Who’s rising, falling on depth chart?
New England Patriots
Each A.J. Brown and Christian Gonzalez have lived as much as their billing as elite skills thus far throughout camp.
By means of 11 whole practices thus far throughout coaching camp, a number of gamers on the Patriots’ roster have made compelling instances for spots on New England’s 53-man roster, whereas others are sliding additional down on New England’s depth chart.
Drake Maye has largely been dialed in because the begin of camp, even when Thursday’s session did finish with a pair of pricey interceptions throughout the group’s two-minute drill.
However, how has the remainder of New England’s roster fared because the Patriots brace for his or her preseason opener subsequent week towards the Colts?
Right here’s a take a look at some early standouts and disappointments by means of the primary two-plus weeks of coaching camp.
STOCK UP
A.J. Brown, WR
Had we dropped a inventory report final week, New England’s WR1 seemingly would have been both holding regular or trending downward after struggling to construct a powerful rapport with Maye.
That isn’t the case now.
New England’s high offseason pickup has regarded the half because the dynamic, franchise wideout that the Patriots had been hoping would elevate an already explosive offense transferring ahead — with A.J. Brown showcasing his elite first step and different route tree as a reliable goal for Maye.
His 1-on-1 battles with Christian Gonzalez have been one of many highlights of coaching camp thus far, drawing reward from each Mike Vrabel and several other of their teammates for elevating the aggressive ambiance in Foxborough.
Dre’Mont Jones, Edge
New England’s pass-rushing corps stands as one of many high query marks coming into the 2026 season. Not solely did simply six NFL groups report fewer sacks (35.0) than the Patriots final season, however the Patriots misplaced Okay’Lavon Chaisson in free company and have but to get Harold Landry on the observe subject this summer time.
However Jones — who signed a three-year, $36.5 million contract this spring – has undoubtedly regarded the half as far as one of many key fixtures on New England’s protection.
It’s no shock that Jones is repping with the first-team protection this summer time, however his physicality has been evident — particularly in 1-on-1 battles the place he has ragdolled a number of offensive linemen. He needs to be a favourite of Vrabel and defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr.
Andy Borregales, Okay
Andy Borregales didn’t precisely have a number of stress positioned upon him this summer time with no different kicker on the roster to problem him.
However, the second-year professional has not wanted to depend on any inner competitors to raise his recreation, with the 2025 sixth-round decide routinely changing on his field-goal makes an attempt throughout observe. He went 7-for-7 on makes an attempt Tuesday, together with a 54-yard subject purpose to shut out a two-minute drill.
Will Campbell, LT
It’s been an encouraging begin to camp for Will Campbell, who — past a victory from Jones throughout a 1-on-1 drill — has nearly held his personal in each matchup thus far this summer time.
A second-year leap for Campbell can be a welcome sight for New England, though it’s price noting that the fourth decide within the 2025 NFL Draft didn’t participate in aggressive drills on Thursday whereas sporting a brace.
Mack Hollins, WR
Hollins has flown below the radar at instances this summer time in comparison with different Patriots wideouts like Brown and Kayshon Boutte. However, the 32-year-old veteran has began to actually discover his footing during the last week, stringing collectively some sturdy practices.
He’s been a reliable deep-threat goal for each Maye and Tommy DeVito, whereas his measurement (6-foot-4) and blocking capacity make him a participant who ought to have an outlined position within the Patriots’ crowded wideout room.
Terrell Jennings, RB
There haven’t actually been too many standout performances so removed from New England’s operating backs throughout camp.
However, Jennings appears to have an early benefit within the ongoing battle for the third operating again spot behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
Since coming back from the non-football damage/sickness record earlier this week, Jennings has routinely earned reps with the second-team offense and high punt group — pushing different choices like Jam Miller and Lan Larison additional down the depth chart.
Gabe Jacas, Edge
This one could be a bit reactionary, provided that Gabe Jacas solely returned to the observe subject this week after an prolonged contract holdout and time spent on the non-football damage/sickness record.
However, New England’s 2025 second-round decide has made his presence felt thus far — bowling over outdoors linebackers coach Mike Smith in a pass-rush drill earlier than getting some reps with the first-team protection on Thursday.
He has to make up for loads of misplaced time, however Jacas’ preliminary burst and athleticism are fairly evident.
Chad Muma, LB
Whereas undrafted free agent Khalil Jacobs has additionally popped at instances, Chad Muma seems to be the chief within the clubhouse on the subject of shoring up the third linebacker spot on the roster behind Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss.
