Position Group Analysis
We are in the dead zone before the start of Training Camp. This part 1 of the roster analysis in anticipation of the start of Training Camp on July 23rd, I will break down the 91-man Training Camp Roster. Today I will look at QB/RB and WR.
Quarterback
We are all anticipating a jump in the production from 2nd year QB Drake Maye. He teased us last season with what he could be, an exciting weapon at the QB position.
Pro Football Focus has Maye ranked 22ndoverall, within the 4th tier of “Young players with a wide range of potential outcomes”. They went on to say “Maye went through the expected rookie growing pains, finishing the year with a 64.9 passing grade and more turnover-worthy plays (16) than big-time throws (14). He faced one of the league’s worst offensive lines and had limited support in the receiving corps. With Mike Vrabel taking over as head coach and upgrades around him, the No. 3 overall pick from 2024 is positioned to take a step forward in Year 2”.
Maye was extremely inaccurate downfield, but that can be blamed on the insufficient offensive line. Most of his passes were within 10-yards of the line of scrimmage (74%). PFF didn’t take into account the improvement with the play calling of Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels, which I feel will help the 2nd year QB make the big leap.
Josh Dobbs is an interesting backup QB. In his 5-year career, his average for a 17-game season would be 2425 yards, 62.7 comp %, 13 TDs to 11 INTs. He is the prototypical size at 6’3”, 220-pounds. Dobbs is an above-average backup QB, should Maye get hurt and miss some time. He should get a lot of playing time in the preseason games, and I will follow his progress in training camp and, more importantly, the Joint practices.
Ben Woolridge is a developmental QB signed as a UDFA. I wrote this about Woolridge in my UDFA evaluations: “ Woolridge joins the Patriots as a dual-threat QB with extensive collegiate experience. He began his career at Fresno State before shining with Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns, throwing for 2,463 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 2024. He also showcased his mobility, adding 174 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground, while leading his conference with an 8.4 yards-per-attempt average. This was an interesting take on Soy Fútball by Bruno López. “Although his numbers may not immediately stand out, Wooldridge displayed admirable resilience by overcoming multiple serious injuries, including a torn ACL and fractures in both his foot and clavicle. This ability to fight back and return stronger undoubtedly caught the eye of new head coach Mike Vrabel and his staff”.
I don’t expect Woolridge to make the 53-man roster out of camp and he will be on the Practice Squad as an emergency backup.
(PHOTO: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)
Running back
Rhamondre Stevenson had a very bad season last year, leading the league with 8 fumbles. Stevenson was not held accountable for his fumbling problem. In his defense, Stevenson single-handedly won the opening game against Cincinnati with tremendous runs after 1st contact. In that game, he was hit behind the line numerous times but battled through them. Not only was the Offensive Line bad in pass coverage, but they also couldn’t block the run. In Mike Vrabel’s initial press conference, he put the blame on the Offensive Line for not helping Stevenson and allowing gang tackling and, ultimately, the stripping of the ball. Vrabel has stressed playing to the whistle, and he just didn’t feel the O-line did that last year.
Stevenson is a bruising back in the style of runner that Vrabel likes. Stevenson will be given the first opportunity to start. However, we are definitely looking at a platoon situation at running back.
In the second round, the Patriots selected running back TreVeyon Henderson from Ohio State with the 38th pick. He ran a 4.43 40 at the combine. In his career, he ran for 3761 yards. 6.4 YPC and 42 TDs, all in the Big Ten. Additionally, he is an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield with 77 receptions for 853 yards, 11.1 YPC, and 6 TDs. Henderson also has a reputation as an excellent pass blocker for blitz pickup. He will see considerable playing time. I expect that he will start as a third-down back and work his way into the lineup. Henderson had 37 starts in his college career for Ohio State in the Big Ten. He is a big playmaker with the ability to take any touch to the house. I am particularly interested in his ability on screen passes that Josh McDaniels loves to run.
