New England Patriots
There was much more good than bad for the Patriots this week.
DeMario Douglas makes a contested catch. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
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As coach Mike Vrabel explained on Tuesday, the reasoning behind holding joint practices is for frontline players to get work in without having to play in preseason games.
Patriots fans likely won’t see Drake Maye at all in Thursday’s preseason opener, Vrabel said. Other stars will likely be limited. The game will be an opportunity for the guys who didn’t get as much of a look during the joint practice to show what they can do.
So, now feels like a good time to take an updated look at who has risen and fallen over the past week since we did stock watch 1.0. There have been several practices, including the joint work with the Colts that provided some insight into how the team looked against a live opponent.
There was much more good than bad for the Patriots this week. Here’s a look at who’s up and who’s down ahead of Thursday’s game.
Stock up
Romeo Doubs, WR
After a quiet start to camp, Romea Doubs has really begun to piece things together over the past few practices.
He ended Monday’s practice with a leaping two-handed touchdown grab over Christian Gonzalez during the two-minute drill.
He continued his momentum on Monday, catching a touchdown during redzone 11 on 11s. He also got a nice gain out of a catch near the sideline on a pass from Maye. Those were just two of several catches during a strong joint practice showing.
Drake Maye, QB
Other than an interception on a poorly thrown ball at the end of practice, Maye was sharp against the Colts.
He was off-balance on a throw to Rhamondre Stevenson, but he floated the ball up with just enough touch for Stevenson to run under it for a touchdown. He went to DeMario Douglas repeatedly for big gains. His connection with Doubs and A.J. Brown continues to grow.
Maye spread the ball around to a variety of receivers and did it with poise and accuracy.
Will Campbell, OT
Campbell won both of his matchups in 1-on-1s during the joint practice and turned in another solid performance during team drills.
He continues to build on what has been a strong start to the summer despite dealing with an arm injury.
Vrabel said months ago that he’s sticking with Campbell at left tackle and there hasn’t been anything to suggest that that’s going to change anytime soon, even with the selection of offensive tackle Caleb Lomu in the first round.
Elijah Ponder, EDGE
Elijah Ponder disrupted a screen pass from Daniel Jones with a forceful swat.
The second-year edge rusher has showed a knack for getting into the backfield this summer, and he has an opportunity to earn real playing time given the Patriots’ depth issues on the edge.
Dre’Mont Jones has been good, Gabe Jacas could make a push for more playing time once he gets acclimated, and the Patriots are still awaiting Harold Landry’s return. Ponder has been available and he has made plays.
Eli Raridon, TE
Eli Raridon continues to look like a potential Day 1 contributor at tight end.
He has received an increased number of first-team reps this week, and he has produced consistently during practice.
His skill-set could give the Patriots a tall, fast, vertical threat to compliment Hunter Henry right away. He is getting opportunities and capitalizing on them.
Tommy DeVito, QB
Tommy DeVito made one of the best throws of the entire camp on Tuesday, hitting Kyle Williams in stride on a perfectly placed deep ball.
Although he has experience starting games for the Giants in the past, DeVito was the Patriots’ QB3 last year.
He’s looking comfortable as he settles into the backup role and has showed off a surprisingly strong arm. DeVito has found his “flow state,” safety Dell Pettus told reporters.
Cory Durden, DT
Cory Durden appeared to force a fumble on a sack, but a penalty negated the play.
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound defensive tackle held up well while filling in for Christian Barmore. He has also made an impact with his physicality.
When asked about his “welcome to the NFL moment,” the rookie tight-end pointed out a rep when he tried to block Durden.
“I definitely felt him,” Durden said.
John Saunders, S
John Saunders was the only Patriot with a takeaway, scooping an interception off of a tipped pass during the situational scrimmage portion at the end of practice.
He was at the right place in the right time. Credit to him for making the play.
Saunders is still pretty far down the Patriots’ depth chart, with Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson as the starters. Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler both made the 53-man roster last year.
But, forcing a turnover on a day where there weren’t many is something that stood out.
DeMario Douglas, WR
Douglas was all over the field on Tuesday, using his quickness to get open on a variety of routes. He also had a contested catch during 1-on-1s.
Maye looked for Douglas early and often on Tuesday, perhaps a little too much. Maye threw his only interception of the practice trying to force the ball to the slot receiver.
Nonetheless, it was a strong performance from the shifty slot receiver.
Stock Down
Behren Morton, QB
Behren Morton did not make an appearance in the joint practice scrimmages.
Based on what Vrabel said, that probably means the third-string QB will get a chance to play on Thursday. Maye is not expected to play and DeVito probably won’t play the whole game.
So, there’s an opportunity to change this stock report right away.
Jam Miller, RB
Terrell Jennings seems to have the edge in the battle for the third running back spot at the moment.
Both Jennings and Lan Larrison have also been getting consistent reps at the kick returner spots.
It’s not that Jam Miller has been bad, necessarily, it’s just that Jennings’s return has meant fewer snaps.
Jack Westover, TE
With Raridon’s emergence and the signing of Reggie Gilliam, it’s getting harder to envision a spot on the 53-man roster for Jack Westover.
The Patriots moved him from fullback to tight end this summer, but it appears CJ Dippre and Tanner Arkin are battling it out for the third tight end spot.
Roster spots can be scarce at fullback and tight end, and the Patriots’ new additions seem to be getting more opportunities.
Reserve cornerbacks as a group
Christian Gonzalez was out on Tuesday, Carlton Davis was limited and the Patriots’ secondary had a rough showing without them. It’s hard to single anyone out in particular when the Colts were able to complete 11 straight passes at one point during scrimmages.
So far, Charles Woods and Kindle Vildor have been the top backups, with rookie Karon Prunty mixing in as well.
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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