The New England Patriots’ 2026 training camp isn’t just around the corner anymore. It’s here.
At 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, the reigning AFC champions will take the field for the first time. With that, the competition for the roster spots will heat up immensely. With currently 92 players on the team but only 53 spots available, players will try to put their best foot forward from the get-go and show that they are indeed deserving of making the cut over their peers.
How that will shake out remains to be
seen. From our perspective, at least, the following will happen.
Welcome to the first roster projection of the summer.
Quarterback
In (2): Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito
Out (1): Behren Morton
Drake Maye took a massive sophomore leap last season, finishing just shy of being named MVP. In his third season and second with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, he looks to continue his growth as The Guy in New England.
Rookie seventh-round pick Behren Morton has an intriguing profile as a backup quarterback behind Drake Maye, but he lands outside the 53-man roster and likely on the practice squad here until we see him earn a spot in camp. Veteran backup Tommy DeVito is fine enough for that spot and knows the system, so he gets the nod.
If we’re thinking about either Morton or DeVito at any point past Labor Day, something has gone seriously wrong. With Drake Maye at the helm, the only play either of them should need to know this year is run out of victory formation.
Running back
In (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Jam Miller
Out (3): Lan Larison, Terrell Jennings, Myles Montgomery
After early fumbles had fans calling for Rhamondre Stevenson to be cut last year, he quickly turned the season around and became a dependable three-down weapon. He’s the team’s most consistent runner between the tackles, most consistent pass blocker in the backfield, and best route runner at the position. He’ll be joined by TreVeyon Henderson, a boom-or-bust threat who singlehandedly won multiple games for the Pats last season but who needs to have less “bust” in his game to be a more dependable option down to down.
In this projection, they’re joined by rookie seventh-rounder Jam Miller from Alabama. Miller projects as a solid backup for Stevenson as a between-the-tackles runner, edging out Terrell Jennings for that role. Second-year UDFA Lan Larison and rookie UDFA Myles Montgomery add more in the passing game and could challenge for the third running back slot or force the team to keep four on the roster.
Fullback
In (1): Reggie Gilliam
Out (1): Jack Westover
Reggie Gilliam is a quality starter at fullback, spending the last six seasons in Buffalo where he played in 108 games and started 13. The Patriots signed him to a three-year, $12 million contract this offseason to help improve a running game that struggled for most of last season.
He’s a clear upgrade over Westover, who made the position change from tight end to fullback after UDFA Brock Lampe was injured early in camp last year. Westover may still make the 53-man roster as a third tight end and backup fullback, but for now his role projects as backup fullback in camp who may make the practice squad.
Tight end
In (3): Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon, C.J. Dippre
Out (3): Tanner Arkin, Mitch Van Vooren, Jeremiah Franklin
IR (1): Julian Hill
Veteran Hunter Henry returns for a sixth season in New England, looking to reprise his role as Drake Maye’s safety blanket. He had a career-best season with 768 receiving yards last year, beating out his 674 yards from the year before. It is safe to say Maye likes throwing the ball his way.
New England added Dolphins tight end Julian Hill as a blocking tight end in free agency, but an injury in June ended his first year with the Patriots early. That thrusts rookie third-round pick Eli Raridon out of Notre Dame into a bigger role as the second tight end on the depth chart.
Behind Raridon is an open competition for the third tight end spot. C.J. Dippre gets the nod here for his blocking skills and experience in the system, although he is starting the summer on the PUP list. That will give Westover, Tanner Arkin, and the newly signed Mitch Van Vooren and Jeremiah Franklin an opportunity to fight for that role, and the Patriots may continue to add at the position.
Wide receiver
In (6): A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas
Out (5): Efton Chism III, Jeremiah Webb, Nick DeGennaro, Cameron Dorner, Kyle Dixon
IR (1): Jimmy Kibble
It’s not that long ago that wide receiver was the weakest position on New England’s roster. Now, the Patriots enter camp with it being their deepest. Trade addition AJ Brown is a clear No. 1 option who can line up anywhere on the field, and free agent signing Romeo Doubs is a consistent No. 2 who also has versatility.
