The Patriots are closing in on their first real test of the 2026 season, and a lot of the summer buzz has shifted toward the players who have climbed the depth chart in camp. With the Indianapolis Colts coming to town for a joint practice before Thursday’s preseason opener, New England finally gets a chance to measure some of its younger names against another team after 12 straight intrasquad practices.
That matters most for the guys fighting to stick. The preseason is where the back half of the roster gets a real stage, and for a few offensive players, camp has already done the heavy lifting. They’ve earned more snaps, more trust and, in some cases, a real shot at bigger roles.
At quarterback, the Patriots are set with Drake Maye, who is expected to be among the league’s best in his third season. The more interesting camp story has been the backup job, and Tommy DeVito has made it a legitimate bright spot.
He was already New England’s third quarterback last season, but he’s turned heads in camp and delivered his loudest showing yet in Friday’s intrasquad scrimmage, when he went 13-for-16 with two touchdowns against Maye. That kind of outing has him looking like a very capable No.
Wide receiver is crowded, but Efton Chism has forced his way into the conversation. A few months ago, the expected group looked like A.J.
Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas. After the way camp has gone, Chism belongs in that mix.
He’s been working with the first offense, staying busy with the second unit, and even mixing in at kick and punt returner. In a room this packed, that kind of versatility makes him hard to cut loose.
Tight end has produced a pair of camp risers as well. One of them is rookie C.J.
Raridon, who was effectively moved up before camp after Julian Hill’s season-ending injury in the spring. The Notre Dame rookie didn’t come in with eye-popping receiving numbers, and he said he’s still learning the offense, but his progress has shown up quickly.
He caught three passes from Maye in the scrimmage, and his 6-foot-6 frame gives the Patriots a real middle-of-the-field target.
Then there’s Jack Arkin, who may be the biggest UDFA riser on the roster. The Illinois product has carved out his space by doing the dirty work as an in-line blocker, and that’s put him in position to lead the race for the TE3 job. He has not played in a preseason game yet, but he’s already been trusted in valuable spots, showing up as both a pass blocker and a run blocker and even catching a few passes with the top unit.
Up front, Cole Rupcich has also pushed himself into the mix. He spent time on New England’s practice squad last year and started gaining momentum during OTAs, then kept it going through the summer by moving around at guard and center.
He’s been working with Ben Brown on the second unit and has even logged time at left guard with the starting offense. The 27-year-old is battling Mehki Butler, JonDarius Morgan, Caedan Wallace and recently converted tackle James Hudson for one of the final interior spots, but his ability to handle all three interior positions gives him a stronger path than most.
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Patriots Receiver Battle Just Took A Surprising Turn For Bubble Playmakers
The Patriots wide receiver room is suddenly looking like one of the more interesting roster battles on the team, with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs viewed as the top two options and a cluster of bubble players fighting for what remains. Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams are all in the mix as the coaching staff sorts through a group that feels crowded even before the final decisions start coming down.
Mike Vrabel has already signaled that New England could keep the receiver competition open deeper into the process, and that only adds another layer to a position group that has been impossible to settle. Boutte has also been part of trade chatter, which keeps the spotlight on who can separate themselves in the coming weeks, and the Patriots are still weighing not just talent but fit as they shape the final roster. [Read more 🡒]
Mike Vrabel Is Already Giving The Patriots A Different Edge
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Christian Gonzalez and A.J. Brown have been among the players leaning into that environment, pushing each other in intense but respectful reps that say something about the teams depth as much as its attitude. Vrabel has also been clear that competitiveness only works if it stays authentic and controlled, a balance the Patriots will keep trying to strike as camp moves along. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Cornerback Battle Just Got More Urgent Behind Marcus Jones
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The absence is significant because it comes during a stretch when every rep carries extra weight, especially with preseason action approaching. For the Patriots, this is less about finding a headline name and more about identifying a corner who can be trusted if the depth chart is tested, and Davis missed time has made that evaluation far more urgent. [Read more 🡒]