Antonio Gibson was the Patriots’ best running back last season. His final PFF Rank was #37. He had a 4.5 YPC. Gibson is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and even if split out wide. However, he was badly underutilized by Alex Van Pelt last year. Josh McDaniels will use Gibson the right way. He is a backup for Stevenson and a proven pass catcher in the NFL. I don’t think his position on this team is in question.
Terrell Jennings was signed off the practice squad late in the season. The UDFA in 2024 didn’t make the team out of camp and was signed to the Practice Squad. He appeared in 3 games and had 13 carries for 33 yards. Jennings is not expected to be able to compete for a roster spot unless there is an injury.
Trayveon Williams was signed as a Free Agent this spring after being released by the Bengals. He played for Cincinnati for 6 years as a backup. The Texas A&M product led the SEC in rushing with 1760 yards in 2018. He opted for the draft and was selected by the Bengals in the 6th round. He has special-teams experience as a Kickoff returner. In 2023, he was elevated to the #2 back behind Joe Mixon. Williams will provide a veteran to compete for the team. I don’t expect he will actually make the final roster.
Lan Larison was a UDFA the Patriots signed to a one-year contract with $175K guaranteed. Larison was projected to be selected in the sixth or seventh round before he slipped off the board. The 6-foot, 215-pound running back spent five seasons with the UC Davis Aggies, where he emerged as a standout player. Larison flashed his versatility over his final two collegiate seasons, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards and nearly recording 1,000 receiving yards in each of the two campaigns. His pass catching is among the best that I have ever seen.
Larison finished his final collegiate season in the Big Sky Conference with 1,465 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 284 carries — an average of 5.2 yards per carry. He added 62 receptions for 847 yards and six scores, while also completing five of nine pass attempts for 45 yards and a passing touchdown.
Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston had an interview with UC Davis head coach Tim Plough. Where Larison stood out was his ability to get out of the backfield and catch the football smoothly. And to me, if he’s able to stack (good) days, I think there’s a real chance based on this guy’s production, his athletic talent, his willingness to do just about anything, that he makes this roster. “I think what makes Lan really special for the Patriots organization, and I know that coach (Mike) Vrabel and his staff know this, is Lan’s humility,” Plough said. “Lan knows he’s an undrafted free agent. He’s not going in there thinking he’s going to be the starting tailback. He knows that to make the team, he’s going to have to be a special-teams guy. And there’s no doubt in my mind that Lan is an elite special-teams player.”
“He led our team in tackles on the punt team. That’s the best player in the country in FCS, and he wants to be on the punt team and leads the team in tackles. He was an All-American kick returner as a freshman, so he could be on the kickoff, kickoff return, punt return, and punt team. He can start on all four special teams units right now and be elite at it.”
Larison stands 5’11”, 206-pounds and ran a 4.46 40 and 6.93 3-cone drill. Before drafting Kyle Williams and TreVeyon Henderson, the Patriots had no players who had that speed and quickness ratio.
In 2025, Larison was not invited to participate in any post-season all-star showcases, which showed how deep the running back class was. “Cowboy” Larison is also a champion Steer Wrestler (also known as Bulldogging), spending his free time jumping off horses and seeing how quickly he can wrestle a steer to the ground. The Caldwell, Idaho, native was a state champion steer wrestler and, according to those who knew him, the nation’s No. 1 bulldogger at his age. He reminds the local media of former Patriot Rex Burkhead and is also wearing his former number.
His chances of making the final roster are very good, but just because he signed a contract with such a high guarantee doesn’t ensure that. The high guarantee is the subject of the high interest and competition there was for Larison’s services. If released, I do not expect him to clear waivers to the Practice Squad.
Brock Lampe is another UDFA signed by the Patriots. Lampe is the only pure Fullback on the roster, and you know that Josh McDaniels likes to utilize a fullback in his offense. I can see the 6’1” 252-pound Fullback making the team. He can be utilized on Special Teams, as he was recruited to Northern Illinois as a Linebacker and switched to Fullback after his freshman year. I am predicting that Lampe will make the team as a FB/TE. He would be a 3rd TE behind Henry and Hooper.