After those two, Josh McDaniels has a host of options to put out there in the third receiver slot. Kayshon Boutte is the best all-around receiver who has real chemistry with Maye. He may end up being traded, but for now he lands on the roster. Behind him, second-year wideout Kyle Williams is your speed option to threaten safeties and create big plays. Veteran Mack Hollins is your power-slot receiver who can block well and make catches away from his body. DeMario Douglas returns as the team’s most natural man-beating slot receiver, where his speed and twitch make him hard to cover. Efton Chism narrowly misses the cut here, but if Boutte is traded or an injury happens at this position, he’s the next guy up.
It will be tough for anyone outside those seven to threaten for a roster spot, although Jeremiah Webb is another returning UDFA from last year who flashed as a kick returner in camp.
Offensive tackle
In (4): Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu, James Hudson III
Out (3): Marcus Bryant, Dametrious Crownover, Lorenz Metz
If wide receiver wasn’t the weakest position on the roster in 2024, offensive tackle was. New England responded by using their 2025 (Will Campbell) and 2026 (Caleb Lomu) first-round picks at the position while signing Morgan Moses as a bridge starter. The Patriots hope Campbell will look better at left tackle in year two after recovering from an injury that hampered his play in the second half of his rookie year, and the veteran Moses looks to put together another solid season at right tackle after playing more snaps than any other offensive lineman last season. Rookie Lomu projects as a backup at four spots on the offensive line in year one while he hits the weight room to put on muscle.
Behind those three, I have veteran James Hudson cracking the roster to provide a high floor at the position. He’s a competent backup swing tackle with experience in the league, and they may need that in a group with two young players. A pair of day-three picks in Marcus Bryant, who fell out of favor last year for Thayer Munford, and rookie Dametrious Crownover are intriguing developmental options who may land on the practice squad for more seasoning.
Interior offensive line
In (6): Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Ben Brown, Andrew Rupcich, Caedan Wallace
Out (4): Mehki Butler, Sebastian Gutierrez, Jacob Rizy, JonDarius Morgan
The Patriots bolstered their line by adding one of the riskiest free agents to start at left guard. Alijah Vera-Tucker is a player who could be an All-Pro at his position, starring as a dynamic run blocker. The catch? He’s only on the field about half the time due to a series of injuries throughout his career. He’ll start next to Jared Wilson, last year’s left guard who slides over into his more natural position at center. Wilson was the weakest link on the line last year, but the position change combined with a second year in the system could be the boost he needs to reach his potential. Michael Onwenu returns on the right side, where he has been a quality starter for a number of years.
Behind those three, veteran Ben Brown is a competent backup who can fill in at any spot, earning a contract extension for his play in that role last season. After him, things get interesting. Andrew Rupcich earns a nod as a veteran option at guard. Rupcich played in Tennessee since 2022 before being released in September of last season, and he spent the rest of the year on New England’s practice squad. He has familiarity with the offense and with Vrabel. Caedan Wallace was drafted in 2024 and earns the 53rd spot on my projection because of his capability to be a backup at guard or tackle.
Depth on the interior will be a situation to monitor with Vera-Tucker’s injury history and Wilson’s struggles last year. Caleb Lomu also likely figures into this equation, and there’s the off chance we revisit the Will Campbell-to-guard conversation at some point depending on his play. After the top four on the interior, though, this competition appears to be wide open for what may be multiple spots. When the pads come on, this should be one of the position groups to watch in camp.
Defensive tackle
In (5): Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Leonard Taylor III
Out (4): Eric Gregory, Jeremiah Pharms Jr, David Blay Jr, Isaiah Iton
Milton Williams and Christian Barmore enter 2026 looking to reprise their role as one of the best defensive tackle tandems in the sport. This roster projection has the Patriots keeping three players as depth options behind them.
Cory Durden is an emotional tone-setter for the defensive line who flashed throughout last season, and he projects as the team’s third option. Leonard Taylor made one of the biggest plays of last year’s AFC Championship Game, blocking a tying field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter. Joshua Farmer missed a chunk of last season due to injury, but the 2025 fourth-round selection was seen as a steal at the time and has the talent to earn real playing time.
