Real football is here with the Patriots holding their first fully padded practice on the fields behind Gillette Stadium on Monday morning.
After mostly featuring the passing game from midfield in the first four practices, head coach Mike Vrabel's team worked inside the red zone in a run-heavy, 90-minute session on a hot day in Foxborough as training camp starts to pick up steam.
With the physicality ramping up, all eyes were on the trenches on Monday. Following a shaky season on the line of scrimmage a year ago, the Patriots rebuilt the lines on both sides of the ball, with No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell going through his first NFL practice in pads, and free-agent additions such as Milton Williams and Morgan Moses in focus. New England needs to improve its line play from last season, so these early padded practices are huge for building fundamentals that are the foundation of effective line play.
"Just being able to make contact. There's going to be a stalemate. There's two professional players lined up across from each other who can reengage: who can reset their feet, maybe get a little extra movement," Vrabel said. "Do we stay on our feet? Can we practice like this and stay on our feet? We've got a bunch of guys falling on the ground. I'd rather not see that. I just don't think that good teams end up practicing that way."
Along with the physicality, the play speed also increases in padded practices. The combination of full contact and speed means we are another step closer to real games. After taking in the 90-minute practice, here is what caught the eye in our first trench report of the summer.
Offensive Line
- Rookie LT Will Campbell was introduced to his first NFL practice in full pads by Keion White in 1-on-1s, but the first-rounder settled in during team periods. From this vantage point, Campbell had a great start to real football. He caved in the line of scrimmage on a down block, combo'd up to the second level on another, generated movement on a frontside reach, and stopped White with a firm punch on a play-action touchdown to Ja'Lynn Polk. The power and finish were noticeable, with Campbell putting two teammates on the ground in 11-on-11s. So far, so good for the No. 4 overall pick, who has been on Drake Maye's blindside all camp.
- The Patriots are easing 34-year-old RT Morgan Moses into his 12th training camp. Moses rotated with Demontrey Jacobs at right tackle in the first four practices, but saw more reps on Monday. The vet won his 1-on-1 vs. Harold Landry, but was beaten around his edge by K'Lavon Chaisson in team drills. Moses deserves the benefit of the doubt as a 12-year pro. However, it's been an inconsistent start to camp for him.
- C Garrett Bradbury got most of the work on the first day in pads. He lost his 1-on-1 to Khyiris Tonga, but like most of the O-Line, was better in team drills. Bradbury is still leading off 11-on-11s at center.
- Rookie C/G Jared Wilson continues to get reps with QB Drake Maye at center, while also taking reps at left guard. Wilson won his 1-on-1 rep versus Jaquelin Roy and is mostly blocking well in team drills, but also had his second aborted snap of the summer with Maye from under center. Maye and Wilson improving together on snaps bears watching.
- RG Mike Onwenu is the one returning starter from a year ago who seems locked in to his role. Onwenu won his 1-on-1 rep vs. Jeremiah Pharms and looked the part in team drills. From this perspective, it should be good for Onwenu to focus exclusively on right guard this season rather than bouncing back and forth from right tackle to guard.
- LG Cole Strange continues to get most of the work at left guard, and his win over DT Milton Williams in 1-on-1s was notable. Campbell and Strange were moving the line of scrimmage on the left side in the run game, with RB Rhamondre Stevenson bouncing off the left side for a touchdown in red zone work.
- 2024 third-rounder Caedan Wallace appears to have entered the left guard mix, working exclusively inside in his second season after playing tackle as a rookie and in college. Wallace caught the eye on a frontside reach-and-turn to get a positive run started in 11-on-11s, but lost his 1-on-1 rep to DT Jahvaree Ritzie. Wallace being in the mix at left guard is an interesting development. Many draft pundits believed Wallace was better suited for guard in the pros.
- Third-year G Sidy Sow had the most eye-popping rep in 1-on-1s, showing off strong hands to pop rookie Joshua Farmer. Sow and second-year G Layden Robinson are mostly repping at right guard this summer, which is notable given that left guard is likely an open competition.
- RT Demontrey Jacobs and rookie LT Marcus Bryant are seeing the most reps behind Campbell and Moses. Bryant has the ideal tools for the position with great size, but lost his 1-on-1 rep to K'Lavon Chaisson. Jacobs won his vs. Anfernee Jennings. It's worth mentioning that incumbent starting LT Vederian Lowe remains on the PUP list.
- C Ben Brown, vet G/T Yasir Durant, and G Tyrese Robinson were three other offensive linemen who had nice wins in 1-on-1s. They could push for roles as backups this summer.
- FB Brock Lampe was doing some fullback things: springing a run on a wham play while also meeting a linebacker in the A-Gap with a good thud. It was nice to see (and hear) that again.
Defensive Line
- EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson was the most noticeable defender on Monday. Chaisson won his 1-on-1 against rookie Marcus Bryant and logged two pressures during team drills, beating Moses for what appeared to be a sack. Chaisson's juice off the edge is flashing in the early going.
- EDGE Keion White beat Will Campbell at the apex of the rush with a good rip finisher in 1-on-1s and appeared to get Campbell on one run defense rep in team drills. Campbell vs. White has been a great back-and-forth through five practices. Hopefully, iron sharpens iron.
- DT Milton Williams had an uneven start to padded practices, with Cole Strange getting the better of him in 1-on-1s and Campbell moving him on a few run plays in team drills. Williams still makes his presence felt in the pass rush, though, and has been good overall in this camp. The same goes for Harold Landry, who couldn't get around Moses in 1-on-1s.
- NT Khyiris Tonga should have a role as a situational run-stuffer this season and looked powerful in his 1-on-1 win vs. C Garrett Bradbury. DT Jermiah Pharms has seen an uptick in reps with Christian Barmore easing into team drills this summer. Pharms could be slated for a rotational role.
- The offense tried to get around Anfernee Jennings's edge on one run play in 11-on-11s, which Jennings unsurprisingly shut down. It'll be interesting to see if the coaching staff can find a role in this scheme for Jennings. We all know he can play the run at a high level.
- Hoping to see a little more from rookies Joshua Farmer and Bradyn Swinson once they adjust to the NFL's speed. Undrafted rookie Elijah Ponder flashed with a nice win vs. Demontrey Jacobs in 1-on-1s.
- DT Jahvaree Ritzie got the better of Caedan Wallace in 1-on-1s and could be a name to watch as an under-the-radar defensive tackle who could make a roster push this summer.
- CB Marcellas Dial (two), LB Christian Elliss, LB Marte Mapu and LB Cam Riley had run stuffs for the defense. Dial was extremely active playing the nickel spot with the Pats down a few corners, going right through receiver blocks to the ball. With his body type and physicality, Dial is a name to watch as a bigger option in the slot for New England's defense.
- Although it's worth noting that DT Christian Barmore wasn't a full participant in team periods, the interior run defense bears watching as padded practices continue. Do the Patriots have enough beef inside to stop the run consistently? It's something that's on my mind.
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