Some New England Patriots players enter training camp with high expectations; others are roster longshots. Some, like rookie Drake Maye, are roster locks but could face redshirt campaigns. Meanwhile, some players are in the middle. We don’t quite know what to expect from them, and their wide range of outcomes could set off dominos across the roster.
With that in mind, and with New England set to hold its first practice on Wednesday, let’s look at the five biggest Patriots training camp wild cards.
5 Patriots Training Camp Wild Cards
WR Kendrick Bourne
The Patriots have five wide receivers who likely are roster locks: Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and K.J. Osborn.
New England typically breaks camp with five receivers, but it occasionally goes with six, meaning one spot could be up for grabs during training camp.
However, that number could grow to two if Bourne, who’s rehabbing a torn ACL and didn’t participate in spring practices, is forced to begin the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. That would be great news for JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor, and Kayshon Boutte, all of whom will compete for the final receiver spot(s).
But it’s not just about roster math. If Bourne recaptures his pre-injury form and is ready for Week 1, expectations for New England’s WR room should shift. You could squint and see an intriguing group with an undeniably low floor but a higher ceiling than many realize.
CB Jonathan Jones
Nobody’s talking about the Patriots’ cornerback issues, but they should be.
Christian Gonzalez has the talent to be one of the five best players at the position, but he’s just 22 years old with only three full games under his belt. There’s no guarantee he’ll be a true No. 1 corner in 2024.
But the real concerns lie on the other side of the field. Who will line up as the No. 2 cornerback? Jonathan Jones is one of the Patriots’ best defenders, is a leader in the locker room, and can play outside and inside. But he’ll also turn 31 in September, underwent a knee procedure during the offseason, and didn’t participate in spring practices.
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The Patriots might have a problem on their hands if Jones doesn’t establish himself as the CB2. They’d be forced to turn toward players such as Marco Wilson, Alex Austin, and rookie Marcellas Dial Jr.
Jones’ best days might be behind him, yet New England is depending on him as if he’s in his prime.
OT Caedan Wallace
For now, we’re going to assume Chuks Okorafor is the Patriots’ top left tackle, and David Andrews is their top center. Those are the only near-guarantees we have on the offensive line.
Everywhere else is a question mark, including rookie Caedan Wallace and where he fits on the right side.
The Patriots insist the third-rounder can play left tackle, but he primarily played right tackle in minicamp, and most post-draft evaluations labeled the Penn State product an RT. So, it’s a fair assumption Wallace opens training camp at right tackle with versatile lineman Mike Onwenu at right guard.
But what if Wallace isn’t ready? What if he struggles so mightily that the Patriots are forced to explore other options? In that scenario, Onwenu likely would move to RT while triggering a domino effect.
Sophomore Sidy Sow, set to open camp at left guard (Cole Strange is still rehabbing a major knee injury), might be moved to right guard. But maybe New England will keep Sow at LG and put fourth-round rookie Layden Robinson at RG. Maybe Atonio Mafi or Nick Leverett get a shot. Who knows?
In an ideal world, New England will open the season with a left-to-right alignment of Okorafor, Sow, Andrews, Onwenu, and Wallace. But if Wallace doesn’t do his part, chaos could ensue.
WR Javon Baker
Let’s assume Bourne isn’t ready to go for Week 1. The Patriots would then have just one dependable deep threat in Osborn, who’s probably a No. 4 receiver.
However, Baker, a rookie fourth-rounder, could change the narrative.
Baker oozes potential and has obvious big-play talent. He has the ability to add something to the Patriots’ offense that it hasn’t had in a long time. But Baker is also a roller coaster at the podium, and multiple reports indicate the Patriots are worried about his off-field behavior and inner circle. Baker also didn’t participate in minicamp due to an injury.
Nevertheless, if Baker — and Polk, for that matter — breaks out in August and earns a big role, it would go a long way toward easing fears about the Patriots’ receiver room. It might even make fans forget about the Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors.
We wouldn’t bet on Baker having that kind of training camp, but we can’t rule it out, either.
CB Marcus Jones
When the Patriots selected Marcus Jones in Round 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft, they surely hoped he’d be their top slot cornerback by now. Instead, he’s entering a make-or-break camp.
Jones was an All-Pro kick returner as a rookie while also showing promise as a slot corner and big-play gadget potential on offense. But he struggled on defense last summer and suffered a season-ending labrum tear in Week 2. It’s hard to know what to expect from him this time around.
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The Patriots don’t have many other options if Jones can’t handle slot-corner duties. Next up would likely be Jonathan Jones, who we’ve already discussed.
New England needs Marcus Jones to be a viable slot corner. If he can’t do it, the Patriots probably would be forced to rely on Austin, Wilson, or Dial at boundary corner — which would be inviting trouble. It’s time for Jones to step up.