All four tackles left off this roster have a chance to earn a spot and may find themselves on the practice squad. Eric Gregory and Jeremiah Pharms each have given quality reps in live game action, and David Blay is an intriguing UDFA as an undersized defensive tackle who spent time at Louisiana Tech, a profile not unlike Milton Williams. Isaiah Iton flashed in camp last year before missing the season with an injury.
Defensive edge
In (5): Dre’Mont Jones, Harold Landry III, Elijah Ponder, Gabe Jacas, Bradyn Swinson
Out (3): Quintayvious Hutchins, Jesse Luketa, Xavier Holmes
Dre’Mont Jones was one of the team’s big signings this offseason after the team was unable to acquire him at the trade deadline last year, and he projects as an immediate upgrade for the run defense. After him, the depth gets interesting. Harold Landry was hampered by an injury for most of last season, and he is starting camp on the PUP list this year recovering from it.
Second-round selection Gabe Jacas has reportedly dealt with some injuries this offseason and remains unsigned as camp is set to begin, although Mike Vrabel called discussions “positive.”
Two rookies from last year, fifth-round selection Bradyn Swinson and UDFA Elijah Ponder make the cut in this projection. Ponder finished last season strong, especially with Landry banged up, and he has the athletic traits to turn into a starting quality player if he can put it all together. Swinson didn’t make the cut last year, but he earned his way back onto the roster from the practice squad and also was seen as a top-100 talent before last year’s draft.
Don’t be surprised if the team makes a veteran addition at this position to bolster the depth, especially with the uncertainty around two key players.
Linebacker
In (5): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, K.J. Britt, Namdi Obiazor, Chad Muma
Out (4): Otis Reese, Amari Gainer, Khalil Jacobs, Riley Wilson
A key cog in last year’s defense, Robert Spillane remains the man in the middle for New England. Behind him, Christian Elliss returns as the team’s second linebacker after a solid year in that role in 2025. Free agent signee K.J. Britt figures in as a depth piece here, while rookie Namdi Obiazor and veteran Chad Muma crack the cut here as special teamers who can also play in a pinch if needed. Those two will compete with players like running back Lan Larison and the depth options at tight end for those special teams roles.
Cornerback
In (5): Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, Carlton Davis III, Charles Woods, Kindle Vildor
Out (6): Karon Prunty, Marcellas Dial Jr, Kobee Minor, Kenneth Harris, Brandon Crossley, Channing Canada
Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, and Carlton Davis return in 2026 as one of the best cornerback trios in the NFL. Their strength on the back end is what gives the team versatility in coverage and in blitz schemes. Behind them, Charles Woods was both quality outside corner depth last season and a useful player on special teams. Veteran free agent addition Kindle Vildor should be a good depth option for the slot behind Marcus Jones, although bigger body option Marcellas Dial will challenge for that role if the Patriots want a different body type there.
Karon Prunty and Kobee Minor, a pair of day three picks at outside corner in the last two drafts will push Woods for a backup outside corner spot. Both bring interesting traits to the table and could earn playing time this season.
Safety
In (5): Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson, Mike Brown, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler
Out (2): John Saunders Jr, Peter Manuma
Craig Woodson became one of the best players on New England’s defense by the end of his rookie season, and pairing him with ballhawk Kevin Byard in the back end makes a strength of this team even better. Those two should be dynamic for this Patriots defense. Free agent signing Mike Brown and veteran Dell Pettus are expected to provide quality depth and special teams ability, while Brenden Schooler, starting camp on the NFI list, should return as one of the top special teamers in the league today.
Special teams
In (3): Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby
Out: N/A
The Patriots have just one player each at kicker, punter, and long snapper. Borregales will look to build on a successful rookie season, while Baringer will look to bounce back from an up and down 2025. New England brought in another long snapper earlier in the offseason, but the team seems content with Ashby alone at the beginning of camp.
