Which Patriots rookies to watch out for during training camp?
The New England Patriots are gearing up for training camp, with the rookies reporting to Gillette Stadium on Friday. The Patriots have many players looking to earn a spot on the roster, having to prove themselves throughout these next few weeks of practice. Here are the rookies to be on the lookout for: Rookies to […]
The New England Patriots are gearing up for training camp, with the rookies reporting to Gillette Stadium on Friday.
The Patriots have many players looking to earn a spot on the roster, having to prove themselves throughout these next few weeks of practice.
Here are the rookies to be on the lookout for:
Rookies to Look Out For
Christian Gonzalez
The Patriots 2023 first round draft has showed his skill during the spring during non-padded practices, including organized team activities and mandatory minicamp. After playing his first two collegiate seasons with the University of Colorado, Gonzalez transfered to Oregon, recording 45 tackles, seven pass breakups, and three interceptions during his junior season. He was also named first-team All-Pac-12.
New England was in need of a bigger cornerback, and at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Gonzalez fits the bill.
Marte Mapu
Marte Mapu was a true standout during the spring. While he is listed as a linebacker on the roster, the third-round pick was also seen taking reps at safety during OTAs and minicamp. And he made it clear that he will go wherever "they put me out there as."
The third round pick has already earned high praise during his short time on the team, with star linebacker Matthew Judon comparing him to two Patriots greats.
Malik Cunningham
A undrafted free agent, Cunningham signed with the Patriots on a rookie free-agent deal with $200,000 guaranteed and a $30,000 signing bonus. The former Louisville quarterback worked out for the Patriots, with New England being the only team to try him at wide receiver. During the spring he has continued to work with the receivers, but the Patriots could look to him for some trick plays when the seasons begins.
Maybe he is following in Julian Edelman's footsteps.
Keion White
White was selected in the second round, coming out of Georgia Tech. At 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, White recorded a total of 54 tackles in his final collegiate season, with 29 of them being solo tackles. He also ended the season with 7.5 sacks. He was praised by Ja'Whaun Bentley during the spring for being able to pick up on things fast.
Bryce Baringer
A punter out of Michigan State, Bryce Baringer was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round. Baringer has signed his rookie contract worth just over $4 million. Entering his sixth and final collegiate season, Baringer was ranked the best punting prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class by ESPN's Mel Kiper.
Chad Ryland
The fourth-round pick signed his rookie contract worth $4,626,748 with a $786,748 signing bonus in May. He was brought on and is expected to replace Nick Folk, who has been the Patriots kicker for that past three seasons. Folk spoke about the competition during mandatory minicamp, just focused on putting his "best foot forward and see what happens."
On The Bubble
Sidy Sow
Sidy Sow was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the draft out of Eastern Michigan. In each of of his final two seasons, he was named first-team All-MAC and finished as the all-time leader with 56 games played and 54 starts at Eastern Michigan. The offensive line has some tough competition this season, with Sow currently listed as a guard. However, he could try and transition to tackle.
Kayshon Boutte
Kayshon Boutte is one of two potential rookie receivers that have a chance to crack the 53-man roster. While he had a disappointing performance at the combine, it was believed to be caused by a broken bone in his ankle. Boutte was LSU's top receiver during his three seasons after Ja'Marr Chase and Terrance Marshall Jr. opted out. He finished with 131 receptions for 1,782 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Demario Douglas
Demario Douglas is also competing for a receiver spot, having signed a four-year deal worth $3,973,332 with a $133,332 signing bonus. The Liberty wideout made an impression during his collegiate career, with former Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze commenting on the receivers skill.
“Y’all [the Patriots] have been great at moving those guys around and putting them in iso situations. I think that is his strength,” Freeze said about Douglas to ESPN's Mike Reiss. “He could play for me right now at Auburn and start for us. He is the best, most quick-twitched kid at getting in and out of breaks that I’ve ever coached
Both Douglas and Boutte were selected in the sixth round and are looking to claim a spot on the depth chart.
Ed Lee
Ed Lee's journey to the Patriots was a dream for the University of Rhode Island receiver. The undrafted free agent finished his final season catching 56 passes for 908 yards and five touchdowns, and caught the eye of New England scouts. He is now playing for his favorite team after being invited to rookie minicamp along with their local pro day.
"I’ve kind of always been overlooked in a sense just coming out draft not having anywhere to go at first. I’ve kind of been in that position before. So just put my head down and keep working,” Lee said at mandatory minicamp. "And then the opportunity presented itself.”
He is not letting the fact that he is an underdog deter him from the ultimate goal.
Jake Andrews
Center Jack Andrews signed his rookie deal at the end of May, having also spent some time playing guard at Troy University. Similar to Sow, he is looking to get a a spot on a competitive offensive line and it is most likely he would begin his career as the backup to David Andrews.
Ameer Speed
Speed was another addition to the team in the sixth round, 214th overall pick and has signed a four-year contract worth $3,973,332 with a $133,332 signing bonus. Speed won a national championship with Georgia in 2021 before transferring to Michigan State for his final season. The cornerback had a breakout season with Michigan State, recording 63 total tackles and five passes defended in 2022.
Isaiah Bolden
Isaiah Bolden was selected by the Patriots in the seventh round with the 245th overall pick. He began his college career at Florida State before transferring to Jackson State. In his junior season (2021), Isaiah Bolden led the country in kickoff return average at 36.8 per attempt, having played in 10 games. He also finished with eight tackles (seven solo). Isaiah Bolden signed his rookie contract in May worth $3.9 million.
And, Isaiah Bolden is the cousin of former Patriots running back Brandon Bolden.
Johnny Lumpkin
Lumpkin is an undrafted free agent rookie and has an uphill battle if he hopes to earn one of the roster spots. Mike Gesicki and Hunter Henry have the top two tight end spots locked down, but it leaves a question of whether they will carry a third.
However, he is competing against Anthony Firkser and Matt Sokol for that spot.
Jourdan Heilig
Heilig is another undefeated free agent rookie to sign with the Patriots this offseason, The linebacker who played four seasons at Appalachian State and wasn't planning to enter the NFL Draft. Yet, he caught the attention of Belichick, who is known for his crazy moves. He shined at special teams and has the best chance to thrive there for the Patriots.
Atonio Mafi
Mafi was drafted by the Patriots in the fifth round, 144th overall. He earned the starting role in his freshman year, having finished his career playing in 56 games, which was tied for the school record. At 6-foot-4, 339 pounds the offensive lineman also faces an uphill battle during training camp.
Featured Image via Sophie Weller – A to Z Sports
