Pats Pulpit
Next on the New England Patriots’ offseason schedule is training camp, with the first public practice scheduled for July 25. During those sessions, the Patriots will begin the process of shaping their final roster for the 2026 season.
After making various changes to positions of need this offseason, New England enters summer camp with plenty to evaluate. So, we are preemptively analyzing each position group ahead of our training camp preview series.
Here’s how we ranked each position.
New England always seems to have a sound cornerback room every year, and 2026 is slated to be no different with the exceptional trio of Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones.
While there’s uncertain depth behind the starters, the Patriots added bodies this offseason, which should help that group take shape by the end of the summer. Charles Woods was a serviceable substitute last season, and now they’ve added physical fifth-round rookie Karon Prunty and veteran Kindle Vildor to the mix.
Just below the cornerback corps is New England’s quarterback room, with 2025 MVP runner-up Drake Maye at the helm. Similar to the forementioned group, Tommy DeVito and seventh-round selection Behren Morton are developing backups in the NFL.
DeVito is a different offensive fit compared to former backup Josh Dobbs, but he’s previously won games with the New York Giants. Furthermore, as of now, Morton needs further refinement before he factors in as a true backup.
Flipping sides of the ball to the trenches, the defensive line lost nose tackle Khyiris Tonga in free agency, yet the coaching staff has shown trust in last year’s depth. Head coach Mike Vrabel said earlier this offseason that Cory Durden has already proved he’s stepped up and called the entire room a “good group.”
Pairing the uprising talent with the disruptive duo of Milton Williams and Christian Barmore should make the defensive front a staple of this Patriots defense once again.
The wide receiver room underwent significant change this offseason. New England added Super Bowl champion A.J. Brown and former Packer Romeo Doubs to the mix after releasing veteran Stefon Diggs before free agency.
In addition to acquiring an elite receiver for Maye, the Patriots also retained last season’s depth. A supporting cast of Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams forms a deep group.
This offseason, the Patriots paired an up-and-coming Craig Woodson, who’s heading into his second season, with All-Pro and Vrabel disciple Kevin Byard. Both defensive backs together make an exceptional shell of the secondary.
Dell Pettus and Mike Brown also fill dependable dime package roles in the box; however, the group beneath Byard and Woodson lacks a reliable free-ranging safety.
New England continued to invest resources in the offensive line this offseason, signing impact left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and bolstering the depth at tackle, drafting Caleb Lomu in the first round and Dametrious Crownover in the sixth.
Now, with three proven veterans among...
