Patriots Could Have Unprecedented Experience During Training Camp

The New England Patriots’ crop of undrafted free agents could be among the most impactful we’ve seen in recent seasons.

Is that a bit strong considering the fact training camp practices haven’t even begun? 

Yes, but bear with me!

The NFL as a whole has discovered a few diamonds in the rough over the last several seasons. Jaylen McCullough and Omar Speights made a decent impact with the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, each serving as legitimate contributors on a team that was one or two plays away from a conference title game appearance. The Las Vegas Raiders signed six future starters back in 2019 – offensive linemen Lester Cotton and Andre James, wide receiver Keelan Doss, punter A.J. Cole, fullback Alec Ingold and cornerback Keisean Nixon – with the latter two eventually thriving for other franchises. The Baltimore Ravens signed a Pro Bowl quarterback and a WWE Intercontinental Champion back in 2020.

Seriously, look it up.

The Patriots’ 2025 class just has something about it, though.

I don’t know if they’ll reach never-before-seen heights or anything, but given the success of the organization’s UDFAs over the last two decades, it’s not all that surprising these dudes signed up to live in Foxboro, Mass.

New England carried a streak of at least one free agent rookie carried on its initial roster from 2004 to 2023 — with Jonathan Jones, David Andrews and Malcolm Butler becoming bonafide starters on super bowl teams, while Jakobi Meyers, J.C. Jackson and Brenden Schooler all flashed throughout their tenures. James Develin, Brandon Bolden, Mike White, the list goes on.

No, Bill Belichick isn’t around to pick them out anymore, but these seven players – in my humble estimation – have a chance to help start another streak.

OL Jack Conley

Jack Conley is a 6-foot-7, 333-pounder who could play four of five positions along the offensive line. Those are the exact kinds of dudes who crack rosters. The Patriots’ offensive line has improved, but it still kinda stinks in terms of depth on the interior, so I could see the local product pushing veterans like Cole Strange, or even some younger guys like Tyrese Robinson or Sidy Sow.

New England has left things wide open at left guard, and there’s a serious need for someone with guard-tackle versatility on the second unit. I’m just sayin’ you should keep an eye on the kid.

EDGE Elijah Ponder

Elijah Ponder isn’t getting nearly enough love, but he could have been selected in the fifth round and no one would have batted an eye. He looks the part – standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 263 pounds – and has the production to back it up – finishing with 17 sacks over the last two seasons.

The Patriots have given him plenty of veteran competition in the likes of Harold Landry, Anfernee Jennings and K’Lavon Chaisson – as well as fellow rookie Bradyn Swinson – but you can never rule out a pass-rusher having a dominant camp and stealing a spot out from underneath someone else.

DT Jahvaree Ritzie

I haven’t seen anyone else talk about Jahvaree Ritzie, so if he has a couple of decent camp practices expect me to overreact. I don’t know what it is, but there is just something about him that screams, “I’m going to have a monster game against the New York Giants in the preseason finale.”

New England’s new defensive identity under Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams will require more depth on the interior defensive line, and if it were me, the younger guys would have more opportunities to earn reps over other bubble players like Jeremiah Pharms and Jaquelin Roy.

FB Brock Lampe

Josh McDaniels loves fullbacks, and Brock Lampe was the best of the bunch in this class, so don’t be surprised to see this versatile weapon find a role. Can’t you see Lampe, Rhamondre Stevenson and Drake Maye running some sort of power concept down at the goal line?

2020 brings back horrific memories for Patriots fans, but doesn’t even a small part of you all miss this?

WR Efton Chism III

Efton Chism is going to get the Julian Edelman/Cooper Kupp comps, which are lazy because the only reason he gets them is because… y’know. Anywho, the kid can play, and given the obvious lack of roster locks at the position, there’s a spot to be had in the receiver room. I’d really love his chances if Kayshon Boutte or Kendrick Bourne end up getting shipped out at some point.

if you’re a skill-position player and you show out during training camp, you’ll have a shot at making the roster, Speaking of…

RB Lan Larison

Lan Larison has been fitted for his red jacket by some fans, and that’s just straight up ridiculous, but he has a serious chance at making this roster given the dynamics in the running back room.

TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson will be there in Week 1, but most teams carry at least four, so the options are either Larison, Terrell Jennings or Trayveon Williams. I’d probably bet on him to start on the practice squad before eventually being pulled up during the season if injuries hit, but why wait?

If you plan on running the ball like we all think you’re going to, give yourself the necessary depth.

TE CJ Dippre

If I had a mortgage, I’d put it on CJ Dippre making this roster. The Patriots have flirted with major issues at the tight end position for a couple of years, as they’ve leaned heavily on Hunter Henry while failing to develop any talent behind him. Austin Hooper is a great backup option, but the third-string tight end will be one of four youngsters – Dippre, Jaheim Bell, Gee Scott or Jack Westover. Dippre fits the mold more than anyone else, and has legitimate upside. You can expect to see him taking the field in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Do I expect all of these guys to make the roster? No.

I don’t even know if there will be three that crack it, but the point is that they should be given an opportunity based on where this organization is at.

Drake Maye and Christian Gonzalez are awesome, but they aren’t quite anchors to a championship team just yet. The Patriots are in a one-to-two-year development window where their primary focus is seeing just how much cornerstone talent they have and how they’ll need to fill in the blanks.

Giving real opportunities at roster spots to undrafted rookies is at least part of that.

So… when you head down to Gillette Stadium for training camp practices this summer, watch out for the guys in unfamiliar numbers. I can remember a few seasons back when No. 69 looked like the best wide receiver on the field, and turned out to be just that for a few seasons.

I’m not saying there will be a franchise player among this group, but what I am saying is that there’s at least a few who could contribute to a much improved roster.

It’s also July, I just needed something to talk about.