Some unheralded Patriots are trending up after two weeks of training camp.
The first two weeks of New England Patriots training camp are in the books, and they have been eventful. The team of new head coach Mike Vrabel held nine total practices, including four sessions in pads. Along the way, the proverbial cream has began rising to the top: the picture is far clearer now than it was at the start of camp.
Of course, process is a two-way street at this point of the year. While there have been some clear risers who have managed to improve their standing on the roster relative to offseason expectations, there are also those who are trending in a different direction.
With Week 3 of camp set to start Monday, and the Washington Commanders in town on Wednesday for a joint session, let’s assess those movements. Time for a stock report.
Stock up
WR Kayshon Boutte: During the offseason, there was speculation Boutte might end up as the odd man out at wide receiver. That might still happen when all is said and done, but he is certainly not going down without a fight: the third-year man has been a top option at the X-receiver spot through two weeks of camp, and at worst is looking like a top four receiver for the team at the moment. The question is whether he will be able to fend off any challengers to retain a spot in the rotation and, by extension, on the team.
WR Javon Baker: Baker’s underwhelming rookie season has been well-documented, and the 2024 fourth-round draft selection seemed to pick up where he left off this spring. However, he has started moving in a promising direction and into the roster conversation; he has made his fair share of big plays this summer, including with Drake Maye at quarterback. Baker still has ways to go, but he has flashed potential time and again even though consistency remains a question.
G Jared Wilson: A third-round draft pick by the Patriots this spring, Wilson was limited during the offseason but has made the most of every opportunity given. As a consequence, he first played himself into a rotation at guard and center, and early in Week 2 took over as the team’s starting left guard. His job is not set in stone, as pointed out by Mike Vrabel, but it certainly seems like it is his to lose.
C Ben Brown: A 10-game starter for the Patriots after his arrival midway through the 2024 season, Brown threw largely under the radar up until the introduction of full pads. From that point on, however, the 27-year-old has jumped up the depth chart: with Garrett Bradbury nursing an injury, he took over as the starting center in Week 2. A backup role still seems more likely at the end of the day, but he has certainly thrown his hat into the ring.
DT Khyiris Tonga: When the Patriots signed Tonga in free agency, they already tipped their hand that he would make the roster — a $2.1 million contract including $1 million in guarantees speaks a clear language. How substantial his role would end up being, however, was unclear at that point. Turns out, quite ab it: Tonga looks like a starter-caliber option at the heart of the defensive line capable of eating space versus the run.
ED Truman Jones: An offseason award winner, Jones has slowly but steadily moved himself into roster contention. He has seen increased reps with the top-level defense with Keion White missing time due to injury, and also showcased his disruptive potential in 1-on-1s. The 2024 in-season signing has started making a name for himself in a competitive edge room.
CB D.J. James: The top of the Patriots’ cornerback group has suffered some injuries, with both Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis missing time. This, in turn, has allowed some of the lower-level players on the roster to climb up the depth chart. Nobody has made a faster climb than D.J. James. Another in-season addition last year, the 2024 sixth-round draft pick has seen plenty of starter reps on the outside and looks like the current No. 4 at that spot behind Gonzalez, Davis and Alex Austin.
Among other players worth mentioning as risers are Stefon Diggs, who is looking smooth coming off a torn ACL and will be a go-to player for Drake Maye this summer, and tackle-turned-guard Caedan Wallace. On defense, meanwhile, K’Lavon Chaisson has been arguably the team’s most disruptive pass rusher so far and living up to his low-risk, high-reward contract.
Stock down
WR Kendrick Bourne: There was optimism that Bourne would be in line for a major bounceback with Josh McDaniels returning to the fold as offensive coordinator. However, three seasons have passed since the pair last worked together and it seems that the old magic is not back at this point. In fact, Bourne failed to catch even a single pass from Drake Maye in competitive team drills before Friday’s in-stadium scrimmage.
OL Cole Strange: Strange spent the entire spring and early portion of training camp as the starting left guard, but he was demoted in favor of rookie Jared Wilson after full pads came on. By the end of Week 2, he served as what was effectively the third-string center — a swift and disappointing fall from grace for the former first-round draft pick.
S Dell Pettus: An undrafted rookie at the time, Pettus was one of the pleasant surprises for the 2024 Patriots. This year, however, his story might be coming to an end: not only has he played a marginal role on defense, the team is also recruiting other options — such as Jaylinn Hawkins and Marte Mapu — to take over as personal punt protector.
The group of fallers also could include some of the injured players, with cornerback Carlton Davis near the top of the list. His stop on the roster and eventual role as CB2 opposite Christian Gonzalez, however, is secure. The same cannot be said for linebacker Jahlani Tavai and offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, the latter of whom remaining on the physically unable to perform list.