Training camp is almost here. The New England Patriots will officially return for training camp in the coming days as their first practice of the summer is set for Wednesday, July 23.
So before the fun begins, let’s get right into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
What players are you most looking forward to keeping an eye on for training camp? - Sportzballer
Great question to get us in the training camp spirit. Here’s a few to start us off:
Drake Maye: The biggest story of camp: How does Drake Maye adjust to life in a new offense? He seemed more-and-more comfortable as the spring progressed, and a true year two leap will be the key to New England getting back into contention.
Stefon Diggs: The Patriots have not had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman. A healthy Stefon Diggs has the chance to end that streak, which would be a game changer for Maye and the rest of the wide receiver room.
Cole Strange and the left guards: We’ll continue to watch to see if Jared Wilson can push Garrett Bradbury at center, but the main question mark along the line currently is the left guard spot. Strange seems set to start the summer there. We’ll also watch Sidy Sow, Caedan Wallace, and UDFA Jack Conley making a push.
Keion White: While Milton Williams and Christian Barmore will be a force inside, New England does not have a bonafide star edge rusher. Under a scheme and coaching staff that suits his strengths, perhaps White can become close to that with a huge step forward in year three.
Marte Mapu: The clock could be ticking for the 2023 third-rounder. Mapu finally repped primarily at linebacker this spring when healthy and could factor into a defense that wants to get more athletic. Health will be key moving forward.
Rookies: Will Will Campbell’s lack of length impact him when the pads come on? Can Kyle Williams and TreyVeon Henderson spark the offense from the start? How will Craig Woodson fit into a safety room at full force? Can Andres Borregales continue to build his lead in the kicker battle? Etc. etc. etc.
Am I crazy to think that Bourne will be one of the biggest surprises this year? We only have 3 WR on the team that have proved they can play at a starter level in the NFL with Diggs, Bourne, and Douglas and Bourne is the only one out of those 3 that has proved he can and has excelled in a Mcdaniels offense. Why is he constantly being talked about being traded away or a cut candidate? Wouldn’t it be smart to keep the only WR on the team that has already proven he understands and can excel in this offense? - sjamesbossports
Bourne had a career-high 925 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns under McDaniels in 2021. He then was on-pace for nearly 80 catches and over 800 reaching yards in Bill O’Brien’s similar offense in 2023. So, you are not crazy for thinking Bourne can excel in this offense — especially another year removed from an ACL tear and perhaps playing with the best quarterback of his career.
But, the trade/release talk stems from the fact that he is will turn 30 in August and New England has younger players with an overlapping skillset. With Stefon Diggs now ahead of Bourne on the depth chart, New England may feel it’s more valuable to move forward with the development of Ja’Lynn Polk and/or Efton Chism. And not that the Patriots are strapped for cash, but any move off of Bourne would free up $6-plus million this year and next.
Pop bests Chism in every speed and explosiveness metric. Pop is coming off a 66 catch season in a poor offense when ESPN graded him as the Pats best receiver and the 25th best in the league. Pop has big play, YAC, and jet sweep value that Chism doesn’t. Pop is only 10 months older than Chism. With Pop, and Diggs likely getting some reps out of the slot, I don’t see much opportunity for Chism outside of a backup in the event of an injury. Am I missing something that is causing all this Chism hype and Pop skepticism? - Chowdaballz
Outside of durability concerns due to his size, there is not much Pop skepticism here. He was there best, most consistent receiver this spring. He looked at home in McDaniels’ slot where the coordinator was able to use the receivers’ quickness to create mismatches over the middle of the field. Douglas also seems to have a strong connection with Maye.
When it comes to Chism, the skillset is different than Pop’s as the UDFA does not have the top-end straight line speed but instead the shiftiness and stop-start ability. He also seems to have a better feel of finding space than Douglas. But, there is room for the two to overlap on the field. While Chism’s spring was exciting, I wouldn’t expect him to play a huge offensive role out of the gate if he does end up on the 53-man roster.
Why aren’t more analyst talking about the possibility of Jared Wilson starting at LG? Especially with how fast he is. Wouldn’t LG be a better fit for his athleticism than C considering Gs pull a lot more? He was the best C coming out of college and the 3rd best interior O lineman overall. Also, I’m one to belief since Vrabel and Mcdaniels love to run and will run since Maye is in his second year, that our OL is going to be a lot better than people think. An OL of Campbell, Wilson, Bradberry, Onwenu, and Moses all excel in the run game with no weaknesses. The only true weakness in those 5 is Bradberry in pass blocking. - sjamesbossports
It’s definitely a possibility with their current options at left guard. But, I’m keeping the door wide open for Wilson taking over for Garrett Bradbury at the starting center spot. I think that is where he is at his best and would prefer he mainly focuses on that position to take over sooner-rather-than-later.
Who’s your dark horse training camp casualty pick-up by the Pats? Thoughts on kicking the tires on FA Will Hernandez? - NewEnglandWhalers
A veteran guard would definitely be one spot to watch if nobody among the current group separates themselves early in camp. Hernandez played left guard early in his career and could be an option depending where he is coming off a torn ACL. He’s a physical run blocker and has improved in pass protection since arriving in Arizona in 2022.
Brandon Scherff and Dalton Risner are other veterans options as well as Shaq Mason, who has started to decline in pass pro over the last two seasons.
Other potential positions to watch could be nose tackle and linebacker, especially if they need another big body for the run game. Kyzir White could be an option along the second level.
Back in the day, one of the things that made McD’s offense hum was the ability of Gronk and Develin to run block. Would you rather we keep a fullback (Lampe) on the roster, a stout, run-blocking TE (Dippre) - or both? I wonder if they would keep both at the expense of someone like Larison. - Arschloch
Which position group would most likely be thinner if the Pats carry a fullback on the’25 roster? - RickyHotPants
Based off Lampe’s involvement this spring, it feels like he has the inside track towards a roster spot as McDaniels brings back the traditional fullback. Lampe’s spot could come at the expense of any position — such as a third tight end as New England could likely get their choice(s) in the current group behind Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper to the practice squad.
What do you think are the chances that the Pats could make a move for a player like Terry McLaurin or Trey Hendrickson who aren’t happy with their current contract and might want to move on for a better deal? - Trailratt
They should be interested in both, but I still have a hard time seeing Washington move McLaurin — even if contract talks (or lack thereof) have not seemed to make progress. Hurting their supporting cast around Jayden Daniels on a rookie contract just does not make any sense after the season they had.
As for Hendrickson, adding an elite edge rusher would be the final piece of the puzzle along New England’s defensive line. But, truthfully, who the hell knows what is going on in Cincinnati and where this ends. They still need to sign their first-round pick.
With so many 2nd round picks unsigned, do you feel Treveyon Henderson will be a holdout? - DennyLemaster23
Since the 49ers signed Alfred Collins (43rd overall) Wednesday night to a deal that guarantees 88 percent of his contract, there’s been a wave of second-round picks to sign. The hope is that Henderson will be apart of that group, but the only player to sign that was drafted between Carson Schwesinger and Jayden Higgins, the two to receive fully guaranteed deals earlier this offseason, and Henderson (Nick Emmanwori) also signed a fully-guaranteed contract.
That’s all for this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you’d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post or on Twitter using #PostPulpit. Make sure to be following@iambrianhines and@PatsPulpit as well.