Patriots position groups, ranked ahead of training camp
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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.
AdvertisementAdvertisementHere’s how we ranked each position.
Cornerback
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.
Quarterback
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.
Defensive line
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.
AdvertisementAdvertisementWide receiver
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.
Safety
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.
Offensive line
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 the starting five, the ceiling of the group next season largely relies on the health of Will Campbell and Jared Wilson’s readjustment to center.
Running back
2026 marks the second year of the new Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson tandem. Similarly to the offensive line in front of this group, their potential mostly hinges on Henderson’s development as a runner between the tackles. At the same time, the addition of Vera-Tucker should benefit Stevenson, who didn’t fumble after Week 5 last season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementBehind them, the battle for the third running back spot remains unfinished. After adding two undrafted rookies, the Patriots will need one of their reserve backs to emerge as a dependable contributor.
Special teams
Kicker Andy Borregales recovered quickly from a shaky start to his rookie season in 2025, concluding the year making 84.4% of his field goal attempts and 53 of his 55 extra-point attempts. On the punting unit, Bryce Baringer is a talented punter, but his inconsistencies hurt the team at times, leaving room for improvement. Julian Ashby was a reliable long snapper in his rookie season as well.
Defensive edge
Vrabel and Co. addressed the pass-rushing corps on paper this offseason, but second-round rookie and veteran Harold Landry have yet to practice with the team. Jacas has not been signed to his rookie deal while Landry is rehabbing from knee surgey.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe addition of Dre’Mont Jones signals improvement. Still, like the depth at running back, one of the rookies or second-year players will need to step up in the absence of Jacas and Landry. 2025 undrafted free agent Elijah Ponder is an immediate name that comes to mind.
Linebacker
Behind the pass rushers, Robert Spillane is still leading the linebacker room heading into next season, with a few depth additions in sixth-round rookie Namdi Obiazor, veteran K.J. Britt, Jesse Luketa and UDFA Khalil Jacobs.
Christian Elliss has proven to be a capable weakside backer next to Spillane, but a glaring issue arises if Spillane misses time. At this point, it’s difficult to imagine any of the supporting cast effectively filling that role.
AdvertisementAdvertisementTight end
Finally, back on the offensive side, the tight end room took a significant hit from Julian Hill’s season-ending injury, with third-round rookie Eli Raridon now thrust into the No. 2 spot. The rookie can be a skilled pass-catcher early. That said, he still needs to improve as a blocker, which possibly forces New England to look outside of the organization for assistance.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
