Karen Guregian: 5 reasons to be encouraged by Patriots after early camps; 5 reasons to worry

Expectations continue to rise when it comes to the 2025 Patriots.

Their efforts in the recently completed offseason camps did nothing to damper enthusiasm over the team.

Not to be a naysayer, but it’s still early, and while watching Mike Vrabel put the team through the paces whet the appetite, we really haven’t seen anything yet.

Patriots DE Keion White had the proper perspective about the early camps.

“You don’t know where you are until you put the pads on,” White said Tuesday. “You don’t know until it gets real.”

He’s right.

We don’t know yet if the offensive line can hold-up when the pass rush comes in earnest.

We still aren’t sure if short-armed Will Campbell truly handle NFL pass rushers.

And will Kyle Williams and TreVeyon Henderson have the same burst when they’re in pads instead of shorts, getting popped off the line?

That said, there are still some things you can discern about a team, and about its players, in non-padded practices.

So after watching a handful of Patriots OTA practices and a condensed version of minicamp, there’s elements to be encouraged about, and others not so much.

5 reasons for optimism

1. Stefon Diggs

Seven months removed from ACL surgery on his knee, it’s truly remarkable how good Diggs looks when he’s on the field. Watching how well he changed direction this early in the rehab process, how much speed he exhibited is a bit mind-blowing.

Whether he’s available for the season-opener, or the team takes a more cautious approach is an important storyline to monitor during training camp.

Off-field issues aside, Diggs has been a model citizen when he’s been at the workouts.

He’s engaged, invested in helping the younger receivers, has been joined at the hip with Josh McDaniels going over plays. He also seems to have hit it off with Drake Maye.

By the sound of it, he had Maye at hello.

“He seems like an awesome teammate. He’s my locker mate, one down from beside me. We talk all the time,” Maye said of Diggs. He’s a veteran in this league. He’s made a lot of plays, played in a lot of big-time games. Just an awesome voice for the receiver room, for this offense.”

2. Drake Maye

How can there be optimism with a quarterback who threw four picks the first open OTA practice?

Because it’s a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world. Since that forgettable practice, Maye has looked better and better each time out.

The first mandatory mini-camp practice was his best, and it was especially encouraging because Maye seemed to have a better handle on Josh McDaniels offense.

It’s still not perfect. But Maye quickly got up off the mat, brushed himself off, and has been making strides ever since.

“He does a really good job of listening,” McDaniels said. “When you go out there the next time and see the same kind of look or the same problem the defense presents to you, he’s a quick study on that, and that’s a good thing for a young player.”

His comfort level growing. Maye even told the media he didn’t want to take a break.

“I’m starting to find a stride,” he said. “Bummed we’re about to leave.”

3. Offensive rookies

Will Campbell, TreVeyon Henderson and undrafted rookie Efton Chisolm III have stood out in the early camps.

While it’s too early to know if Campbell will be able to handle NFL pass rushers, his footwork is obvious. He held his own working against Keion White and K’Lavon Chaisson. He didn’t win every battle, but never looked overmatched against outside moves, or spin moves to the inside. If he got beaten, he worked to get better against that particular move the next time out.

Also love how he’s embraced Morgan Moses’ offensive line tutorial sessions after workouts.

Second-round RB Henderson showed incredible burst and elusiveness with his quick moves. He caught the ball well, and came as advertised with his ability in blitz pick-up.

Running backs coach Tony Dews is already a fan.

“He’s a smart, smart football player. He understands football, he understands concepts, and we are trying to take advantage of his skill set,” running backs coach Tony Dews said. “We knew he had a specific skill set when he was drafted, and we’re trying to get out of him what we can get out of him. Whatever we ask him to do, he’s been willing to do it.”

Undrafted Chisolm, meanwhile, has been the darling of camp. His route-running and ability to make quick cuts were noticeable. He took advantage of receivers (Diggs, Mack Hollins) being out.

He was more productive earlier, than late in minicamp.

Third-round rookie Kyle Williams has flashed at times, but hasn’t been as consistent as the rest.

4. Defensive front

The group up front looks like it’s going to be a formidable force. Typically, Harold Landry, Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, and Keion White represented the front-four on the first unit.

Barmore, who dealt with blood clots last season, looks like he’s trimmed down, and says he feels great. That was evident watching him pursue plays during practice. He and Williams should generate a ton of pressure from the interior on passing downs.

