New England Patriots News

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DeMario Douglas • WR • Patriots

DeMario Douglas Seeing Expanded Route Tree

New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas is seeing his usage and route tree expanded during training camp compared with recent seasons, according to the Boston Herald. Douglas caught 31 passes for 447 yards and three touchdowns across 17 games in 2025, averaging a career-high 14.4 yards per reception. New England already pushed him farther downfield last season, when he averaged a career-high 9.7 air yards per target and tied his career best with four deep receptions. The latest camp usage suggests the Patriots are continuing to explore ways to deploy Douglas beyond a traditional underneath slot role. A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs project as the top two receivers, while Douglas is competing with Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams for snaps in three-receiver sets. The broader route tree improves Douglas' path to staying involved, but his fantasy value will still depend on whether the expanded responsibilities lead to consistent playing time and targets.

17 hours ago

Rhamondre Stevenson • RB • Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson Leaves Tuesday's Practice Early

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (undisclosed) left the practice field as players prepared for final sprints on Tuesday at training camp, according to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. Stevenson was a full participant in practice, but he left for undisclosed reasons and didn't speak with the media afterward. It's unclear why Stevenson left practice early, but we will be keeping a close eye on the situation. If it is an injury, the good news is that it's early in training camp, so Stevenson could still be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season if it's not a serious injury. If this is something that sidelines Stevenson for an extended period of time, it will cause second-year back TreVeyon Henderson's ADP this summer to rise dramatically, with Lan Larison also seeing more opportunities in New England's backfield as the backup. Most likely, the Patriots are being extra cautious with whatever Stevenson is dealing with early in camp.

Yesterday

Christian Gonzalez • CB • Patriots

Christian Gonzalez Does Not Plan on Holding In During Training Camp

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez does not plan on holding in during training camp, according to Jake Seymour of 98.5 The Sports Hub. Gonzalez is currently in the process of negotiating a contract extension with the Patriots. The 24-year-old was drafted 17th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and is entering the fourth year of his initial rookie contract. Team owner Robert Kraft has publicized the team's negotiating efforts with the star cornerback. Kraft recently revealed the Patriots have offered Gonzalez a record-breaking offer that would make him "the highest-paid player ever to play that position in the NFL." However, Gonzalez has told reporters that he would like to keep all contract conversations private. The star cornerback was present during mandatory minicamp in June and plans to participate in training camp despite not having a new deal.

Yesterday

Eli Raridon • TE • Patriots

Eli Raridon "Flashing" as a Pass-Catcher

New England Patriots beat writer Taylor Kyles reports that rookie tight end Eli Raridon is "flashing" as a receiver early in training camp. He had impressive catches on a contested target and settled between zones over the middle during practice on Tuesday. The 22-year-old third-rounder from Notre Dame comes to the Patriots after catching 32 passes for 482 yards and zero touchdowns in 12 games for the Fighting Irish in 2025 in his final collegiate season. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder will back up Hunter Henry in his first NFL season, but Raridon has the potential to contribute right away in Josh McDaniel's offense now that Julian Hill (knee) will miss the entire season. Raridon will go undrafted in standard-sized redraft leagues in 2026, but his combination of athleticism, pass-catching skills, and size make him an interesting dynasty/keeper stash at the position. If Raridon can improve his blocking in his first year in the NFL, more playing time should come sooner rather than later. He's a rookie name to monitor at the TE position.

Yesterday

A.J. Brown • WR • Patriots

A.J. Brown Off to Slow Start With New Quarterback

It has been a slow start in terms of the connection between New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and new wide receiver A.J. Brown in three-plus days of training camp, according to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. Maye is 1-for-7 with an interception when targeting Brown in team drills, and his only completion was a wide-open quick out. So far, the two are far off on deeper routes. It's not what Patriots fans want to hear, but it's still very early in camp, and the two should smooth things out, especially deep down the field, which was a specialty for Maye in 2025. The Patriots gave the Philadelphia Eagles a first-round pick for the 29-year-old Brown this offseason to become their new No. 1 pass-catcher. The three-time Pro Bowler had his sixth 1,000-yard campaign in 2025 in his final year in Philly, but he also averaged a career-low 12.9 yards per catch in 15 regular-season starts. Fantasy managers are expecting Brown's ceiling to be higher in a more explosive offense this year. In early drafts, Brown is being taken as a low-end WR1 in his new home, where he should be heavily targeted by Maye.

