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Patriots training camp is just around the corner with rookies reporting Friday, and it’s a time for players to make a statement before the start of the regular season.
There will be obvious storylines for New England like Drake Maye competing for the starting job with Jacoby Brissett and how players like Christian Gonzalez continue to get into form after a season-ending injury.
We won’t look into those kinds of players. Instead, we’re looking at five guys who need a strong showing at training camp to justify their spot on the roster. They’re the “what exactly do you bring” kind of guys. Let’s start with the most important position in football.
Bailey Zappe
While Maye and Brissett compete for the starting job, the third quarterback spot is up for grabs between Zappe and Joe Milton III. Zappe took what was effectively third-string reps at minicamp, but Milton was able to show off his big arm which showed why New England took a flyer on him in the sixth round. Zappe built a cult-like following in two seasons with the Patriots with his supporters begging former head coach Bill Belichick to bench Mac Jones for him. Zappe was a spark plug at times, but he largely has been a below-average quarterback when he’s gotten the nod under center. He’ll need to prove he deserves to be the No. 3 QB on the depth chart with a strong outing in training camp.
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JuJu Smith Schuster / Tyquan Thornton
We’re bundling up these two wide receivers because they will be sharing the same goal. Both were underwhelming during their respective Patriots tenures, and the two rookie wide receivers already have more potential to have feature roles than then. Jalen Reagor has a spot on special teams, and newcomer K.J. Osborn is a more accomplished wideout. Smith-Schuster’s knee injury was far more serious than he and the team let on, and he showed zero explosiveness last season. He’ll need to show he can regain his form and be a reliable wideout who can catch at least 70% of the passes thrown to him.
Thornton is on track to join a long list of wide receiver busts. The 2022 second-round pick made waves at the Scouting Combine due to his speed, but he’s yet to show he can do more than run really fast in a straight line. The 23-year-old struggles to create separation at an NFL level and injuries have not helped him maintain a consistent run. This training camp could be his last with New England if he doesn’t show progress.
Vederian Lowe / Chukwuma Okorafor
Head coach Jerod Mayo kept it vague when asked about the idea of free-agent additions. The most glaring need is the offensive line, but neither Mayo or Eliot Wolf seems urgent to fill that need. Lowe and Okorafor are in the running to start at either tackle spot, and you would think that means the coaching staff has complete trust in them. They need to repay that with solid outings in training camp or someone else could come in and take their spot.
Alex Austin
The Patriots have what could be a fearsome secondary. Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones are penciled in as the top-two duo with Marcus Jones in the slot. But depth always is key for cornerback, and training camp is a good opportunity for Austin. The 23-year-old was one of the few bright spots in the second half of last season, and he can continue his breakout if can cement himself as a top-four corner on the Patriots.