The New England Patriots will have plenty of questions to answer when they open training camp.
How will the quarterback depth chart play out? Which receivers will emerge from New England’s room? Will the offensive line fare better on the field than it looks on paper?
With the Patriots beginning training camp July 24, we highlighted five breakout candidates who could help address those questions and others:
Drake Maye, QB
Too obvious? Maybe. But the rookie signal-caller is far and away the biggest storyline. Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, enters training camp behind veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, the expected Week 1 starter. Maye, however, proved this spring how quickly he catches on and adds what he’s learning in the classroom to his on-field progression. Patriots fans shouldn’t judge Maye’s training camp strictly on whether or not he unseats Brissett, but could it play out that way?
Keion White, DE
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo name-dropped the second-year defender as a player who stood out during the spring. Defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery lauded White for his upside, as well. It’s clear the Patriots have big plans for White, a 2023 second-round pick, who saw 49% of defensive snaps in his rookie season. And the defensive line certainly could use someone to complement Christian Barmore.
“He’s always been a strong guy but I would say he’s even stronger now,” Mayo said this spring. “He’s doing a good job each and every day, and in meeting rooms, he’s actually kind of talking and leading those conversations, which I think is important.”
Alex Austin, CB
The Patriots have their top cornerback in Christian Gonzalez. But they do have a question about who will play outside opposite of Gonzalez. Austin played that role during the pad-less spring — Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones did not practice — and is in the mix. It likely would mean the Patriots view Gonzalez and the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Austin as their best outside pairing with veteran Jonathan Jones in the slot. Marcus Jones, who had a disappointing second season, will be fighting for a top spot as well.
“When we finished up last year he was one of those guys like, ‘Look, this is an NFL player,'” Mayo said. “It’s good to see him coming back in shape and making plays.”
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR
Polk ended mandatory minicamp on a high note this spring, and Patriots fans surely hope he will build on it throughout training camp. With more time to gain familiarity with the offense and specifically with Maye, it shouldn’t surprise if the 2024 second-round pick competes with Demario Douglas as New England’s top pass-catching option.
Sidy Sow, OL
The Patriots have plenty of questions along the offensive line outside of center David Andrews and right tackle Mike Onwenu. New England rotated a handful of combinations during the unpadded spring and Sow frequently worked on the top unit. He’ll have the opportunity to lock down one of the starting guard spots in training camp. Pro Football Focus also labeled Sow as New England’s breakout candidate due to his effectiveness in pass-blocking to end the 2023 campaign.
