by A redesigned Patriots roster is beginning to take shape after three weeks of training camp.
Some wide receivers, such as Kayshon Boutte, are already making a name for themselves as starters for New England, while the team’s starting offensive line, which consists of Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, and Jared Wilson, is standing out from the competition.
However, with a number of players either making big pushes or falling down the depth chart in recent days, New England does have a number of question marks on its roster across several roster segments.
Here are some of the best training-camp clashes currently going on on Mike Vrabel’s team as the Patriots prepare for their preseason game against the Vikings in Minnesota on Saturday.
The kicker competition
Many anticipated that crowded positional groups like wide receiver and the offensive line would be the focus of the top camp clashes in Foxborough.
Rather, the most interesting fight in New England thus far has been on two kickers, Andy Borregales and John Parker Romo, who have both apparently refused to concede ground in their fight for the starting position.
Borregales was the clear favorite going into camp because the Patriots selected him with a sixth-round pick, making him the first kicker off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Up until now, though, Romo has been the more reliable kicker. Romo has made 33 of 37 field goals at camp, which is 89.1% of his total, despite both players having a tough workout on Monday in Foxborough. Following a successful conversion on five of six attempts at Wednesday’s joint practice with Minnesota, Borregales is now operating at 84.1 percent (37-of-44).
The outcome of this matchup may depend on how well both players perform in the final two preseason games. Romo made a compelling case for himself against the Commanders on Friday by nailing a 57-yard field goal.
Jeremy Springer, the special teams coordinator for the Patriots, stated on Monday that Borregale’s draft status by itself won’t give him an advantage over a journeyman like Romo.
I simply believe that the consistent person wins out in the end. According to Springer, it makes no difference if you were selected in free agency or drafted or undrafted. Coach Vrabel makes it very obvious that you must earn a position. To me, the person who consistently shows up for work and earns a position is the one who will be hired. It doesn’t matter who they are in the end, and that’s how I handle it every day.
Coach the two men in the same manner. I’ll be satisfied with anyone we choose in the end, and I hope they keep improving, follow instructions, and exhibit some consistency.
Wideouts on the roster bubble
Seven wide receivers were selected for the New England team going into Week 1 in our initial 53-man roster prediction, which was made public on Wednesday morning.
Given that the team is already progressing with five locks at the position—Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Boutte, Kyle Williams, and Mack Hollins—that may be a little unrealistic.
It appears to be a two-man race between Javon Baker and Efton Chism III if Vrabel and company decide to limit New England’s wideout corps to just six guys.
Over the past week, both wideouts’ stocks have soared. Baker, who was once thought to be a lost cause following a terrible rookie season, has begun to show off his skills in camp with a number of highlight-reel catches. He has also increased his worth by making some crucial special-teams stops during Friday’s preseason victory over Washington.
After a slow start to camp, Chism has also begun to show signs of improvement. On Friday against the Commanders, he led all Patriots wide receivers with six receptions, 50 receiving yards, and a score.
Given the likelihood that another team will claim Chism if New England tries to stow him on the practice squad, his upside and the possibility of using him as another shifty slot wideout in Josh McDaniels’ scheme may be too alluring to resist.
However, Vrabel has also praised Baker for his versatility and buy-in on special teams, which may possibly make him a much-needed Swiss Army Knife for New England.
Yes, I think that’s great.Vrabel discussed Baker’s play on the special teams during the weekend with reporters. Players, particularly receivers, who can develop a role and assist you by being large and physical—everything we see in Javon as a receiver—and who can accept that as special teams players—big, physical, quick, and willing—that translates to special teams.
The only way New England can escape having to make a difficult choice at wideout on cutdown day may be to retain seven wideouts.
Craig Woodson s pursuit of starting reps
With players like Will Campbell, TreVeyon Henderson, Wilson, and Kyle Williams on the offensive end of the ball, New England’s rookie class has received a lot of attention.
Craig Woodson, a fourth-round pick, is beginning to establish himself as a serious contender to join Jabrill Peppers as one of New England’s starting safety.
It was widely believed at the beginning of camp that Peppers and veteran Kyle Dugger would start for New England in 2025. However, that opinion has since shifted, since Dugger has been playing for the second squad for the past week.
Dugger has experienced some growing pains acclimating to Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams’ scheme, in addition to his coverage difficulties throughout camp and preseason play.
Simply ensuring that he is in the proper location and comprehends the basics of covering and everything we do,What Dugger must accomplish to secure future first-team appearances was stated by Vrabel on Wednesday. Continue to work and make progress. There will be changing lineups and other things, but a lot of this is because the men have earned the right to look at that first unit. Just concentrate on the reps you are currently receiving.
Other players have benefited from Dugger’s troubles, but Woodson, a powerful safety who can stop the run and cover a lot of ground, has taken full advantage of his opportunities.
Craig Woodson, a rookie, made an incredible open field tackle.pic.twitter.com/GUrtlikIYJ
Depth at offensive line
It’s possible that the Patriots’ starting offensive line is coming together. Although Moses is 34 years old, New England must determine who might be the next man up if injuries or poor play occur because of the group’s lack of experience, which includes two rookies.
In terms of the remainder of the team’s tackle depth, Marcus Bryant, a 2025 seventh-round pick, and Demontrey Jacobs appear to be the early favorites, so New England has to acquire some insurance at the swing tackle position.
Bradbury may be the front-runner in the clubhouse to start at center for New England, but they also need to find a good backup. Wilson may be able to switch positions, but as the rookie attempts to establish himself in the NFL, it appears the Patriots intend to retain him at left guard this season.
Therefore, it appears that Cole Strange’s best chance of staying with the Patriots is to either take Wilson’s backup center position or go to left guard.
That could be a difficult challenge for the 2022 first-round pick because Caedan Wallace, a 2024 third-round pick, may be more valuable due to his ability to play both guard and tackle, while Ben Brown may have the inside edge at center.
Since 2023, Conor Ryan has worked as a staff writer for Boston.com, covering the Boston Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.
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