Yesterday

TreVeyon Henderson • RB • Patriots

TreVeyon Henderson Showing Growth in Pass Protection

New England Patriots second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson is showing growth in pass protection early in training camp, according to Alex Bart of 985 The Sports Hub. Henderson carried the ball 180 times for 911 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (four starts), adding 35 receptions for 221 yards and another score after the Pats took him in the second round out of Ohio State. It was a very successful rookie campaign while sharing the backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson. The 23-year-old is set to share touches again with Stevenson in 2026, but Henderson should once again have a key role in an emerging offense led by young QB Drake Maye. Henderson's weekly floor will be lower as long as Stevenson remains involved, but the young RB has the most playmaking ability and upside in New England's backfield, and he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 23 RB going into Year 2. Gaining offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel's trust on passing downs would be a big development in terms of finding a bigger role in 2026. If Stevenson were to go down with an injury this year, Henderson would have clear RB1 weekly upside.

Yesterday

Hunter Henry • TE • Patriots

Hunter Henry Making Highlight-Reel Catches in Camp

Mark Daniels of MassLive.com reports that New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry made a highlight-reel grab during training camp practice on Tuesday, jumping over defender Kevin Byard and then crashing to the ground for a big gain on a deep connection with quarterback Drake Maye. The 31-year-old veteran and former second-rounder (35th overall) by the Chargers in 2016 from the University of Arkansas is still New England's top pass-catching TE going into 2026, despite the addition of rookie Eli Raridon in this year's draft. Henry had a strong 2025 season (his fifth year with the Pats), catching 60 of his 87 targets for 768 yards and seven touchdowns (his most since 2021) in 17 regular-season starts. At the very worst, Henry should be considered a midrange TE2 while developing excellent chemistry with Maye, although his floor and ceiling could be lowered in 2026 after the offseason additions of receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. With limited volume most likely, Henry will be dependent on finding the end zone, perhaps more than ever before.

Yesterday

Mack Hollins • WR • Patriots

Mack Hollins Willing to Play Tight End for the Patriots

New England Patriots 32-year-old wide receiver Mack Hollins said on Monday that he is "willing to play some tight end this season," Karen Guregian of MassLive.com reports. Hollins also stated that "he just wants to win some games". Hollins had one of his better seasons in 2025, thanks to the breakout campaign of star quarterback Drake Maye, hauling in 46 of his 65 targets for 550 yards and two touchdowns with an impressive 11.96 YPR. During the offseason, the Patriots bolstered their wide receiver room, bringing in 26-year-old Romeo Doubs from the Packers and superstar A.J. Brown from the Eagles. While the Patriots did decide to move on from Stefon Diggs, the wide receiver room is crowded with Brown, Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, and Hollins. Meanwhile, the tight end position outside of Hunter Henry is fairly thin, and Hollins is a huge wide receiver, standing at 6'4", 221 lbs. The best thing that Hollins can do for himself is find ways to get on the field more often, and the potential transition to tight end could boost his fantasy value, especially in the red zone, if it means getting him on the field more often.

2 days ago

DeMario Douglas • WR • Patriots

DeMario Douglas Working With Patriots' First-Team Offense

New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas worked with the first-team offense during Monday's training camp walkthrough, according to the Boston Herald. The fourth-year receiver also opened camp working from the slot alongside A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs in 11-personnel groupings, giving him an early opportunity to remain involved despite New England's deeper receiving corps. Douglas caught 31 passes for 447 yards and three touchdowns across 17 games in 2025, averaging a career-high 14.4 yards per reception while making no starts and serving mainly as a rotational slot receiver. Brown and Doubs project as the top two options, leaving Douglas to compete with Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III for snaps in three-receiver sets. His first-team work is encouraging, but Monday's session was a walkthrough and the Patriots are still evaluating combinations. Douglas is worth monitoring in deeper formats, though he will need to maintain his role once practices become more competitive before fantasy managers can expect consistent targets.

