As the entire Patriots roster was in Foxborough for last week’s mandatory minicamp, the 2024 team began to take shape.
Rookies worked alongside veterans, and while there’s a long way to go before Week 1 in Cincinnati, some clarity started to come to the depth chart. So without further ado, let’s see where things stand after wrapping minicamp up:
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Quarterback
Locks: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye
Others: Bailey Zappe, Joe Milton III
A month ago, Milton seemed like a lock, but Jerod Mayo has walked back what he said about only carrying three quarterbacks in training camp. Now the plan is to have four in July. That could have just been said to appease Zappe, or it could be the coach wavering a bit on his third-string quarterback. Milton is raw and received few reps in team drills that were open to the media, but would still appear to have the inside track given his just-drafted status.
Running back
Locks: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson
Others: Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty, Deshaun Fenwick, Terrell Jennings
The lack of established depth here is stark, but running backs coach Taylor Embree was singing the praises of one under-the-radar player this spring.
“Kevin Harris has done a great job taking the stuff we’re going over in the meetings, working out here, and then translating to the team periods,” Embree said, while noting his routes have gotten “sharper” in the passing game.
Tight end
Locks: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper
Others: Mitchell Wilcox, Jaheim Bell, La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren
The battle for New England’s third tight end spot has flown under the radar, but should intensify at training camp. It could come down to what Mayo wants philosophically. With Henry and Hooper in the fold, are they looking for more of a conventional blocking tight end, or someone like Bell, who played a lot of H-back at Florida State?
Wide receivers
Locks: Kendrick Bourne, K.J. Osborn, DeMario Douglas, Javon Baker, Ja’Lynn Polk
Others: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, Jalen Reagor, Kawaan Baker, JaQuae Jackson, David Wallis
The competition for the final wide receiver spot will be one of the most compelling in Foxborough this summer. Mayo and Eliot Wolf already cut bait with DeVante Parker and ate some dead cap to move on. Will the same fate befall Smith-Schuster? If he doesn’t step up, the veteran’s days in Foxborough could be numbered.
Offensive line
Locks: David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Mike Onwenu, Cole Strange, Chukwuma Okorafor, Layden Robinson, Caedan Wallace
Others: Nick Leverett, Calvin Anderson, Atonio Mafi, Michael Jordan, Tyrone Wheatley, Jake Andrews, Vederian Lowe, Zuri Henry, Charles Turner III
It was moderately surprising to see Onwenu kick back to right guard at minicamp, but Mayo has stressed that he’s searching for the best combination, however that forms. They’ll likely continue to tinker, as there’s a good chance Strange will begin the summer (and perhaps the season) on the PUP list.
“The best players will play. That’s how I think about it, it’s all competition and we’re going to try to put the best five out there,” Mayo said.
Right now, the best five might be (left to right): Okorafor, Sow, Andrews, Onwenu, Wallace, but they still haven’t even started hitting yet.
Defensive tackle
Locks: Deatrich Wise, Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Keion White
Others: Jeremiah Pharms, Daniel Ekuale, Armon Watts, Sam Roberts, Trysten Hill
Things are getting a little more interesting with this group given Godchaux’s apparent hold in. Listed at 15 pounds heavier than the next closest defensive lineman, nobody on the roster can really replicate Godchaux’s skill-set. If he opts to play hardball in training camp, there’s not an obvious next nosetackle up.
Edge
Locks: Matthew Judon, Anfernee Jennings, Joshua Uche
Others: Oshane Ximines, William Bradley-King, John Morgan III, Jotham Russell
Somewhat surprisingly, Judon isn’t making a big deal about his below-market-value contract. On “The Rich Shertenlieb Show,” the four-time Pro Bowler called his apparent hold-in last summer “trash” and said he wouldn’t be going that route again.
“Right now, I’m just gonna get ready to play,” Judon said. “You kind of keep throwing tantrums, tantrums, tantrums, and then you don’t come out there and do what you’re supposed to do? It gets old real fast.”
Linebacker
Locks: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Sione Takitaki
Others: Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris, Raekwon McMillan, Steele Chambers, Jontrey Hunter
This group has been banged up — Takitaki and Tavai were both sidelined for spring practices — but Mayo expects them to be ready to roll for training camp. After enduring brutal injury luck, it’ll be fascinating to see if McMillan can return to form and push for a roster spot. He’s still just 28, but has twice torn his ACL and most recently tore his Achilles.
Cornerback
Locks: Jonathan Jones, Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones
Others: Alex Austin, Marco Wilson, Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial Jr., Shaun Wade, Azizi Hearn, Kaleb Ford-Dement, Mikey Victor
With a lot of young depth, the cornerback competition promises to be one of the best at training camp. Austin appears to have the inside track to a roster spot — he was strong in December and excellent in passing camps this spring — but it’s really wide open.
Safety
Locks: Jabrill Peppers, Kyle Dugger, Marte Mapu
Others: Joshuah Bledsoe, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus
The hybrid Mapu may find a home as a coverage linebacker, which would open the door for an extra safety to sneak onto the roster. Or the Patriots could opt to move one of their corners back to center field; Wade is somebody that’s already played both positions.
Specialists
Locks: Brenden Schooler, Joe Cardona, Bryce Baringer
Others: Chad Ryland, Joey Slye
Ryland clearly has a stronger leg than Slye, but the veteran journeyman out-kicked him in open practices this spring. If that trend continues, the Patriots will have a new placekicker this fall, especially now that big legs aren’t required with the new kickoff rules.