White has been inspired with the new coaching staff, while Landry said he’s been energized coming to New England and re-uniting with Vrabel.

“This is an exciting group to be around and I’m excited going into the season because you look at it, and you just feel the excitement,” Landry said. “You go out there knowing everyone has that play-making ability. That’s exciting to be a part of.”

5. Mike Vrabel

He’s vocal, been involved with every group, takes part in the drills and engages one-on-one with players. His hands-on approach has clicked with players.

Beyond that, the practices were fiercely competitive and full of energy. Vrabel had them going at a good clip.

There also isn’t much question who’s in charge.

“The culture’s different here,” DeMario “Pop” Douglas said after an OTA practice. “I love it. Vrabel’s a players’ coach, and he’s on the field with us. We’ve got a head coach that’s on the field with us, man. It’s different. You can tell he’s very in tune to what we’re doing and wants us to be better.”

Vrabel’s handling of Diggs, who posted a questionable party video on social media, has been interesting.

Vrabel hasn’t been pleased by Diggs off-field approach, not making smart decisions and missing workouts, even if voluntary. And based on remarks made by the receiver during the week, the message was received.

5 reasons to worry

1. Stefon Diggs

He obviously won a spot in Vrabel’s dog house with the viral video showing him on a party boat with bikini-clad women, flashing an unidentified and highly suspicious pink substance.

While Diggs has impressed during practices he’s attended, there’s not much doubt he’s a wild card in terms of toeing the line.

Airing that video wasn’t smart.

It remains to be seen how much of a disruptive force he’ll be, or how much Vrabel is willing to put up with.

2. Left guard

Having a question mark at an offensive line position is never a good thing.

After placing G Wes Schweitzer on the reserve/retired list, the Pats starting left guard is an unknown heading into training camp.

Schweitzer was in the mix along with fourth-year pro Cole Strange, so the veteran being placed on the reserve list merely provides more uncertainty.

Strange, who worked out at center last year, now appears to be the leader in the clubhouse.

Beyond Strange, tackle Caedan Wallace has taken some reps at left guard.

We’ve also seen Sidy Sow, Layden Robinson, Jared Wilson, Tyrese Robinson and undrafted rookie Jack Conley.

Ultimately, they’re hoping for someone to emerge.

3. Terrell Williams

Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams has been away from the team due to a health issue.

It’s unknown when he’ll return.

He’s been communicating via Zoom. In the interim, inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has taken on more responsibility.

“I’m just an extension of T and Vrabes and echoing that message to the unit,” Kuhr said during his recent media availability. “T and I meet every single day, we talk every single day, we Zoom. We’re always on the same page. Really it’s just my voice is the one doing it. There’s a little extra stuff with how practice goes. But, for the most part, I’m just an extension of him.”

Kuhr was actually an offensive coordinator at Texas State before making the switch to defense after joining the Tennessee Titans. While Williams believes Kuhr is going to be “a superstar in this league” he has no experience as a defensive coordinator.

Of course, Mike Vrabel is still around to oversee. It’s just not an optimal situation.

4. Anfernee Jennings

Jennings, a 2020 third-round pick out of Alabama, took some time to develop, but in recent years, emerged as one of the NFL’s better run defenders. Outside of Christian Gonzalez, the bright spots on defense have been few and far between in recent years.

Jennings, an outside linebacker, has performed well and helped keep the unit afloat.

During OTAs and minicamp, however, Jennings appears to have fallen way down the depth chart.

He’s been nowhere near the first unit. Or the second unit.

His precipitous drop is curious, to say the least. He doesn’t fall into the leader category, with most captains from the recent past being shipped out.

Based on his usage, or lack thereof, Jennings could be a prime cut candidate.

5. Attendance

While Stefon Diggs’ absence from the voluntary workouts has gotten most of the ink, there was another high profile player who also skipped a few of the workouts.

Carlton Davis III, who received a huge contract (3 years, $54 million with a $16.5 million signing bonus) to play for the Patriots, wasn’t around much.

He and Christian Gonzalez figure to be one of the best cornerback duos in the league. Gonzalez, in fact, has arguably been the best player during the early camps.

Up until minicamp, Davis was largely invisible.

His absence, even during voluntary workouts, isn’t a good look especially going to a new team, and being paid a fortune.

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