The New England Patriots’ training camp is fully underway. Following three straight padded practices to conclude the first week, the team is off on Sunday before getting back to work.
Before we focus on what lies ahead, however, let’s take one final look back at the week that was. Welcome to the latest installment of our Sunday Patriots Notes.
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Raridon’s hot start
Through seven training camp practices, it’s been hard to miss rookie tight end Eli Raridon.
Raridon has been active as a pass catcher this summer, often threatening New England’s up the seam and running away from second-level defenders across the field.
On Friday, that led to the rookie catching multiple passes during 7-on-7s, including a touchdown in the corner of the end zone from Drake Maye — a unit he is regularly been apart of as the team’s No. 2 tight end.
“He is a big dude, first off, that can run. I mean, that’s pretty cool, and he is smart,” Maye said. “He went to Notre Dame and I know he is another guy that, half ACC, half not, but we like to call ourselves smart in the ACC so— He understands positions, he understands how to play both positions, the tight end spot. I think he is making plays on the football. That’s what you want to see from a young guy, and he is putting the work in.
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“That is the biggest thing with a young rookie. You want to see him go out there and take a rep when he is tired and not call for a sub, and he is doing all the things the right way, and I am looking forward to seeing what he does throughout camp. He has been a great player for us and a great dude.”
While Raridon has seen his fair share of reps with Maye and the first-team offense, the rookie remains slotted behind veteran Hunter Henry on the depth chart.
That has also led to plenty of work with backup quarterback Tommy DeVito, who has no issues peppering the tight end with targets.
“Have you seen him? That’s a big target. I bet you’d want to throw to him too,” DeVito said. “I mean, he’s big, he’s athletic, his confidence is growing. Trying to get more savvy with the offense, like as it’s going. But that just comes with time and how many reps he gets. So, just keep trying to get as many reps as we can. I know he’s got a lot of information coming at him. I know I’ve been a rookie before in a situation like this. So just keep him encouraged, keep him going. But he’s got awesome hands, he’s got the frame. He’s got everything going for him. So, I’m looking forward to seeing how he plays this year.”
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A quiet spring from Raridon, coupled with a season-ending injury to veteran free-agent addition Julian Hill, left the door open for a potential free agent addition at the position.
While there is still work to be done for the 2026 third-round pick, Raridon’s emergence early in camp has him trending toward earning a role as a rookie.
“You can see the game slowing down for him a little bit,” Hunter Henry said. “Every single time he gets reps, he learns from those reps. He’s watching them in the film room. We’re talking about things. He’s got a bright future ahead of him for sure.”
CB depth
The Patriots depth at cornerback has been tested early in camp with Carlton Davis (unknown) sidelined for the last three practices after leaving Tuesday’s session early. Charles Woods has consistently been first up in his place.
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“Just having a full offseason in the system now, I’m more comfortable with the play calling. I’m understanding the scheme, what we’re trying to get done as a defense, and now just going out there and playing football,” said Woods, who spent last season as the No. 4 cornerback after being claimed off waivers during cutdown day.
With Christian Gonzalez (rest) then limited on Saturday, Kobee Minor, Kindle Vildor, and fifth-round pick Karon Prunty saw elevated snaps. Prunty made the most of it with an interception off of DeVito while Minor also recorded a pass breakup. That group will continue to sort itself out over the next few weeks with roster spots limited.
Gonzo update
Beyond being a limited participant on Saturday due to rest reasons, Christian Gonzalez has remained a full participant in padded practices as he searches for a contract extension. Mike Vrabel has appreciated that approach from his top cornerback this offseason, but did not have an update on where negotiations stood.
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“It’ll either get done, and when it gets done, that’ll be the progress that’s made,” Vrabel said Saturday. “Everybody that’s involved is working hard. I cannot express the professionalism that Gonzo has started camp with. It’s clear that he wants to improve, that he wants to be the best at his craft and at that position. I think that he’s made that known by the way he’s come out here to practice.”
Underrated names
Training camp always provides a chance for underrated players to make a push for roster spots. Through seven practices, here are some who have caught our eyes:
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RB Jam Miller: While New England’s defensive front has largely won the rushing periods, Miller has caught the eye on numerous occasions for his quickness and ability to find holes. Lan Larison still seems like the top RB3, but Miller could make a push.
