Football has returned.
The Patriots reported for training camp this week, and practices officially begin Wednesday morning.
Before camp kicks off, let’s answer reader questions in our latest Patriots mailbag.
@patsplanetmedia: Who’s your most under the radar player to watch going into camp?
Most under-the-radar is tough to gauge, but I’ll say running back Antonio Gibson.
He’s most likely safe for a roster spot. He was the Patriots’ best running back last season, outperforming Rhamondre Stevenson, who experienced a down year coming off of a contract extension.
But the Patriots did select TreVeyon Henderson in the second round and signed Lan Larison as an undrafted free agent. If Henderson emerges as a change-of-pace back and potential third-down option, then it’s unclear what Gibson’s role in the offense would be.
Gibson showed off impressive speed and game-breaking ability in the second half of last season. He also possesses pass-catching prowess dating back to his time in college as a wide receiver at Memphis.
Training camp could be a make-or-break time for Gibson as returning offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels decides what to do with the former Commanders ballcarrier.
@JaBxsv: With a good camp, do you feel like Brock Lampe has a legitimate chance to make the 53? I feel like it’d be beneficial to have a true FB/hybrid tight end type of player that can help with pass-pro and give teams different looks.
Lampe is the only true fullback on the roster, so that does seem to give the undrafted free agent an inside track for a roster spot. I asked tight ends coach Thomas Brown what he looks for out of a potential fullback, and he said it takes unique traits, noting that sometimes the role is filled by a college defender. That’s in part, however, due to the fact that most colleges don’t use a fullback.
Tight ends Jaheim Bell, CJ Dippre, Gee Scott Jr. and Jack Westover will likely also see reps at fullback this spring. They would be hybrid tight ends/fullbacks, while Lampe seems more pigeonholed into a backfield role.
@nfl_trades: Are Patriots interested in trading for a big name WR? Terry McLaurin?
The Patriots have been open to exploding all avenues towards improving their roster this offseason. If acquiring McLaurin via trade became a realistic possibility, then I would not be surprised whatsoever if they pursued the veteran wide receiver.
McLaurin entered the NFL as an older prospect, so he’s not actually that much younger than current Patriots wide receivers Stefon Diggs, Kendrick Bourne and Mack Hollins. He’s a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver, though.
Ultimately, it will cost the Commanders, but it would be stupid for Washington to let Jayden Daniels’ best weapon walk via trade.
@mageejr: No real talk about PK. How do we see the competition shaking down between a drafted rookie and a retread veteran seems to me to be a pretty big question for this team considering most games are decided by a few points. drafted kicker rookies for the Pats have struggled.
They have, but the struggles of Chad Ryland and Justin Rohrwasser, quite frankly, have nothing to do with Andres Borregales.
Borregales looked good during the spring, and Parker Romo would have to be excellent this summer to beat out a sixth-round pick.
I would consider Borregales the heavy favorite, but time will tell.
@CoachB_ESPNNH: Who will be the 6 week 1 WR’s
This is such a tough question. The candidates are Diggs, Bourne, Hollins, Javon Baker, Demeer Blankumsee, Kayshon Boutte, Efton Chism, DeMario Douglas, John Jiles, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jeremiah Webb and Kyle Williams.
Diggs, Hollins, Douglas and Williams should be considered locks at this point. Bourne and Boutte are probably the conservative projections for two final spots. But I’ll go out on a limb and give the final two spots to Bourne and Chism.
@littleashtag: Are you still concerned about the lack of depth on the OL?
I think it’s a worthy concern, just because so much is unknown. The Patriots do seem set at center, assuming Jared Wilson gets over the ailment that limited him in the spring. Regardless of whether Wilson or Garrett Bradbury starts, those two players are locked into starting and backup roles. And the Patriots could do worse as a third option than Ben Brown.
Caedan Wallace is the top backup behind tackles Will Campbell and Morgan Moses. Usually, you’d feel pretty good about a second-year third-round pick like Wallace as a backup, but he barely played last season. Behind Wallace is rookie Marcus Bryant, Yasir Durant, Demontrey Jacobs and Vederian Lowe.
Mike Onwenu will start at right guard, but it’s unclear who will start at left guard and who will be a backup interior offensive lineman between Cole Strange, Layden Robinson, Tyrese Robinson, Sidy Sow and rookies Jack Conley and Mekhi Butler. Wilson, Brown and Wallace also could be candidates at guard.
