Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Patriots rookie report: How are New England’s 2025 picks faring in training camp?
New England's starting offensive line could feature two rookies in Will Campbell and Jared Wilson.
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots’ 2025 season might hinge on whether or not both Drake Maye and a revamped defensive unit can take a major step forward this fall.
But, a New England roster that entered this offseason with several glaring holes across the depth chart is also counting on several rookies to carve out key roles as soon as Week 1.
Through 10 practices so far during training camp, there has been plenty of good and bad with New England’s 2025 rookie class — with those expected growing pains also contrasted with some standout performers.
As New England enters a critical week that will wrap with the team’s preseason opener against the Commanders on Friday, here’s a look at how the 11-member grouping of New England’s 2025 draft class has fared so far.
LT Will Campbell (1st round, No. 4 overall)
It’s been an up-and-down camp so far from Campbell, who has held court as New England’s top left tackle so far during training camp.
Advertisement:
The former LSU standout has been strong during run-blocking sequences, but has had some some struggles during pass-protection, especially during 1-on-1 matchups against explosive athletes like Keion White and K’Lavon Chaisson.
Those rough outings will stoke fears for Patriots fans, given the concerns about Campbell’s arm length, his high-draft status, and the consequences involving New England’s offensive line if Campbell can’t hold his own as a starter in 2025.
But, Campbell has also had some very strong showings in practices as well, highlighting that the 21-year-old may just be navigating through the expected ups and downs that impact every rookie during training camp.
Advertisement:
So far, Campbell has received plenty of praise from Vrabel and several veterans on both sides of the ball when it comes to his approach and ability to bounce back against adversity.
“The biggest thing for Will is his willingness to learn and ability to sometimes get beat, but not hold your head down,” White said of Campbell on Monday. “A lot of times when you come in as a rookie, you’re going to lose reps. Everybody loses reps sometimes. Guys come in 5-stars, All-American, thinking they’re the best in the world. When they face adversity, sometimes they shut down.
“That’s something that Will doesn’t do. He asks the questions. He says, “OK, how can I not lose this rep?’ And he learns, and he comes back better. That’s the best thing you can do as a rookie. There’s going to be learning curves, there’s going to be challenges, but are you willing to put the work in to actually get better?”
RB TreVeyon Henderson (2nd round, No. 38 overall)
Rhamondre Stevenson is still expected to be the workhorse on a Patriots offense that will be running the ball early and often in 2025.
Advertisement:
But, Henderson has all the makings of a home-run hitter during his rookie campaign. The 2025 second-round pick has continued to stand out during training camp with his high-end speed and versatile skillset.
When Henderson gets a head of steam or finds an open lane, he can break away for a major gain in short order — giving New England some much-needed explosiveness on offense. But, Henderson could also be poised for a major role in his rookie campaign given both his soft hands and reputation as one of the best blocking backs in college football in 2024.
Henderson’s knack for blowing up blitzers will be welcomed this season if he helps keep Drake Maye off the gridiron, while the former Buckeyes star has also bailed out his quarterback with some impressive catches that have led to chunk yardage so far this summer.
Monday was Henderson’s best day of camp so far, as he recorded five catches during team drills while finishing with four touchdowns during red-zone work. Two of his receiving scores saw him leave both Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss in the dust on wheel routes.
“Coach [Josh] McDaniels has been doing a good job of giving all of us opportunities to get out in space, especially running backs,” Henderson said Monday of his touchdown grab against Elliss. “I’ve been definitely trying to grow and get better at that. It was a nice pass from Drake. Nice to come down with it. It was a good play.”
WR Kyle Williams (3rd round, No. 69 overall)
On a team in desperate need of high-end playmakers, Williams has injected plenty of energy into New England’s wideout corps given his 0-to-60 speed and separation ability. But, the former Washington State standout’s explosiveness has been undercut by some frustrating drops.
Advertisement:
Williams’ strengths make him the type of player that New England could carve out reps for, especially as a deep threat for Maye in 2025. But, Patriots fans might have to brace for some speed bumps when it comes to the rookie’s inconsistent hands.
Williams has the potential to separate himself from the pack and emerge as New England’s “X” receiver alongside other projected starters like Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas. Yet, he faces steep competition against other expected roster locks like Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte.
C/G Jared Wilson (3rd round, No. 95 overall)
The top rookie so far during camp, Wilson has gone from a potential high-upside project at center to seemingly a lock to start the year on New England’s offensive line.
Despite closing out his collegiate career at Georgia in the middle of the O-line, Wilson has primarily played at left guard during camp — leapfrogging veterans like Cole Strange over the last few weeks.