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WR Cameron Dorner: Dorner has been stacking positive days together which was recently rewarded with a handful of reps with Tommy DeVito and the second string offense. The UDFA receiver has shown the ability to separate and while the wide receiver depth chart is crowded, New England lost practice squader Jeremiah Webb for the season. Dorner is making an early case to stick around in that capacity.
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TE Tanner Arkin: Perhaps no longer underrated as the UDFA has consistently seen time with the top offense due to his blocking ability. That ability has slotted him in nicely behind Hunter Henry and Eli Raridon, and Arkin’s blocking ability has created some short play-action opportunities through the air.
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LB Khalil Jacobs: On the defensive side of the ball, Jacobs has repped next to K.J. Britt and Chad Muma recently on the second team defense. He logged a pressure in Saturday’s practice and has been around the ball often in run defense from the off-ball linebacker spot.
Chism’s growth
Efton Chism and Mack Hollins quickly developed a strong relationship during Chism’s rookie season as they would often be two of the first people in the facility. The two enjoy pushing each other to get better and Chism calls Hollins one of his best friends, but the veteran has enjoyed seeing the 24-year old’s growth in Year 2.
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“I think the biggest thing is now he’s taken anything that he was with me doing last year, and he’s molded it. And like I told him, take everything I do, and then change to what’s best for you. And that’s what I’ve seen him do,” Hollins said.
“It’s been it’s been really cool to watch him grow not only as a player on the field, but off in understanding how to be a pro and things it takes to be great and sustain that for more than a season and not just be like, ‘Oh, it’s a guy that is shining in a training camp for one year cause he’s small and white.’ Efton’s a baller, that’s why he’s shining.”
WR room
Chism will have work to do to make the 53-man roster again this season after the team added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs to pair with him and Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas, and Kayshon Boutte.
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Keeping all seven wide receivers on the Week 1 roster feels like a stretch, which means one will be the odd man out. That could be still be Kayshon Boutte, who remains open to a trade after requesting one back in the spring, which would open the door for youngsters like Chism and Kyle Williams, who would remain a surprise cut, to remain off waivers.
“I love having depth, but I would say that we’re always going to try to look to improve, whether that’s by adding draft capital, obtaining a player or keeping the guys we have,” Vrabel said. “We want to try to provide competition throughout the roster at each position. I think that’s something that’s critical. I think that’s what good teams do every year, year in and year out, that they’re making the roster as competitive as possible.”
Accuracy work
Despite connecting on 84 percent of his field goal attempts as a rookie in the regular season, accuracy was the focus for Andy Borregales this offseason. So far, the work has paid off as Borregales has appeared to connect of 21-of-his-23 field goal attempts this training camp — including a 5-for-5 performance on Saturday where distances appeared to reach the 55-yard mark.
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Slater’s impact
Matthew Slater has been away from the Patriots organization for two years now, but his impact is still felt throughout the building. Besides Brenden Schooler sharing stories of his former teammate and special teams coach Tom Quinn often showing Slater film, the punt team has different releases and techniques with one called the “Slater release.”
“I think he’s one of the best to do it and I think all of us kind of know that,” Chism said.
Autographs
A regular scene throughout the first week of training camp has been Mack Hollins and Efton Chism on the field nearly an hour after practice has concluded to sign autographs for every fan left in attendance.
Hollins took that to a new level on Friday, as he pulled fans out of the crowd to race across the practice field — with Chism serving as the starter.
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Week ahead
With their training camp underway, the Patriots will remain busy for the time being. The practice schedule for the coming week looks like this:
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Monday, August 3: 10:15 a.m. ET
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Tuesday, August 4: 10:15 a.m. ET
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Wednesday, August 5: 10 a.m. ET (Walkthrough, Closed to the Public)
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Thursday, August 6: 10:15 a.m. ET (Close to the Public)
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Friday, August 7: 10:15 a.m. ET
For more information on the Patriots’ training camp, please make sure to check out the Pats Pulpit Training Camp Guide.
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