The Patriots are officially two weeks into training camp and get to switch things up on Wednesday with a joint practice against the Commanders.
Before we see how the Patriots fare against a 2024 playoff team, let’s answer some reader questions in our weekly training camp mailbag.
@Jojomomo1224: Biggest surprise and biggest disappointment so far
It’s not the most exciting answer, but cornerback DJ James has been the biggest surprise of training camp. No one would have had him on their initial 53-man roster projections after free agency and the draft, but he’s been consistently repping as a top-five cornerback in practice. With Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III being held out of full-team drills, it’s James and Alex Austin as the top cornerbacks. James has made more plays than Austin through the first two weeks of camp.
James could slow down, obviously, but he’s currently trending toward a 53-man roster spot. Some other pleasant surprises: running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, guard Jared Wilson, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson and kicker Parker Romo.
The list of disappointments is shorter, which I guess is a good sign. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne would be up there, though. He had a quiet camp and then suffered an injury during Friday night’s scrimmage. Head coach Mike Vrabel expected that to keep him out of the next week of training camp.
Undrafted wide receiver Efton Chism has started to make more plays in recent practices but also hasn’t made a huge impact. Left tackle Will Campbell has been riding the rookie roller coaster, as one source put it. The team has been taking it slow with Davis and right tackle Morgan Moses as they return from injuries. And second-year guard Layden Robinson has been buried on the depth chart after being a regular starter last season.
@JuicePickm: Who’s your surprise roster lock AND cut
At this point, I would put Austin as a roster lock. He would not have been included on that list entering camp. But he’s been the top reserve cornerback after Gonzalez and Davis, and he even played a little bit in the slot during Tuesday’s walk-through.
Bourne would be among the potential surprise cuts. I’d also throw Cole Strange in the mix. It seems like he’s having a hard time finding his footing at guard or center.
@Deeznutsmw: Who are the wr’s that make the roster
I have Boutte, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams pretty well locked in at this point. If the Patriots keep a sixth, it would come down to Bourne, Chism, Javon Baker or Ja’Lynn Polk.
I included Polk in my recent 53-man roster projection. Baker seems to be making up ground, however. There was a period of Tuesday’s walk-through when the first-team offense was on the right practice field, and the second-team offense was on the left practice field. It was notable, to me, that Baker was on the right practice field, and Polk was on the left. So, maybe I’ll swap Baker for Polk, but the wide receiver situation will probably be fluid up until close to September.
@Bedsyy69: can they tackle during joint practice
No, they cannot. That’s going to have to wait until Friday’s preseason game between the Patriots and Commanders. Wednesday’s joint practice with the Commanders should be fun, though.
@VanillaVick10: How much trade value does polk, stevenson, and bourne hold? Feel like they hold very little, but if we were to improve our team via trade those would be the players we would like to move. I think…
Rhamondre Stevenson would probably hold the most trade value, but I would also be pretty surprised if the Patriots traded him. A team like the Titans pretty badly needs running back help, but would they give up a Day 2 pick for Stevenson? I have my doubts.
Polk would hold the next most trade value even though he produced very little last season. He’s on a cheap contract, and you would think there’s some team out there who would give up a Day 3 pick based on their prior evaluation of Polk coming out of the University of Washington.
I don’t know if Bourne has trade value. He’s two years removed from ACL surgery and didn’t look like the same player last season. An acquiring team would be inheriting a two-year, $12-plus million contract. He would be a fit with the 49ers, but paying him $6 million per year is steep.
@KleaverSports: What are the biggest roster holes that have stood out?
Backup quarterback, wide receiver, third tight end, backup tackle, backup slot cornerback.
I think backup tackle is the most glaring, because it feels like the chances are slim that both starting tackles will play all 17 games this season.
@SneakergeekTre: Any update on Davis?
Carlton Davis III was on the field for Tuesday’s walk-through. The team is easing him back in.
@Klege23: Do you think Drake takes a big sophomore leap this year ?
You would hope so. He has an improved offensive coordinator in Josh McDaniels, a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver in Stefon Diggs and a better offensive line.
So, I expect Drake Maye to be better this season. I’d like to see how he performs in joint practices before I’m ready to say it’s going to be a big leap.
@thatgaryman: Boutte had a solid season last year. People seem to continue to dismiss his potential impact on the offense. Could the addition of Diggs allow for Boutte to put up better numbers this year with defenses focusing on Diggs more?
Boutte has been a big playmaker in training camp so far, but he hasn’t been as consistent as other receivers like Diggs and Douglas.
I think Diggs’ presence will probably help Douglas the most. But I could see Boutte slightly improving upon last season’s production.
@patriots_harley: Do you think guards Layden Robinson and Sidy Sow will make the team?
I had both Robinson and Sow off of my latest 53-man roster projection. Robinson has been buried on the depth chart, and Sow has been dealing with an injury in recent days.