Efton Chism III and Javon Baker
(PHOTO: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)
Wide Receiver
The Wide Receiver room is much improved from last season. The additions of Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism make this team much better. I am stunned at the progress that Diggs is making in recovering from ACL surgery. He has not been cleared to play yet, but it is trending that he will be ready to start the season in week 1. Diggs was on his way to another 1,000-yard season before his ACL injury, which wiped out the season after 8 games. That would have been 7 straight 1,000-yard seasons. I don’t expect him to have 1,000 yards this season but a healthy Diggs will present huge problems for the opposition. Diggs turns 32 in November.
Mack Hollins is a solid veteran. The 2017 draft pick of Philadelphia in the 4th round played collegiately at North Carolina and is entering his 9th season in the league. He is a big target at 6’3.5”, 221 pounds. Last year for Buffalo, he had 31 receptions for 378 yards (12.2 YPC) and 5 TDs. Of his 31 catches 25 were for 1st downs. In 202,2 he played for Josh McDaniels at Las Vegas and had his most successful season. He had 57 catches for 690 yards (12.1 YPC) and 4 TDs. Hollins turns 32 in September. Expect to see the eccentric Hollins shoeless in December and January.
Kyle Williams is an exciting third-round pick from Washington State. Williams is a true X receiver that can stretch the field with his 4.4 speed. He also possesses the quickness to shed press coverage. I wish he had performed the 3-cone drill. I suspect he would be considerably under 6.7. He would be the 1st receiver in years to have sub 4.5 40 and sub 7.0 3-cone. His route running needs to be developed, and I think he will be brought along slowly.
Efton Chism is a UDFA who signed a big, guaranteed contract ($234K) to play for the Patriots. The 5’10.4”, 192-pound receiver played at Eastern Washington and broke all of Cooper Kupp’s records there. Chism ran a pedestrian 4.7 40-yard dash, and that’s the reason he didn’t get drafted. He was the star of the East-West Shrine game, OTAs, and off-season workouts, and worked with all the QBs, including getting some 1st team reps. Many of the local sportswriters covering the workouts compared him to a classic McDaniels slot receiver in the mold of Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, and Julian Edelman. I have him making the team since he will never get through waivers. Six NFL teams brought Chism in for Top 30 visits. The Patriots didn’t have him in for a Top 30 visit, but Mike Vrabel personally called him before the draft ended, and Chism told his head coach he was signing with the Pats before the end of the draft.
Demario Douglas
(PHOTO: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)
Pop Douglas was another player badly misused in AVP’s offense. Douglas is looking forward to playing for Josh McDaniels because he should thrive in it and be a big part of the offense. Entering his 3rd year of a 4-year entry contract, Douglas is expected to make a big jump in production, but needs to improve his pass catching as he drops too many passes. He caught 66 of 87 targets last year for 690 yards (9.4 YPC) and 3 TDs. I think he will be pushed by Efton Chism, but Douglas should be a regular in the offense if not the starter. He played all 17 games last year.
Kendrick Bourne is a player on the bubble. He had his best year as a receiver playing for Josh McDaniels’ offense here. He is a full season removed from his ACL injury and should be 100%. His age (30 on August 4th) is one thing going against him. The veteran is entering his 9th year in the league. I’m not sure the Patriots keep three receivers over 30. Bourne had the best season of his career in 2021 when playing for Josh McDaniels. In that season, he had 55 catches for 800 yards and a 14.5 YPC and 5 TDs. I’m not sure he makes the team.
Kayshon Boutte surprised a lot of people with his jump in production after a disappointing rookie season. He has all his gambling issues behind him and he was one of the better receivers on the team last year. He ended up with 43 catches on 68 targets for 589 yards (13.4 YPC) and 3 TDs. Will he continue to grow or regress? I expect him to make the team over Polk, Bourne, and Baker.
