The New England Patriots concluded the first block of their 2023 training camp at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough last Friday. Despite the hot conditions, the team persevered through another two-hour session.
The camp heavily focused on red zone work and special teams. While full-pad physicality will be introduced later, several standout performances have already garnered positive and negative attention.
During the session, OT Conor McDermott started with the second-string offensive line. He was later promoted to the top unit, taking over the tackle spot previously occupied by veteran Riley Reiff.
Reiff seemed to struggle with the speed of edge rushers. He conceded back-to-back would-be sacks to OLB Anfernee Jennings and DE Keion White.
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LB Matthew Judon stood out with a stellar performance, especially considering he had limited participation in the previous two days. Guard Atonio Mafi and punter Corliss Waitman also had solid performances. Mafi took reps at right guard with the top-level offensive line, while Waitman performed well during kickoffs.
However, WR Tyquan Thornton, the second-round draft pick from the previous year, did not perform well. He struggled to separate from physical cornerbacks consistently and failed to make any catches during team drills.
Significant team changes
On top of players’ performances, the training camp also brought significant changes and decisions to the team.
For one, coach Bill O’Brien returned as the offensive leader in 2023 to evaluate QB Mac Jones’ long-term potential. While Mac showed promise during his rookie season, there were concerns about a potential regression.
However, early signs indicate positive developments for him. Patriots general manager Bill Belichick’s reserved comments on Mac during the offseason may have affected his progress. Determining Mac’s future as the Patriots’ quarterback is crucial. Failure to do so could pose a significant issue.
New England also made substantial changes to their pass-catching group this offseason. They focused on improving their tight end and receiver positions while adding multiple offensive linemen.
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While tight end Mike Gesicki may receive fewer targets, he brings valuable upgrades to the red-zone offense. Another notable addition is JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is expected to be heavily involved in the passing game.
The remaining receiving unit will likely consist of DeVante Parker, Thornton and Kendrick Bourne. Rookies Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas will also be part of the mix.
Regarding the offensive line, the Patriots retained Trent Brown at left tackle despite his underwhelming performance last season. There will be a competition to fill Isaiah Wynn’s spot at the other tackle position, with Calvin Anderson, Reiff, or McDermott as potential contenders. The interior group looks solid, but there are concerns about the overall unit depth.
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Last season, the Patriots had a strong defense but struggled against top-tier offenses. The challenge has become even more daunting with safety Devin McCourty’s retirement. The defensive group boasts talent, depth and versatility, but lingering uncertainties remain.
One concern lies in finding a replacement for McCourty. Additionally, there is worry regarding cornerback Jack Jones. Jack is awaiting court proceedings for gun charges from an incident at Logan International Airport.
The lack of cornerback depth could become problematic if Jack is unavailable for any period. However, first-round pick Christian Gonzalez is expected to step in and contribute immediately.
Following three consecutive days of workouts, New England will have a rest day on Saturday before returning to the practice fields on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET.