Patriots rookies' first impressions: How have their 11 draft picks looked at OTAs?
Earlier this week, New England Patriots offensive line coach Doug Marrone sidestepped questions about rookie Will Campbell's development so far. It was fair to be a bit evasive considering, as Marrone pointed out, there have only been a few spring practices, the players aren't yet wearing pads, they're not quite at full go and the playbook is simplified.
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That said, only Drake Maye's development is more important this summer than the question of how Campbell fares at left tackle, particularly given that the Pats used the No. 4 pick in April's draft on him.
So even if the Patriots are merely finishing their voluntary OTA practices this week, we've now had a chance to see the team's 11-person draft class on the field. With minicamp on the horizon, let's offer up some first impressions. There is, of course, still a long way to go for these rookies and plenty of development that coaches are banking on. But here's how things stack up in early June.
Off the field, Campbell has done everything you'd want from the No. 4 pick. He says the right things, has vowed to protect Maye and stuck around after practice to pick veterans' brains. On the field, it's been up and down. But that's to be expected, as multiple coaches noted, especially from a rookie offensive lineman.
Most every play is lined up as third-and-10, so rushers can pin their ears back and go. Playbooks are still being learned, and no one is wearing pads, so there's an early advantage for speed rushers, which hurts players like Campbell. Even if the Pats O-line has been beaten on the edges so far (including Campbell), it doesn't really matter unless it continues well into August.
2025 outlook: There's little doubt he's going to be the starting left tackle. OTAs aren't a great setup for him since it favors speedy edge rushers. But the future is bright, and that should show up more in training camp.
I was pretty critical of this pick when the Pats took him in the second round. (I didn't think a rebuilding team needed to use a pick that high on a running back.) But Henderson is a ton of fun to watch and brings a pop that the offense doesn't have without him. He has been the lone consistently explosive player in OTAs. His speed is obvious. He might be the most fun player for fans to watch in training camp.
2025 outlook: My bold prediction: Henderson overtakes Rhamondre Stevenson as the starting running back in the first half of the season and leads the team in rushing yards.
Like all rookies, he's had ups and downs. So far, what's been good to see is that he isn't a repeat offender with his mistakes (which has been an issue with some rookie receivers the Patriots have drafted in recent years). One thing to keep an eye on in camp? On an offense that lacks juice, he needs to prove to Maye that he can be a downfield target.
2025 outlook: The guess here is he'll be the team's No. 4 wide receiver, eventually settling into a role behind Demario Douglas, Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins or Kayshon Boutte.
He has been a limited participant, so it's difficult to glean too much. But his athleticism is intriguing, and he looks the part (along with his athletic testing) of a long-term center in the NFL.
2025 outlook: Training camp will bring a competition between him and Garrett Bradbury for the starting job, but Bradbury probably enters with a slight leg up, which could put Wilson on the bench to start the season.
Teammates have raved about the way Woodson has taken to the defense and his maturity on the back end. He has gotten additional reps because of Kyle Dugger's injury, and so far, he's making the most of them.
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2025 outlook: It's going to be a crowded group of safeties, which could make it tough for Woodson to carve out a role, but he should contribute on special teams if nothing else.
It's tough for interior defensive linemen to stand out in OTAs since there are far more passing plays than rushes. That said, he has already shown nice instincts filling a hole in a simulated rush and tipping a pass on Monday.
2025 outlook: He'll likely begin as a backup but has a chance to carve out a bigger role if he plays well against the run.
With the defensive front seven rotating a lot, Swinson has had plenty of early opportunities and shown flashes with some burst off the edge. Again, this portion of the offseason favors players like Swinson, but it's not a bad thing to stand out.
2025 outlook: The opportunity is there for him to carve out a role since a lot is unsettled on the edge, but he'll be behind Harold Landry and Keion White.
I stood behind the kick returners on Monday, and it was interesting hearing them tell each other to adjust because Borregales' kicks were coming in from a higher trajectory than John Parker Romo's, a testament to the rookie's strong leg.
2025 outlook: Barring a terrible camp, he'll be the kicker.
Bryant is typically one of the final players to leave the practice field and has taken to following right tackle Morgan Moses around, since the vet has been so willing to share tidbits between plays and on the sideline.
2025 outlook: A spot on the practice squad is most likely, but he could develop into a swing tackle down the road.
2025 outlook: Not much to report here other than the snaps at practice seem fine and Ashby will be the new long snapper, following the incredible run Joe Cardona had with the Patriots at the position.
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Carlton Davis wasn't at practice Monday, so Minor got extra reps. It's tough to evaluate too much since corners are told 50-50 balls in OTAs should go to receivers, but speed could be an issue for him once the pads come on.
2025 outlook: He's probably a long shot to make the squad, but nothing is settled for the Pats at cornerback behind Christian Gonzalez and Davis.
(Photo of Will Campbell: Eric Canha / Imagn Images)
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