OL Jared Wilson
Wilson, like Williams, isn’t featured in the Patriots’ top offense, but coaches are clearly giving him every opportunity to earn a starting role. Wilson, another third-round pick, has subbed in for Garrett Bradbury at center and Cole Strange at left guard. While it’s not time to pencil in Wilson for a Week 1 starting role just yet, it could get to that point at either position as we get closer to September.
S Craig Woodson
Woodson, a fourth-rounder, has primarily been working with backups, but he did get reps with the starting defense Saturday in place of Jabrill Peppers.
Woodson made a nice play on the ball in Day 1 of camp, breaking up a pass from Joshua Dobbs, but wide receiver Kendrick Bourne made a highlight grab, snagging the deflected ball out of the air.
He’s a nice fit if the Patriots want to deploy a traditional free safety.
DT Joshua Farmer
The fourth-round pick out of Florida State has mostly run with the second-team defense, though he has seen reps with the first-team unit in three-man fronts.
It appears for now that Farmer will be a backup option behind starters Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. Khyiris Tonga is also above Farmer on the depth chart.
EDGE Bradyn Swinson
Among top rookies, Swinson, a fifth-round pick, is further down the depth chart.
He primarily works in the third-string/practice squad group. Swinson will likely still make the roster, but he’s behind Harold Landry, Keion White and K’Lavon Chaisson. Players like Anfernee Jennings and Truman Jones are also repping above him.
K Andres Borregales
The Miami product and sixth-round pick is the favorite in the kicking competition over Parker Romo. Borregales was the better kicker during OTAs and minicamp, though he did have a miss in Thursday’s practice. He hit from 50 and 47 yards on field goals Saturday but missed an extra point.
OT Marcus Bryant
With Vederian Lowe on the PUP list, Bryant has been repping as the Patriots’ backup left tackle behind Campbell.
It appears that Demontrey Jacobs is the favorite to serve as the Patriots’ swing tackle this season, but it’s clear that coaches like Bryant based on how many opportunities he’s seeing with the second-team unit.
LS Julian Ashby
Ashby has no competition so far in training camp.
CB Kobee Minor
Minor, this year’s Mr. Irrelevant, has worked as an outside cornerback on the third-team unit/practice squad so far. He could have an uphill battle for a roster spot. Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Alex Austin, D.J. James and Miles Battle are repping above him.
UDFAs
QB Ben Wooldridge is taking third-team reps behind Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs … RB Lan Larison has a shot at a roster spot behind Stevenson, Gibson and Henderson. He has seen some work with Maye … Brock Lampe is the top fullback on the roster when the Patriots go into 21 personnel … WR Demeer Blankumsee has worked out of the slot behind DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism … WR Efton Chism is currently the backup slot receiver, though we’ll see if that changes when Ja’Lynn Polk returns to action … WR Jeremiah Webb works on the third team as an outside receiver … TE CJ Dippre and TE Gee Scott Jr. are in a crowded group of tight ends behind current top options Hunter Henry and Jack Westover. Austin Hooper remains on the PUP list … OL Mekhi Butler currently appears to be a fourth-string option at guard … OT Jack Conley has worked as the team’s third-string right tackle … DT Jahvaree Ritzie is an undersized third-string defensive tackle … EDGE Elijah Ponder is also working with the third team … LB Cam Riley has seen some work with the backup defense … CB Brandon Crossley has been limited to third-team reps … S Josh Minkins remains on the non-football injury list … CB Jordan Polk is a slot cornerback on the third-string unit.
