The Patriots began their third week of training camp with a lengthy two-plus-hour padded practice on Monday, where position battles across the roster are starting to take shape.
With the training camp grind in full swing, opportunities have presented themselves for under-the-radar players hoping to make the initial 53-man roster. New England is now squarely in the competition portion of camp. The team has joint upcoming joint practices with the Commanders (Wednesday at Gillette Stadium) and next week in Minnesota, along with the first of three preseason games on Friday night vs. Washington (7:30 p.m, ET).
Before practice, head coach Mike Vrabel spoke about players who stood out early in camp continuing to improve to earn roles on the team.
"We're still in training camp, and so the ones that have continued to show improvement and that have maybe earned some more reps, continuing to do those types of things and to continue to take the next step and begin to compete for a role," Vrabel said.
When it comes to making the roster as a player further down the depth chart, the more you can do to make yourself valuable, the better. For example, many of these players will have to contribute on special teams, back up multiple positions or possibly have a situational role where their skill set might make them uniquely gifted to succeed in a certain position.
With that in mind, here are five under-the-radar Patriots who are making a roster push in recent practices from this perspective.
CB D.J. James
The first-year cornerback spent the 2024 season on the Patriots practice squad. With top corners Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis sitting out team drills lately, James is getting more reps with other frontline players, playing on the outside opposite CB Alex Austin. The Auburn product's strappy man coverage skills and multiple pass breakups in recent practices have caught the eye, with a standout performance in low red-zone work in Monday's session.
"It's been really fun just playing with my teammates, competing with my teammates, getting that opportunity to go out and compete has been really great," James told reporters last week. "I'm confident. I'm having fun doing it, and I'm just taking it each and every day, step by step."
On Monday, James had tight coverage to force incompletions to top receivers Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and rookie Kyle Williams (PBU). James's ability to play his leverage in man coverage allowed him to maintain great body positioning on Diggs, who was running an out-breaking route in the back of the end zone. He then took away the passing window on a go route to Boutte and broke up a comebacker near the front pylon intended for Williams. Although it's worth noting that James's "rise" coincides with Gonzalez and Davis's absences, he's earning more opportunities. From this vantage point, James fits the mold of the man coverage corners that have thrived in New England.
WR Javon Baker
The second-year receiver has as many high-end flashes as any Patriots wideout through 10 camp practices. On Monday, the 2024 fourth-rounder posted a "hat trick" during 7-on-7s with three straight touchdowns during low red zone work, then fought through contact to haul in a back-shoulder fade from backup QB Joshua Dobbs in full team drills. In recent practices, Baker flashing positively is almost a daily occurrence. That said, Baker also allowed a ball to be punched out of his hands in the end zone during red zone work, which points to the biggest potential roadblock for the 110th overall pick in last year's draft: consistency. Over the next few weeks, it'll be interesting to see if Baker gets any reps with QB Drake Maye and if he can supplement his highlight-reel moments with steadiness play-to-play. Baker seems to be behind Diggs, Boutte, Williams, DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins. However, his larger frame, vertical speed and ability to win battles at the catch point offer a different skill set from New England's other outside (X) receivers.
OT Marcus Bryant
With top draft choice Will Campbell getting most of the attention, Bryant has quietly begun to increase his involvement. The Patriots are playing the long game with 12-year vet Morgan Moses, who is the Pats projected starting right tackle. Moses has been in and out of full team drills, possibly to preserve the 34-year-old for the regular season, opening the door for those competing for top swing tackle reps. Following a solid showing in 1-on-1s, the rookie seventh-rounder got the nod over second-year pro Demontrey Jacobs for the first time in Monday's session. Bryant had wins over pass-rushers Truman Jones and Bradyn Swinson to finish 2-1-1 in 1-on-1s on Monday. Plus, he didn't look out of place pass protecting at right tackle in team drills. In college, Bryant mainly played left tackle for Missouri, with first-rounder Armand Membou on the other side. Bryant's experience at left tackle suggests he'd be comfortable playing there in the pros, so if he can hold up on the right side, he has swing tackle flexibility. The Missouri product also has excellent size (6-7, 320 pounds) and athleticism (8.99 RAS). Bryant emerging as a serviceable backup would be a positive development for the Patriots.
EDGE Elijah Ponder
Ponder is another undrafted rookie making a push based on his impressive reps in 1-on-1s. The Cal Poly posted seven sacks and 38 total pressures in his final collegiate season, including five pressures vs. Stanford, so Ponder can rush the passer. He also logged a 9.70 out of 10 relative athletic score (RAS) at his Pro Day. On Monday, the undrafted rookie had three "wins" in 1-on-1 drills over Jacobs, UDFA tackle Jack Conley and veteran Vederian Lowe. He then drew against Bryant, holding his own in all four reps he was given in 1-on-1s. Ponder's speed and ability to turn a tight corner stand out in the pass rush, with Vrabel and DC Terrell Williams's scheme highlighting players with good first-step explosiveness. Surely, Ponder will get plenty of snaps in the preseason, allowing for a closer look at his 11-on-11 abilities.
C/G Ben Brown
After landing on the roster mid-season, Brown filled in admirably in a pinch for the center-needy Patriots a year ago. Last week, Bradbury missed a few practices, and Brown was the next man up at center. At 6-5, 313 pounds, Brown has a larger frame than the other centers on the Patriots roster, while he has recently begun repping at left guard with the second unit. With fourth-year pro Cole Strange working at center behind Bradbury, Brown repping at guard could suggest the coaching staff is seeing if he has positional flexibility. As an interior lineman, it's more useful if a player in Brown's position can back up multiple spots, opening the door for the third-year pro to play a top backup role on game day. Brown could be in line for a top backup role with third-rounder Jared Wilson on the starter track at left guard.
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