Patriots: 10 players I am watching in training camp

Posted By on July 27, 2022

Training camp has officially kicked off and I am watching these ten players this summer.

1. Mac Jones: Jones development is the key to success for the Patriots. If he takes the next step and gets better, the Patriots will be better. Regardless of who is calling the offense, Training camp and the pre-season will go a long way in telling us where Jones is in his development. Bill Belichick seems to be pretty happy so far.

2. Jonnu Smith: Smith was a free agent bust last season and failed to live to his big contract. Former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels tried to use him in a variety of ways to get him touches but it didn’t help. Smith struggled mightily. If the Patriots can him back on track however, that will be huge for an offense that has a variety of skill players at its disposal.

3. Cameron McGrone: McGrone has recovered from a knee injury that forced him to miss all of his rookie season. He will get every opportunity to compete for a starting job. The Patriots wanted to get faster on defense and it starts at linebacker. McGrone has good size at 6-1 236 and he plays fast post snap. He has all the tools to start at SAM linebacker and be a three down player.

4. Ronnie Perkins: The second year EDGE missed all of his rookie season due to injury as well. When healthy, Perkins has the first step quickness and explosiveness to be a factor as a pass rusher. The Patriots need someone who can complement Matthew Judon and get consistent pressure on the quarterback. Perkins could be that guy.

5. Cole Strange: The Patriots are counting on the rookie guard to step in and start from day one. He has the size (6-4 307) and the athleticism necessary to dominate at the position. He also plays with a nasty disposition which is a prerequisite to playing the position. Many have compared Strange to former Patriot Logan Mankins but he might be better because of his physical traits.

6. Malcolm Butler: The Super Bowl XLIX hero is back after spending time with the Titans and a brief stint with the Cardinals before retiring. Butler decided to come back and he signed a two year deal with the Patriots. Camp will give us the opportunity to see what Butler still has left in the tank. The institutional knowledge of the defense is probably still there but does he have anything left physically? We’ll see.

7. Mack Wilson: Wilson was acquired in a trade for Chase Winovich. Wilson is part of the plan to get faster on defense and he certainly plays fast. He has good instincts and the physicality teams look for in an outside linebacker. The question is, does he fit Belichick’s multiple defense? We’ll see. The sooner Wilson gets acclimated to the defense, the better. The Patriots are counting on him to make a difference.

8. Jabril Peppers: Peppers hasn’t lived up to his first round draft status but his ability to play corner or safety makes him a player who is valuable to the Patriots. Schematically, he couldn’t have asked for a better fit than New England. The defensive staff will use Peppers in a variety of packages and they will move him around in terms of their coverages. He could be a three down factor for this defense. He will need a strong camp so that he can carve out a role in what is a deep secondary.

9. Michael Onwenu: Big Mike struggled to live up to his superb rookie season and took a step back. Part of the reason he struggled last season is the fact that he didn’t have a permanent position. He was bouncing back and forth from guard to tackle. With Trent Brown back at right tackle, hopefully Onwenu settles in at guard. If Brown kicks over to left tackle, then Onwenu can be the right tackle. Either way. He needs to play one position and stay there.

10. Tyquan Thornton: Thornton will find it hard to get on the field with all the receivers and tight ends that require touches. The one thing that the rookie second rounder has going for him is his speed. He can fly. That speed and the ability to make big plays is what could get him on the field. If Thornton pops at camp and showcases that ability, he could get on the field sooner than later.