FOXBOROUGH - A quiet day at Patriots training camp on Tuesday, the calm before the storm of a single joint practice with the Commanders the following day.
As always, a big storyline is the various camp battles taking place. We'll undoubtedly get more clarity with increasing levels of competition, so I decided to put some of those areas in the spotlight. Then I will revisit when the schedule permits post-preseason game numero uno Friday night.
WIDE RECEIVER
Depending on how the roster shakes down, this could very easily be a position where the Patriots keep seven on the active roster. Last year, doing that made sense. The Pats didn't have enough good players to field a competitive 53. This year? The roster still needs help, but I'd be more inclined to keep six and see if I could shuffle a body or two to the practice squad.
I have the first five spots marked down with a Sharpie. It's Stefon Diggs, Pop Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Kayshon Boutte. For those pushing back on Hollins, the fact that he came off PUP and was immediately getting reps with the starters tells you all you need to know. They're depending on the well-traveled vet to lead, block, play special teams, and give this offense a big target in the red area.
Boutte has once again had a good camp. Not that he's been targeted a ton, but when he is, he comes down with the ball. That includes his 4th-and-3 "gotta have it" grab to finish off Monday's uneven offensive performance (his footwork was marvelous). Before camp started, I wondered if he might be a trade chip. I suppose that could still happen, but right now, I'd leave him right where he is.
That leaves Kendrick Bourne, Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and Efton Chism duking it out for one, maybe two roster spots. Bourne is out this week after getting rolled up during Friday's practice, and if I were him, I'd be pissed at Brandon Crossley. It was unnecessary. That said, I don't think Bourne is going to make it. Not because he's not a capable receiver, but because of the money and the youth movement. A trade to San Fran would not surprise me.
Baker has come on after a slow start to camp, and even got some reps with Maye as a reward for his work. He's more gifted than Polk, but it's hard to know if he's matured and can be trusted. We have yet to speak with him this camp, but the arrow has been pointing up.
As for Polk, he missed a lot of essential reps this spring and at the start of the summer. The team has thrown him right back into the mix, but aside from an excellent catch over Crossley in 1-on-1s, Polk's just...there. Because of his draft status, I think if the Pats expose him to waivers, he gets claimed. Baker, who was off a lot of teams' boards, probably slides on through.
Chism hasn't carried over his spring momentum, and had a bad drop in the in-stadium practice. I'd like to see him get some quality reps against old friend Jon Jones and second-year corner Mike Sainristil over the next few days, and reinsert himself into the conversation. Chism has his fans on the coaching staff, but he's not making this a hard decision currently.
SWING TACKLE
Raise your hand if you thought this was going to be Caedan Wallace's role (My hand is up). Instead, the Pats decided Wallace is a guard, and that's where he's been getting all his reps. For those who gripe about unnamed sources, my ties around the league were incredulous that the Pats thought he could play left tackle last year. They thought he was a guard. Vrabel, Doug Marrone, et al agree.
With Vederian Lowe just coming off PUP, the Pats initially rolled out 7th-rounder Marcus Bryant on the left side and Demontrey Jacobs on the right. Over the last couple of days, the two men have flipped sides. The audition for that valued spot is now in full swing. You can add UDFA Jack Conley to this group as well, and he has the added experience of playing inside at guard. All three players will struggle with the type of athletes they'll see on tackle island, but until Lowe shows he's ready to jump into the deep end, this trio gets all the reps and the chance to make a mark. To me, Bryant is a toenail or two ahead.
5TH CORNERBACK
Yeah, I know it's further down the depth chart, but with Christian Gonzalez dealing with a hamstring injury and Carlton Davis never making it through a full season, the Pats will need playable bodies here.
Alex Austin is first off the bench on the outside, and Marcus Jones is the obvious nickel, but the next spot is up for grabs. Marcellas Dial tore his ACL Monday and is now lost for the season. He had emerged as a possible backup in the slot, and is a core four special teamer.
That's where D.J James enters the conversation. He's long(ish) and has the man cover skills that any defensive coordinator would want. He's stayed with receivers of different sizes and statures (Diggs, Williams, Boutte), and even if he's not making the play, James is in their hip pocket. I think he's shot past Isaiah Bolden and Miles Battle on the depth chart, but this is far from a done deal. Both Bolden and Battle are bigger and run well. Battle's performance against the Bills in Week 18, while against backups, was an eye-opener for me. He hasn't made as many plays as James, but there's something there. Bolden has gotten reps elsewhere, which tells me the coaching staff is intrigued by his athleticism.
THIRD TIGHT END
This isn't so much a battle as it is a slog. The Pats signed a pair of tight ends at the end of last week because, quite frankly, the guys competing for reps behind Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper have done very little to distinguish themselves.
Gee Scott Jr. has been the best of the bunch, but I wouldn't say he's been good. The UDFA out of Ohio State was more visible during the spring. His chief competitor currently is Jack Westover, a second-year UDFA from the University of Washington. Westover was here last year on the practice squad, and he looks like a good athlete. The only problem with that is we haven't seen it matter yet. The Pats did line him up at fullback several times on Monday, so perhaps that gives him an edge over Scott. I can't get there yet.
C.J. Dippre has been invisible. Tyler Davis was signed and immediately missed practice for an undisclosed reason, and then released. This is an area where the Pats will have their head on a swivel come cut-down day.
INTERIOR 'O' LINE
You'd think the Pats would be able to find a serviceable first guy off the bench type to handle both guard spots and fill in at center. Ummm, about that. Jared Wilson's ascension into the starting line has led to some reshuffling with the second and third groups.
The two moves that have stood out were Cole Strange suddenly getting center reps with the second unit and Ben Brown jumping from the third team to the first team when Garrett Bradbury missed a couple of practices. Very interesting. In addition, Brown has now started getting some reps at guard since Bradbury's return. That's not in his history, but the staff has been pleased with Brown's work and ability to handle the mental aspects of the game. If he can prove to be competent at both spots, the Pats could find an extra roster spot for a potentially deeper position (safety, for instance).
Beyond that, neither Robinson, Tyrese, nor last year's 4th rounder, Layden, seems to be in favor, and Sidy Sow has now missed a bunch of practices. Wallace has done a solid job making the transition inside, but he left Friday's in-stadium practice with an injury and missed Monday's full pads workout. While he participated in the walk-through, there's no guarantee he's a full go tomorrow. That leaves the door open for someone to come charging through, and whipping some Washington butt this week would be helpful.
Others that need a good week: edge Bradyn Swinson, UDFA Elijah Ponder (edge), RB Lan Larison, and LB Marte Mapu. Swinson is making the team, but if he wants to make a push for PT, now is as good a time as ever.