Sort of emptying out the notebook from the offseason practices before we continue on with our first 53-man roster prediction, the re-draft, and a deeper look at some of the free-agent additions in the coming weeks ahead of training camp:
• Let's start with an updated depth chart after the offseason practices, although there weren't a ton of drastic changes. That will lead to some thoughts and lingering questions.
• I would say, at this point, that not many undrafted free agents have gotten off to a fast start. I would say the names coming up the most are LB Khalil Jacobs, TE Tanner Arkin, and C/G Jacob Rizy.
Jacobs has shown a little something in coverage and has the ability to play the Mile. He really stuck with Efton Chism on a crossing route, even though the ball was behind from Tommy DeVito.
Arkin is a big, strong kid and could make a run for Julian Hill's projected spot, although we need to see what CJ Dippre has to say about that when the pads go on in camp. Patriots still are likely to sign a tight end at some point, but Arkin could delay it a bit so the team can see what he looks like in pads.
• I think it's pretty close between Efton Chism and Demario Douglas behind Doubs in the slot, and I think Chism has the advantage right now due to his blocking ability and willingness. Although Douglas is certainly willing.
• One thing to monitor with Caleb Lomu going forward: his playing strength. The consensus (and here also) is that Lomu was a bit of a developmental pick, almost needing a redshirt year, and that looked the case in minicamp. On one rep, Christian Barmore tossed Lomu rather easily to the outside on a pass rush, and then got pressure on the inside. Barmore is certainly a very good player, but I wouldn't say his brute strength is his calling card.
• The Patriots and Josh McDaniels seem to be focusing on matchups more this season with the second year in the scheme, and changing personnel. They seemed to put an emphasis on getting TreVeyon Henderson matched up against linebackers, and then taking advantage. He burned Elijah Ponder and Christian Ellis for touchdowns on the final day of minicamp. We saw a lot of the same formations but with the personnel jumbled up. For example, you could see two RBs in the backfield together, then 1 RB and 1 FB, and then a RB and a TE. And receivers, tight ends and backs were all interchangeable.
• Kyle Williams was running some killer routes, even if the ball wasn't finding him thanks to DeVito's shortcomings.
• TE Eli Raridon was just OK in the offseason. He needs to find a way to play and process faster, which is not unusual for rookies this early, especially if he wants to make an impact early in the season.
• Look for the Patriots to continue working with TreVeyon Henderson on slowing the game down so that he can have more patience letting blocks and openings develop, instead of just going 100 mph into the line and hoping a hole develops so he can exploit it with his speed. Talking to a few NFL RB coaches, one approach you can use is to change the footwork used from player to player. That seems like it could be pretty complicated and lead to some confusion, but the Patriots are determined to make Henderson more than just a boom-or-bust back.
• I don't know if Edge Amari Gainer is going to become anything — he was a UDFA of the Raiders in 2024 — but he looks sculpted out of stone in his upper body. He's also got a tiny waist. Kind of reminds me of a young Jason Taylor, who was a third-round pick of the Dolphins. No, I'm not saying he's going to become even an NFL player, let alone a HOFer. But he's got speed and a motor.
• Romeo Doubs ended minicamp with a great high-point catch of a strike from Drake Maye in the back left corner of the edge zone.
• Free-agent safety Mike Brown is starting to get healthy after having surgery to repair ligament damage in his right foot last season with the Bears. Right now, he's the third safety and the Patriots really like the trio of Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson and Brown.
• The Patriots want to get their hands on more passes at the line, so batted passes were a big theme this offseason — even if it was pissing off the quarterbacks. Leonard Taylor was by far the leader.
• The Maye-Bradyn Swinson "collision" to close minicamp was much ado about nothing, and it had nothing to do with Will Campbell's blocking on Swinson. Christian Ellis came in unblocked and peeled off. Maye threw off his back foot and sort of hopped backward. Campbell's block on Swinson was fine. If Maye did fade away on his pass, Swinson wouldn't have come close. It was just an accident, and Maye factored into it.