Even though starting lineups are far from being set in stone at this stage of the summer, Mike Vrabel noted on Friday that Wilson deserved a spot alongside New England’s other projected lineup regulars, given his promising play.
“It’s a great thing, especially coming from Vrabel, coming from a guy who’s played 14 years in this league,” Wilson said in response to Vrabel’s comments on Monday. “That’s a good thing to hear, but at the end of the day, you got to come into work every day, still got to earn it, still going to prove it to your teammates that you’re worthy of it.”
Advertisement:
There’s plenty of risk that comes with slotting two rookies in on the left side of your offensive line between Campbell and Wilson, but the latter looks like a future stalwart in the NFL ranks given his athleticism and sound technique.
S Craig Woodson (4th round, No. 106 overall)
He was burned for a touchdown against Efton Chism III on Monday, but Woodson has regularly stood out as an athletic and rangy safety since New England selected him in the fourth round.
As noted by Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal, Woodson earned some first-team reps on Monday in place of established veteran starter Kyle Dugger.
New England already has plenty of depth at the safety position between Dugger, Jabrill Peppers and expected top sub Jaylinn Hawkins. But, Woodson’s speed and early reps on special teams makes him a player that the Patriots likely want to incorporate into their roster as the season goes on.
DT Joshua Farmer (4th round, No. 137 overall)
Farmer’s role was likely going to be limited as a rookie on a team that already has maulers like Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, and Khyiris Tonga in place within the trenches. Still, Farmer has also been limited due to injury, as he missed three practices near the start of camp.
He is expected to serve as more of a depth piece in 2025 on a team with plenty of impact talent across the defensive line.
Edge Bradyn Swinson (5th round, No. 146 overall)
Swinson has popped at times during 1-on-1 drills, with the former LSU product showcasing some of his natural burst off the line of scrimmage — headlined by a clean win over Campbell earlier in camp where he beat his former Tigers teammate to the inside.
Advertisement:
Swinson’s impact has lessened during full team drills, but the Patriots should be able give Swinson ample time to develop on a defensive unit with plenty of pass-rushers ahead of him on the depth chart like Harold Landry, White, and Chaisson.
K Andy Borregales (6th round, No. 182 overall)
Given that New England allocated a sixth-round pick to pluck Borregales out of the University of Miami, it looks as though the 22-year-old kicker would have the inside track to secure the team’s starting spot in 2025.
But, the kicker competition between Borregales and veteran John Parker Romo has been one of the more compelling narratives so far during training camp. After both Borregales and Romo each connected on all four of their field-goal attempts on Monday, Romo has converted 22 of 23 field goals this summer — while Borregales is 22 of 25.
Borregales might still be considered the slight favorite in this ongoing competition, but it might come down to who fares better during preseason action.
“They both have done very well,” Vrabel said of New England’s kickers so far in camp. “I’m sure 19-of-21 or whatever they both are, I think they’ve gotten better and it’s a good competition and I’m glad they both got to kick in the stadium and try to get the extra points and get the end of game kicks and everything that we did. So, just trying to get the volume and try to — every day Jeremy [Springer] and Tom [Quinn] have a plan for them on how they’re going to kick.”
OT Marcus Bryant (7th round, No. 220 overall)
Given his impressive frame (6-foot-7) and athleticism, Bryant felt like a project worth taking a flier on in the seventh round. With Vederian Lowe still on the PUP list, Bryant has actually received plenty of reps behind Campbell as the team’s second-string left tackle.
Advertisement:
Even with Lowe’s struggles last season, New England ideally wants to get Lowe back on the field sooner rather than later to see if he can carve out a backup role. If Campbell does falter, New England does not want the next man tasked with protecting Maye’s blind side to be a rookie taken in the seventh round.
During Monday’s practice, Bryant slotted over to right tackle, finishing the session with the first unit after veteran starter Morgan Moses left the field early.
LS Julian Ashby (7th round, No. 251 overall)
Another special-teams pickup, Ashby’s spot is all but a lock on the 2025 NFL roster as the lone long snapper on the team. No issues so far during camp for Ashby, who is expected to supplant former long-snapping stalwart Joe Cardona.
CB Kobee Minor (7th round, No. 257)
With starting corners Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis currently sidelined due to injuries, Minor has received a prime opportunity to earn regular reps with the next wave of secondary talent in New England like Alex Austin, DJ James, and others.
James has continued to establish himself as the early breakout candidate in New England’s secondary with multiple pass breakups on Monday, but Minor stood out during Friday’s in-stadium scrimmage by breaking up a pass intended for Stefon Diggs that was ultimately picked off.
Minor also recorded an interception during 1-on-1 drills Monday after undercutting a slant route by Jeremiah Webb.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com