With NFL training camps kicking off in July, it's time to get up to speed on all 32 NFL teams. Bobby Kownack has the lowdown on position battles, key players and notable subplots across the AFC East.
Catch up on the New England Patriots' offseason developments and 2025 outlook below.
Training Camp Dates/Information
- Players report: July 19 (rookies); July 22 (veterans)
- Location: Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Mass. (fan information)
Notable Roster Changes
| 2025 Draft class | Selection |
|---|---|
| Will Campbell, OT, LSU | Round 1 (No. 4 overall) |
| Treveyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State | Round 2 (No. 38) |
| Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State | Round 3 (No. 69) |
| Jared Wilson, C, Georgia | Round 3 (No. 95) |
| Craig Woodson, S, California | Round 4 (No. 106) |
| Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State | Round 4 (No. 137) |
| Bradyn Swinson, Edge, LSU | Round 5 (No. 146) |
| Andy Borregales, K, Miami | Round 6 (No. 182) |
| Marcus Bryant, OT, Missouri | Round 7 (No. 220) |
| Julian Ashby, LS, Vanderbilt | Round 7 (No. 251) |
| Kobee Minor, DB, Memphis | Round 7 (No. 257) |
Preseason Schedule
- Week 1: vs. Washington Commanders | 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 8
- Week 2: at Minnesota Vikings | 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 16
- Week 3: at New York Giants | 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 21 (Prime Video)
2025 Schedule Note
- New England is one of just three teams (along with Baltimore and Tennessee) scheduled for three straight road games.
-- NFL Research
What You Need To Know
1) New England is banking on the Mike Vrabel effect to turn things around. After decades of continuity and excellence, the Patriots are now three years without a playoff berth and on their third head coach in three seasons. Like his predecessor, Jerod Mayo, Vrabel learned the "Patriot Way" under Bill Belichick as a player. Unlike Mayo, Vrabel takes over with previous experience and success as a head coach. The Pats defense will require every bit of the former linebacker's expertise after fielding the franchise's worst-ranked scoring unit since 1995. There's reason for optimism, though. Top free-agent signee Milton Williams should bolster the interior alongside Christian Barmore, back from an issue with blood clots, and opponents might find it harder to avoid cornerback Christian Gonzalez now that Carlton Davis has joined New England's ranks.
2) New England's backfield is in for a shakeup. Rhamondre Stevenson is one of two Patriots running backs to deliver a 1,000-yard rushing campaign in the past decade, but he's now two seasons removed from it with a dwindling yards-per-carry average and a pesky fumbling problem. Stevenson's 5.0 YPC from 2022 dropped to 3.9 last season, and he coughed the ball up seven times. He'll still likely to lead the way early, but just how much usage he shares with second-round rookie TreVeyon Henderson bears watching. The earliest RB selection by New England since 2018, Henderson enters the NFL a capable pass-protector with a three-down skill set. He'll eventually be ready to take over.
3) An elite wide receiver option emerging would help Drake Maye's development tremendously. Stefon Diggs represents the usual suspect, though he's coming off a torn ACL and turns 32 during the season. While Demario Douglas has led the WRs in receiving yards for two straight years, that's respectively required only 561 and 621 yards. Pats fans would delight in rookie Kyle Williams quickly becoming the guy after considerable trouble hitting at the position -- recently evidenced by last year's draftees, Javon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk, combining for 99 yards on 13 catches. Mack Hollins, Kendrick Bourne and Kayshon Boutte round out the rest of the depth chart. With a number of capable but unproven wideouts on hand, New England seems to be going with the "see what sticks" strategy.