2 days ago

A.J. Brown • WR • Patriots

Mike Vrabel Downplays A.J. Brown's Knee Concerns

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel pushed back Monday on reports about wide receiver A.J. Brown's knee, saying the team is "very confident" in where Brown stands physically, according to Doug Kyed. Vrabel said Brown has done everything asked of him through the first two training camp practices and has made a strong start while acclimating to his new team. Brown will not participate in every activity, but Vrabel indicated that those decisions will be made by the coaching and medical staffs, as New England has done with other veterans during camp. The Patriots were aware of wear and tear in Brown's right knee before acquiring him from Philadelphia, and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said the team's medical staff approved the trade. Brown also passed his physical before joining the Patriots for offseason practices. The 29-year-old caught 78 of 121 targets for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games last season, extending his streak to four consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. Vrabel's comments are encouraging for Brown's 2026 fantasy outlook, though fantasy managers should expect New England to manage his practice workload when needed.

2 days ago

Kyle Williams • WR • Patriots

Kyle Williams at the Bottom of Patriots Depth Chart

New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams currently looks like the team's WR7, behind A.J. Brown, Kayshon Boutte, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, and Efton Chism III, according to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. Williams was running with the second- and third-team offense during Monday's training camp practice. The 23-year-old former third-rounder in 2025 out of Washington State barely contributed in his first NFL season, catching 10 of 21 targets for 209 yards and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (zero starts), although he did flash some big-play ability deep down the field and averaged 20.9 yards per catch. It's still early in training camp, but fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues who are stashing Williams heading into his second NFL season can't like what they are hearing. If he's in danger of not making the active 53-man roster near the end of camp, the Patriots could consider trading him to a WR-needy team.

2 days ago

Romeo Doubs • WR • Patriots

Romeo Doubs Not Standing Out Early in Training Camp

While entirely too early to be raising any red flags, New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs has failed to stand out through the team's first two practices of training camp, with senior team reporter Evan Lazar pointing out a lack of consistent separation. Doubs is still learning a new playbook, which he has publicly admitted is nothing like the offense he was a part of for four years in Green Bay, and as a more physical receiver, the non-padded practices to begin camp simply may not be the setting for him to showcase all of his abilities. Still, after signing a four-year, $68 million contract in free agency, he has yet to be singled out by the team beat. By contrast, incumbent X-receiver Kayshon Boutte has been praised for making highlight-worthy catches in each of the team's first two practices following an offseason of trade speculation. Still early, the battle for primary reps opposite A.J. Brown in two-receiver sets could become an intriguing storyline of Patriots camp and one that could reshape late-round draft plans, as Doubs is currently RotoBaller's WR53 while Boutte sits at WR77.

2 days ago

Kayshon Boutte • WR • Patriots

Kayshon Boutte with the Play of the Day Again in Patriots Camp

For the second straight day, New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte stood out in a newly weaponized receiver room, making an early push to stick around after an offseason of trade rumors. ESPN's Mike Reiss highlighted Boutte's back-shoulder catch in tight coverage as a standout moment and one that caught the attention of new teammate, All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, who later told reporters, "He's a guy that does a very good job tracking the ball down the field." The fourth-year receiver continues to stack plays and was one of the few offensive bright spots on a day in which the defense reportedly dominated. Both of Boutte's highlight catches came while lined up across from A.J. Brown, which is of particular note considering the arrivals of Brown and Romeo Doubs had many speculating about his potential fit after serving as the team's most reliable outside threat in 2025. Boutte is RotoBaller's WR77, and whether he makes a push to stick with the Patriots or eventually winds up on another team, he could prove to be an undervalued fantasy difference-maker in 2026.

2 days ago

Eli Raridon • TE • Patriots

Eli Raridon Taking Advantage of Thin Depth Chart

New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon has been pointed to as a player who stood out during the team's first practice of training camp on Saturday, with ESPN's Mike Reiss noting how an injury-thinned depth chart has allowed him to take reps behind 11th-year veteran Hunter Henry. Free agent acquisition Julian Hill was placed on season-ending injured reserve after tearing his ACL during OTAs, while 2025 undrafted free agent CJ Dippre opened training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list and was spotted with a brace on his left wrist. Taking advantage of the increased opportunity, Raridon made a deep highlight catch on a pass thrown by backup Tommy DeVito and earned the praise of Henry, who told reporters after practice, "The ceiling is high for him." Raridon is RotoBaller's rookie TE5, and has been pegged as a player to target in the middle rounds of dynasty rookie drafts, with a clear path to fantasy success both long-term and as an immediate contributor.

