FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots slowed it down for their third practice of camp on Friday. It was a very like walkthrough, the kind you see the day before a game, as the team (outside of QBs for communication) didn't even bring their helmets onto the field. The intense heat might have been a factor, but Mike Vrabel indicated this was part of their body preservation plans.
"Today will be a lighter day so that you guys can understand that this will be more of a walkthrough," Vrabel said. "But again, it's important, I think, to see how our team responds and are able to work in that capacity. I'm hopeful that we can get something out of this, come back, really have some speed tomorrow and really have a good one tomorrow before our day off."
You don't want to read too much into the early portion of camp, which features a CBA-mandated ramp-up procedure, but we can at least identify a little better how some of the competitions are shaping up heading into pads on Monday. A look at what's going on at five positions:
CENTER
There's no question that free agent Garrett Bradbury is the starter, but third-round pick Jared Wilson is getting increased looks with the starters. I would expect that to continue. If we get to a 50-50 split at some point, the competition is on.
Ben Brown is only getting reserve reps.
LEFT GUARD
Wilson is also factoring in here as well with some starter reps behind Cole Strange, but I'd say those reps are fewer than what Wilson is getting at center.
It's pretty impressive for a rookie to get looks at two different spots, and he seems to be handling it with ease to this point. It really speaks to Wilson's smarts and ability to handle a lot. Not many rookies can do that.
"I think that he's a quick learner," Vrabel said. "He's been able to learn two positions inside, as far as center and guard. He was one of those players that maybe wasn't out there as much on the field in the spring, but really was able to grasp it mentally and allow that to carry over when he had an opportunity to be on the field. So, he was able to show, for a young player, some of those things to be ready when he got his opportunity to be on the field."
Caeden Wallace, it appears, has been moved from tackle to guard because it's not like the Patriots have rock-solid tackle depth (more on that in a minute). I haven't seen him at tackle yet.
Tyrese Robinson, who started at one point during the offseason, is on the back burner.
Sidy Sow and Layden Robinson have only been at right guard.
BACKUP TACKLE
We know the two starters, Will Campbell and Morgan Moses, are entrenched. Behind them, the Patriots still seem to be figuring that out as both Demontrey Jacobs and seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant keep flipping between left and right. That would indicate they are figuring out who would be the swing tackle on gameday.
Jack Conley from BC has only been at right tackle.
How does Vederian Lowe factor into this once he can get on the practice field? I still think he would be a top candidate, but he needs to get on the field first. He might not end up being their type of player.
RECEIVER
This seems to be the pecking order at the moment, but it's still really early for this:
Stefon Diggs
Kayshon Boutte
Demario Douglas
Kyle Williams
Kendrick Bourne
Efton Chism
After that, we don't know where Mack Hollins (who will be here) and Ja'Lynn Polk (very iffy, needs to get on the field soon, but he does seem to be ramping up) fit in.
And then it's a big dropoff to everyone else, including Javon Baker.
SAFETY
To this point, it's been pretty consistent: Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, then Jaylinn Hawkins and Marcus Epps. It's a mild surprise, but it's still early, that Craig Woodson isn't more involved, but I expect that to change.