JaLynn Polk was a complete bust as a 2nd round pick. We traded what turned out to be the top rookie WR Ladd McConkey for Polk and Baker. He was out of position, jumping offside and not in the right spots for his assigned routes. Head Coach Mike Vrabel said every player will be evaluated on his merits in camp. Polk was held out of OTAs because of offseason shoulder surgery. I don’t know how much that shoulder issue bothered him last year. I described him in my post draft analysis as replacing Davante Parker with Davante Parker. Polk is that slow and is like velcro and can’t shake DBs to get open. His PFF Rank was #221 amongst all WRs. I think the Pats give Polk another year because they don’t want to look bad cutting a 2nd round pick a year after they drafted him. That means 7 WRs.
Javon Baker was actually worse than Polk. He did nothing last year. He had 4 targets and 1 reception for 12 yards in 7 games. His only catch came in the last game versus Buffalo when they were playing against backups. His PFF rank was #195. Pathetic. I think he is gone as well with a chance to get on the Practice Squad if they want him.
John Jiles is an interesting player because of his size. At 6’3”, 219 pounds, he is a big target. He was a Division 2 All-American with West Florida in 2023 after a 66 catch, 1255 yards, and 16 TD performance. His downfall is that he ran just a 4.57 40-yard dash. He went undrafted and signed on with the NY Giants. He was waived at the cutdown and signed on with the Patriots’ Practice Squad. The Patriots re-signed him to a future contract, and he will compete in camp. I don’t think he has much of a chance to make the team, but another stint on the Practice Squad could be more realistic.
Demeer Blankumsee finished his career with 155 receptions for 2,255 yards and 17 touchdowns for Toledo and Memphis. He stands 5’10”, 192 pounds. He ran a 4.49 at his Pro day. I haven’t heard his name mentioned once during OTAs, which is not a good sign. I expect that he will not make the team. How he performs in camp will determine if he makes the Practice Squad.
Jeremiah Webb played for South Alabama. He stands 5’11”, 198 pounds. Last season, the UDFA had 36 receptions for 649 yards and 5 touchdowns. He played three years for South Alabama and started his college career at South Dakota. Webb ran just a 4.57 40 at his Pro Day. He was signed to a contract by the Berlin Thunder, but must have had an out in his contract if he was signed by an NFL team. I have read some good things about him but not good enough to make the team.
Cam McCormick Hired as Scouting Assistant
Cam McCormick, who famously had nine years of college eligibility and went undrafted this year, has been hired by the Patriots as a scouting assistant, according to Ari Merov. The former University of Miami TE finished his final season of eligibility in 2024, and he went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. In 2016 he enrolled as a freshman at Oregon and redshirted because of a knee injury. In 2017 his Offensive Coordinator was Mario Cristobal. He would go on to become the Head Coach until he moved on to Miami (FL) in 2022. In 2017, he, along with two other players, were admitted to the hospital because of overzealous physical workouts by the Strength and Conditioning coach, who was eventually fired over this. In 2027, he started two games and participated in 4 others. In 2018, he sustained severe leg injuries in the 1st game, and that shut him down for the season. Complications and mis-diagnosis required another surgery for a screw that had dislodged and wiped out the 2019 season. From 2018 to 2021, the tight end played just three games over three-plus years while dealing with multiple injuries and complications.
McCormick returned to play the full season in 2022 with the Ducks, catching 10 passes for 66 yards and three touchdowns. He then transferred to Miami to play for Cristobal for his final two years in college.
The Hurricanes’ tight end was able to finish his collegiate career playing every game in 2023 and 2024, collecting 14 receptions for 104 yards and three touchdowns.
This is the third new hire in a matter of weeks in New England. Vrabel has added two new coaches to the analytics department and has also expanded the scouting department.
This position is an entry-level position and the start of a career in scouting.
About Mark Morse
Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.
View all posts by Mark Morse
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