Bedard: Early impressions from Patriots rookie minicamp 05.09.25

FOXBOROUGH — Some way-too-early impressions from the Patriots' first practice open to the media, the team's rookie minicamp which featured draft picks, undrafted free agents, tryout players and a few players new to the team:

 • Big picture, this is quite the departure from last year in terms of the pace and intensity of the practices, which is spearheaded by Mike Vrabel, who is involved in everything. He's constantly coaching, pulling players aside, jumping into scout teams, and even telling the media to get off the field colorfully. Jerod Mayo was an observer 95% of the time, delegated. Vrabel is right up in there.

 • The offensive line coaching was interesting, if unexpected. Doug Marrone seemed to be the supervisor, Jason Houghtaling was the drill sergeant, and Robert Kugler dealt with the scout/look teams. Houghtaling means business. At one point he had the line working during a designed water break. Vrabel shut that down.

 • Josh McDaniels dropped some weight, looks skinny, and like a college freshman. Still coaching the same, but this was very much like an orientation-type atmosphere.

 • Draft pick impressions:

OT Will Campbell: I know he's just shy of 6-6, but he seemed smaller to me in person and, yes, his arms are on the shorter size. Impressed with his run blocking. He can move and is strong.

RB TreVeyon Henderson: Was not present, which was a bummer. I remember getting a look at Sony Michel in his first rookie minicamp and reporting to you all that I didn't really see anything special, which you should see in a first-round back. I was looking forward to contrasting that with Henderson, and I'm sure I would have you could see it. Lan Larison was the only running back out there. Looks a bit like Rex Burkhead. He's got a little shake and get-up worth monitoring.

Another update: Henderson is expected to be at Gillette for Saturday's session, which is closed to media. Whatever he was dealing with today was "nothing to worry about" said a team source.

Saturday update: Henderson is on the field (no media access today).

WR Kyle Williams: You could definitely see his quick acceleration at times, but I don't think he's 100%. Remember, he pulled a hamstring at the combine, didn't run his 2nd 40 and then didn't do a pro day. I'm pretty sure he was getting stretched at some point during practice, and he appeared to me to be a player going 75% with a tight hamstring. But we don't know these players yet, how they run, their gait jogging back to the huddle. I asked him if he was 100% after practice and he said yes. I have my doubts. I don't think he was cutting it loose, which is probably good news. There's another level or two there. He was definitely more on the outside, at the X. Like his route running. Seems like a smart player. Had a nice contested catch. Vrabel coached him up once for catching a ball behind him with his body instead of the hands.

Updated: A team source told me Williams is "good" and that a lot of drills were tempo'd today for the first time out.

C/G Jared Wilson: Played center the entire practice. Looks like a natural there, and just as an athlete. Moves well. Sounded smart as hell at the podium after practice. Just has a nice demeanor about him. Does he play angrier?

S Craig Woodson: Wearing 31 and didn't see him a ton in the one 7 on 7 period. Moves well, seems the right size and has some physicality.

DT Joshua Farmer: Wore 92 and seemed a little undersized, but he's listed as 6-3 and 312. You notice his long arms. The big fellas were basically by themselves for most of practice in the corner. You know who did impress physically in that group? UDFA Jahvaree Ritzie out of UNC. He's 6-4, 294 and well put together, similar to Keon White. No idea if he can play.

Edge Bradyn Swinson: Certainly looks the part at 6-4, 255, although his No. 43 looks wonky. Strong and athletic.

OT Marcus Bryant: Big, raw and high cut over at right tackle.

CB Kobee Minor: Looked bigger than his listed 5-11 and has some athletic ability.

 • Others who caught my eye:

WR Jeremiah Webb: With Williams not 100 percent, Webb was easily the most explosive receiver, even though he is wearing 29. Got open for a bomb on a corner route that QB Ben Woolridge didn't pull the trigger on, much to McDaniels' chagrin.

WR Efton Chism: Listed at 5-10 but plays bigger than that and he's got a little burst to him. Both Webb and Chism have a chance on first look. 

LG Jack Conley: The BC kid, at 6-7, made Campbell look at little small, like he had 2 inches on him. Big, physical and really got after it with intensity.

The roster players there were WR Jon Jiles, CB Miles Battle and edge Turman Jones. Jiles had a nice leaping catch. He's 6-3.

 • Safety Sal Lupoli from Bentley was there. Undersized but very athletic. From Ric Serritella:

This kid is going to scrap and claw to make the roster, special teams, long snapper, safety, top-notch instincts. Had 22 tackles in 4 games with the Massachusetts Pirates. Rudy type ...

LUPOLI, SAL | Bentley | LB | # 21 | rSr | 5093 | 203 | 0928 | 2928 | 7148 | 4.73 (1.64/2.69)| 37” | 9-6 | 4.40 | 7.30 | Chelmsford, MA 

Veteran playmaker who runs downhill to attack line of scrimmage.  Also handled long-snapper duties.  Ballhawk who can cover sideline to sideline.  Best season in 2023 with 123 tackles and 5.5 sacks.  Averaged 12.3 tackles per game in 2023.  Played high school at Chelmsford High and Phillips Andover Academy.  Earned letters in football and lacrosse and was captain at both schools.  

 • Nothing too exciting out of the TE group. CJ Dippre (Alabama) is definitely a Y type, a bit plodding. Gee Scott (Ohio State) is an F with some movement. Brock Lampe is a fullback. Let the record show the first offensive snap against the scout team featured a fullback. 

 • Woolridge is OK at QB, nothing really stood out. Jake Wilcox (Brown) is small.