The New England Patriots are about to begin the dog days of training camp. The pads will soon be popping, the preseason will be here, and all of the storylines about Mike Vrabel’s dog, A.J. Brown’s knee, and the chemistry between Drake Maye and his pass catchers will be gone, making way for real football.

But before that arrives, let’s take a look back at the week that was, and use our friend Grok to help project the Patriots’ 53-man roster and starting lineup after the first week of training camp.

Simulated New England Patriots 53-man roster and starting lineup after Week 1 of 2026 training camp

This is a projection synthesizing official roster/transactions data, depth charts (e.g., Ourlads updated early August), early camp reports (Boutte’s big-play production, rookie TEs Raridon and Arkin standing out, Jacas’ recent full participation after NFI, Landry still on PUP, limited special-teams evaluation so far), and multiple analyst projections (Athletic, Boston Herald stock reports, SI, Pats Pulpit, etc.). Final cuts are still weeks away (preseason starts mid-August); health, preseason performance, and special teams will heavily influence the actual roster. Rookies and camp standouts get some early boost.

Projected 53-Man Roster

Quarterbacks (3) Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito, Behren Morton

Running Backs / Fullback (4) Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Lan Larison, Reggie Gilliam (FB)

Wide Receivers (6) A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III

(Kyle Williams is the notable bubble player per some early projections; Boutte has been a clear early standout with deep-ball production.)

Tight Ends (3) Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon, Tanner Arkin

(Rookies Raridon—pass-catching—and Arkin—blocking—have impressed enough in Week 1 to edge out veterans/others; Julian Hill is already on IR.)

Offensive Line (9) Will Campbell (LT), Alijah Vera-Tucker (LG), Jared Wilson (C), Mike Onwenu (RG), Morgan Moses (RT), Caleb Lomu, Ben Brown, Dametrious Crownover, James Hudson III

Defensive Line / Edge (10) Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Dre’Mont Jones, Harold Landry III, Gabe Jacas, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson

(Landry still recovering/PUP early; Jacas recently active after NFI; depth prioritizes proven + high draft capital.)

Linebackers (4) Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, K.J. Britt, Namdi Obiazor

Cornerbacks (6) Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Kindle Vildor, Charles Woods, Karon Prunty

Safeties (5) Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus, John Saunders Jr., Brenden Schooler

Specialists (3) Andy Borregales (K), Bryce Baringer (P), Julian Ashby (LS)

Total: 53. Practice-squad candidates and cuts would include various UDFAs/rookies (e.g., multiple WRs like Williams/Dixon/DeGennaro/Dorner/Prentice depending on returns/special teams, extra OL/DL/LBs, etc.). IR already includes Julian Hill (TE), Jimmy Kibble (WR), Jeremiah Webb (WR).

Projected Starting Lineup (Base)

Offense (11 personnel typical)

• QB: Drake Maye
• RB: Rhamondre Stevenson (TreVeyon Henderson rotates heavily; complementary/receiving role)
• WR: A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte (or DeMario Douglas in slot packages; Boutte’s early camp form earns him a starting-caliber role)
• TE: Hunter Henry (Eli Raridon as primary receiving backup/second TE)
• LT: Will Campbell
• LG: Alijah Vera-Tucker
• C: Jared Wilson
• RG: Mike Onwenu
• RT: Morgan Moses

Defense (3-4 / hybrid base; frequently nickel/dime)

• LDE: Milton Williams
• NT: Cory Durden (or rotating with Gregory/Farmer)
• RDE: Christian Barmore
• LOLB: Dre’Mont Jones
• LILB: Robert Spillane
• RILB: Christian Elliss
• ROLB: Harold Landry III (Elijah Ponder/Gabe Jacas in his absence or sub packages)
• LCB: Carlton Davis III
• RCB: Christian Gonzalez
• SS: Craig Woodson
• FS: Kevin Byard
• (Nickel CB: Marcus Jones)

Special Teams

• K: Andy Borregales
• P/H: Bryce Baringer
• LS: Julian Ashby
• PR: Marcus Jones / DeMario Douglas / Efton Chism III
• KR: TreVeyon Henderson / Efton Chism III

Key Early Camp Context & Caveats

• Offense highlights: Boutte has been one of the hottest players (deep balls, big plays). New WRs Brown and Doubs are still integrating (Brown dealt with a minor thumb issue but continued practicing). Rookie TEs Raridon and Arkin have risen quickly. OL starters look set with Campbell and Vera-Tucker anchoring the left side.
• Defense highlights: Gonzalez continues to dominate one-on-ones. Jacas is now practicing fully. Edge depth is a mild early concern with Landry’s recovery timeline. Interior DL is deep with Williams/Barmore.
• Roster battles still fluid: No. 3 RB (Larison leading early), WR depth (Williams’ status debated in projections), TE3/blocking role, edge depth behind Jones/Landry, and special-teams contributors. Pads and joint practices (Colts mid-August, Eagles later) will clarify more.
• Mike Vrabel’s staff values versatility, special teams, and competition; the final 53 will reflect that more than pure early practice buzz.

This is a realistic early-August simulation, not a locked prediction—expect 5–10 changes by final cuts.