Whereas he’s primarily been on the second unit, Muma has taken the sector with New England’s projected starters any time they’ve referred to as for 3 linebackers.
Muma — a 2022 third-round pick of Wyoming — is an instinctive linebacker who may carve out an identical position as Jack Gibbens final season.
Marcus Bryant, OT
With Campbell sidelined on Thursday, Marcus Bryant stepped in because the Patriots’ beginning left deal with and held his personal, with the 2025 seventh-round decide persevering with to indicate some upside at an space of the depth chart that might run into some main points if accidents sprout up.
The 6-foot-7 deal with may very well be referred to as upon this season if the damage bug bites Campbell or Morgan Moses.
Christian Gonzalez, CB
There’s but to be a decision to the continued contract talks between Gonzalez and the Patriots.
However, the star cornerback hasn’t let that stalemate have an effect on his participation throughout camp or his standing as one of many high defensive backs within the recreation.
He’s been as marketed as a sticky cornerback who has made life depressing for no matter wideout has been matched up towards him throughout group drills.
Karon Prunty, CB
With veteran Carlton Davis sidelined for greater than every week with an damage, Karon Prunty — a 2026 fifth-round pick of Wake Forest — has seen extra reps handed his means.
For now, it seems as if Prunty is carving out a spot because the fourth or fifth nook on New England’s depth chart, with the 6-foot-1 defensive again displaying some sturdy on-ball instincts and taking part in with a bodily edge.
Kayshon Boutte, WR
It looks like the Patriots are nonetheless in search of a correct commerce suitor for Boutte, who has seen a few of his reps lower during the last week as Brown has gained extra traction in New England’s offense.
However full credit score to Boutte, who retains on making performs down the sector and showcasing some sturdy chemistry with Maye.
Boutte is probably not a featured participant on New England’s offense this season if his snaps are allotted towards Brown and Romeo Doubs. However, the Patriots additionally shouldn’t deal away Boutte for pennies on the greenback, given each his age (24) and robust rapport with Maye.
STOCK DOWN
Kyle Williams, WR
After flashing a few of his high-end pace and big-play capabilities final yr, Kyle Williams was anticipated to take one other main step ahead in 2026, probably serving as an in-house alternative for Boutte.
However, the 2025 third-round decide has but to pop thus far in camp, and even logged some reps with the third-team offense over the previous couple of days. That doesn’t bode nicely for a younger participant who’s already making an attempt to face out in a crowded receiver room.
Caleb Lomu, OT
It was a promising begin to camp for Caleb Lomu, New England’s first-round decide within the 2026 NFL Draft.
However, the gifted deal with has seemingly hit a rookie wall throughout the canine days of the summer time, shedding decisively in some latest 1-on-1 drills whereas additionally getting leapfrogged by Marcus Bryant on Friday as Campbell’s alternative.
The 2026 season was anticipated to be extra of a redshirt season for Lomu. However, if accidents sprout up, will probably be fascinating to see how prepared the younger deal with might be for a featured position.
Lan Larison, RB
There was a number of hype rooted in Lan Larison’s recreation going into camp, given each his versatile ability set and the spectacular manufacturing he put forth as a dynamic operating again at UC Davis. However Larison has seen his reps dip as of late, with a pricey fumble final week additionally additional hurting his inventory as he battles towards the likes of Terrell Jennings, Jam Miller, and Myles Montgomery.
Caedan Wallace, G
The 2024 third-round decide hasn’t made a lot of an affect thus far throughout camp. After getting moved from deal with to protect final yr, Caedan Wallace has primarily repped with extra of the third-team offense in camp — with Vrabel noting that Lomu may even earn some seems at guard to handle what seems to be a fairly skinny positional group after projected starters Michael Onwenu and Alijah Vera-Tucker.
Romeo Doubs, WR
Doubs’ well being is price monitoring, as New England’s free-agent pickup has missed the final two days of observe.
However, the previous Packers wideout — whereas regular — hasn’t precisely popped thus far in camp. He’s had his fair proportion of targets, however he hasn’t been as explosive as different pass-catchers like Brown and Boutte.
Doubs may very well be an interesting choice to make the most of within the slot as a participant with a number of YAC capabilities. Nonetheless, it seems as if that position will go to DeMario Douglas, who has primarily operated out of the slot thus far this summer time.
Doubs nonetheless has loads of potential on this Patriots offense, particularly with Maye and Josh McDaniels on the helm. However, will probably be fascinating to see what his position finally might be as soon as we get to the autumn.
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