FOXBORO – The Patriots will have immediate difference-makers in their 2025 NFL Draft class.
Just on offense, the Patriots could have three starters from their 2025 rookie class.
Patriots offensive positional coaches spoke to the media before Monday’s training camp practice. Here’s what they had to say about their rookies:
LT WILL CAMPBELL
The fourth-overall pick out of LSU has been running with the first-team offense at left tackle since he arrived in the spring. Campbell had some rookie moments early in training camp but held up well in the Patriots’ preseason opener Friday night against the Commanders.
Offensive line coach Doug Marrone: “Will’s a young player that has a ton of respect for what’s basically expected of him. I think that he does a good job of really gaining information from our players on our team, the veteran players that he goes against. Think he understands that. And he said this before that, hey, there’s some things he’ll go out there and win on. And if you’re not winning, then he’s learning. I think that’s the big thing that I see. I see a player that is continuously trying to learn. Comes every day and goes to work.”
Foxboro, MA - July 28 - Offensive tackle Will Campbell (66) of the New England Patriots hydrates during a hot Training Camp at Gillette Stadium. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
Foxboro, MA - July 28 - Offensive tackle Will Campbell (66) of the New England Patriots hydrates during a hot Training Camp at Gillette Stadium. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
RB TREVEYON HENDERSON
The second-round pick out of Ohio State was the star of Friday’s preseason opener, ripping off a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown to open the game. He looked fast and decisive on an 18-yard run and caught three passes. Henderson has the potential to play a big role this season and could eventually morph into a starter.
Running backs coach Tony Dews: “He’s continued to grow and progress from OTAs and the spring. So he’s very diligent, it’s important to him. He works extremely hard. He’s a very smart kid. Picks things up well, rarely makes the same mistake twice, and then obviously the football, the skill set is unique. We know he’s fast, has good ball skills, catches the ball well out of the backfield. Has toughness, as we’ve seen throughout camp since we put pads on and the other day in the game, he showed, displayed toughness. So, just excited and more than that, he’s a great young man.”
WR KYLE WILLIAMS
The 69th overall pick out of Washington State has regularly seen work with the first-team offense. He was open in Friday’s preseason game but backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs wasn’t able to get him the ball. Williams likely won’t start to begin the season but will likely play a role on offense.
Wide receivers coach Todd Downing: “I think his play speed is continuing to improve. You can tell that he’s thinking less and running more, and so I think he’s doing a nice job of stretching the field vertically. Got to make sure that we’re refining the areas that aren’t just the deep routes for him, but he’s working hard, like the rest of them, and I’m seeing some competitive spirit come on, which is pretty cool.”
Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams hauls in a pass during practice Monday in Foxboro. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams hauls in a pass during practice Monday in Foxboro. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
LG JARED WILSON
Wilson, a third-round pick, started at center last season for Georgia but has been lining up as the Patriots’ top left guard next to Campbell. He’s been a training camp standout all summer.
Marrone: “We still got a lot of long ways to go, but he’s done a good job. He’s played a lot. Obviously, we liked him coming out, but then all of a sudden, the game changes. It’s a different game, I think, in the NFL than you see in college. He’s able mentally to go ahead and process that type of information. He’s coming out here every day. There’s things that are a little bit different when you start switching positions. We’re looking for versatility (out of) a lot of our players, so they’ve been able to earn a role on the team. So again, I just think that he’s someone that’s played against a very top competition in college. But I always tell those guys when you come here, that’s what you’re playing against every day, and you’re practicing against it. So again, I still think it’s a lot like Will, where he’s either winning a rep or learning from a rep. And we’re trying to give him tools and different things, and try to get him in a better position. And he’s been great, because every one of those guys has a great demeanor about themselves, from a standpoint of wanting to learn, wanting to try things.”
OT MARCUS BRYANT
The seventh-round pick out of Missouri won’t be a starter to begin the season barring something unforeseen, but he’s still quickly moved up the depth chart. The way Bryant is currently being used in training camp practices and the preseason, he looked like the favorite to begin the season as the Patriots’ swing tackle. A left tackle at Missouri, Bryant has seen his reps increase at right tackle in recent practices.
Marrone: “What I think about is where he was compared to when we first came in. You talk about the OTA practices, and then the players, the way it’s set up, in my opinion, is you have about five weeks. The rookies have a little bit less. And during that time, you really have to work on your skills. So when you come into camp, you’re ready to go. I think Marcus and along with all the other young players have done a really good job of that. They came back, they were ready. He improved during that period, which is probably a critical period for most players, even veteran players, and then he came on the field and, hey, we’ve been moving him around, swinging him at both tackles. He’s done a nice job. I think there’s still a lot of room for improvement, but he’s trending in the right direction.”
WR EFTON CHISM
Chism, an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Washington, was a spring standout and has surged lately in practice and Friday’s preseason game. Chism looks like he’s currently trending toward a spot on the 53-man roster.
Downing: “Absolute joy to work with. His work ethic is second to none. A guy that understands that he’s got to fight for all of his opportunities and then make the most of them when he gets them. I would say, from the spring until now, I think he has a little bit more comfort and grasp of the offense, which helps him play faster. And you’re seeing him then take the next steps of playing more physical at route tops and finishing catches.”
Foxboro, MA - July 30 -Quarterback Ben Wooldridge (17) of the New England Patriots throws during Training Camp at Gillette Stadium. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
Foxboro, MA - July 30 -Quarterback Ben Wooldridge (17) of the New England Patriots throws during Training Camp at Gillette Stadium. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
QB BEN WOOLDRIDGE
There’s value in keeping a third quarterback on the roster, and Wooldridge, an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana, has seen improvement this summer.
QB coach Ashton Grant: “I thought he did a good job operating the system, which is the first thing, we have to be able to have 11 guys on the same page to start each play. And then I think once he settled down and got going into the drive, I thought he delivered some nice balls. I thought he read it out the right way. There was one questionable read in there, and he knows what I’m talking about. But I think he’s done a good job taking advantage of the reps.”