The Patriots are seven practices into training camp, with three of those sessions in full pads, and the first look at their 2026 draft class is starting to take shape. Some rookies are already piling up meaningful reps with the first team. Others are fighting for every snap they can get.
At the front of the group, Lomu has already logged significant work with both New England’s first- and second-team offenses. With veteran Morgan Moses being load managed, the 21-year-old has been the next man up at right tackle. Moses had plenty of praise for him Monday.
"He's eager to learn," Moses said Monday. "He's a talented guy.
He's a smart guy. And then, he's coming in and he's playing a combination of different positions."
In camp drills, Lomu has lined up only at right tackle and as a sixth lineman, but he did spend time at left tackle and guard during the spring. His long-term path appears tied to Moses, though for now he may be the top backup on both edges.
Gabe Jacas has had a different kind of start. He arrived late because of a contract dispute, landed on the non-football injury list while recovering from a knee procedure, and finally got on the field Saturday in a limited capacity. Mike Vrabel made it clear Jacas has been itching for this chance.
"He loves football," Mike Vrabel said. "He's been itching to get back. He texts me late at night, 'Hey, am I going to practice tomorrow?'"
Jacas made an immediate impression in that first workout, even knocking down outside linebackers coach Mike Smith during a positional drill. New England’s second-round pick could be in full team work as soon as Monday.
At tight end, Eli Raridon has been pushed into a bigger role fast. With Julian Hill out for the season and CJ Dippre beginning camp on the physically unable to perform list, Raridon quickly became the Patriots’ second tight end behind Hunter Henry. Henry likes what he’s seen.
"Eli's doing a great job, man" Henry said on Saturday. "He's taking the classroom to the field, learning a lot of things.
You can see the game slowing down for him a little bit. Every single time he gets reps, he learns from those reps.
Raridon has been one of camp’s bright spots, rotating with both the first and second units. Drake Maye took note of the 6-foot-6, 245-pound rookie’s ability to move.
"He's a big dude, first off, that can run," Maye said. "I mean, that's pretty cool. And he's smart."
In the secondary, Prunty has mostly worked with the second-team defense, part of a mix that has also included veteran Kindle Vildor and sophomore Kobee Minor. His biggest moment so far came Saturday, when he picked off Tommy DeVito on a deep ball intended for Cameron Dorner. Charles Woods says the rookie is trending the right way.
"He's steady improving," third-year cornerback Charles Woods said on Friday. "He's starting to talk more now, so that's a good thing."
Prunty entered camp with a shot at being the top backup corner, but that role now appears to belong to Woods, who has stepped in for the injured Carlton Davis. Even so, Prunty still looks on track to make the 53-man roster as the fifth corner.
Crownover has been buried a bit deeper in a crowded tackle room. Campbell, Moses and Lomu are all locks, while Marcus Bryant and Ronnie Hudson have been working with the second-team offense.
Crownover has been with the third unit, though he flashed on Friday in one-on-one blocking drills. At 6-foot-7 and 319 pounds, his frame and edge could help him climb past Bryant or Hudson.
Obiazor faces a tougher path. He currently sits as the Patriots’ sixth linebacker, and New England would likely keep only four.
He has mostly worked with the third-team defense, while undrafted free agent Khalil Jacobs has rotated with veterans K.J. Britt and Chad Muma on the second unit.
Robert Spillane liked what he saw from both young linebackers.
"They came in here willing to work, willing to do whatever it takes, open books," veteran Robert Spillane said about Obiazor and Jacobs. "They want to learn.
They want to get better. They want to work their craft.
And as a veteran, that's all you look for in a young guy."
Obiazor also brings special teams value, something he embraced at TCU, and strong preseason play could still push him onto the roster.
At quarterback, Morton is not expected to crack the top two behind Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito, but he has looked more comfortable in Josh McDaniels’ offense than most seventh-round rookies do this early. DeVito sees a quarterback who can make things happen.
"I mean, he can spin it," DeVito said. "He's confident.
He's fun to be around. And I'm looking forward to see his progression into the preseason."
Through three days of fully padded practices, Morton has completed seven of 12 passes in team drills and is expected to get plenty of preseason action.
The running back battle also remains unsettled beyond Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. Terrell Jennings was the pre-camp favorite for the third spot, but he opened camp on the non-football injury list and still hasn’t practiced. Lan Larison has been working as the third back, including some snaps with the starters, while Miller has a real shot to take that job if he outplays Larison in the preseason.
"I see them putting their best foot forward every day," Stevenson said when asked about Miller and undrafted free agent Myles Montgomery. "Coming in here, trying to learn, and that's all we can ask for, really."
Finally, Hutchins is trying to wedge his way into an edge rusher group that has left the door slightly ajar. He’s behind Harold Landry and Dre’Mont Jones, as well as Jacas, Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson, so making the roster will be an uphill climb. Vrabel acknowledged the position’s need for young help on July 25.
"Certainly with Q, somebody on the edge, we’re always looking for young pash rushers that can help you," Vrabel said on July 25.
Hutchins’ best path may depend on Landry, who opened camp on the physically unable to perform list and has yet to practice. If Landry isn’t ready by the regular season, Hutchins could work his way into a depth role on the 53-man roster.
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