3 days ago

Kayshon Boutte • WR • Patriots

Kayshon Boutte Makes the Play of the Day in Patriots Training Camp Opener

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was the subject of trade rumors throughout much of the offseason, but having reported for training camp and taking part as a full participant in the team's first public practice, he has reportedly made quick work of reminding everyone of his value to this offense. ESPN's Mike Reiss credited him with the play of the day, a diving 35-yard catch that had quarterback Drake Maye commenting, "It's nothing new. All year last year and the year before, he just keeps doing things right." Boutte's six touchdown catches in 2025 led all Patriots wide receivers and were second on the team behind tight end Hunter Henry. Still, with the additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, he will need to continue maximizing his training camp reps, either to keep a meaningful role on this team or to garner enough attention to make him a buzz-worthy trade candidate.

3 days ago

Christian Gonzalez • CB • Patriots

Patriots Aiming to Make Christian Gonzalez the Highest-Paid Cornerback in the NFL

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft told reporters that the team has offered All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez a contract that would make him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL and the highest-paid player in team history, according to Patriots beat reporter Doug Kyed. The $31 million average annual value of the four-year extension signed by Trent McDuffie following his offseason trade to the Rams currently slots him as the league's highest-paid corner, but reports earlier this week suggested that similar talks are being had in Seattle that could make three-time Pro Bowler Devon Witherspoon the NFL's top-paid defensive back. Of note, Gonzalez and Witherspoon share the same agent, intrinsically linking their two situations and setting up a domino scenario that could drag into training camp but which should ultimately benefit both players.

4 days ago

Christian Gonzalez • CB • Patriots

Christian Gonzalez Reports to Training Camp

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed that star cornerback Christian Gonzalez has reported to training camp, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. "He is here, and I would expect him to participate. Those contract negotiations are ongoing... I'm excited about having Christian back here with us," Vrabel said. Gonzalez, the 17th overall pick in 2023 out of the University of Oregon, is seeking a new contract as he heads into his fourth year in the NFL, and when he gets it, the 24-year-old could easily reset the market at the position. Gonzalez, who was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2025, could be a hold-in at Patriots camp and sit on the sidelines until he gets the extension he's angling for. In his first three years in the NFL, Gonzalez has 145 tackles (118 solo), three interceptions, 24 pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 34 regular-season starts. He has quickly turned into one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL.

5 days ago

DeAndre Hopkins • WR • Patriots

DeAndre Hopkins at Patriots Camp as a Coach

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said that veteran free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is with the team at training camp for a potential coaching role in 2026, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. "He's got coaching gear on, and he is helping out the offensive coaches and meeting with our personnel guys," Vrabel said. Hopkins hasn't officially announced his retirement and previously expressed interest in playing another season in the NFL, but he may be changing his tune with the 2026 campaign quickly approaching. The 34-year-old five-time Pro Bowler played with the Baltimore Ravens last year in his 13th year in the league but only had 22 receptions on 39 targets for 330 yards and two touchdowns. If Nuk doesn't play another down in the league, he'd finish with 1,006 receptions for 13,295 yards and 85 touchdowns in 195 regular-season games over 13 years with five different teams. Hopkins was originally a first-rounder (27th overall) in 2013 by the Houston Texans, and he spent his first seven years in the league in Houston.

5 days ago

Mack Hollins • WR • Patriots

Mack Hollins an Important Role Player with Little Fantasy Value

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins has a special relationship with his current offensive coordinator, as the two most productive seasons of his career have come with Josh McDaniels calling plays. Hollins caught a career-high 57 passes for 690 yards in 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders, and added another 46 grabs for 550 yards in last season's reunion in New England. While his physicality and knack for coming up big in the clutch have made him a vital piece of McDaniels' offenses, even at his best, he has rarely been a reliable fantasy contributor, and with the Patriots receiver room seeing a massive influx of talent ahead of 2026, he's unlikely to hold onto the role that saw him lead all New England receivers in snaps per game a season ago. An important role player and one of the bigger personalities in the league, Hollins is unlikely to factor into many weekly fantasy decisions in his tenth year in the league, and he is RotoBaller's WR92.

6 days ago

TreVeyon Henderson • RB • Patriots

TreVeyon Henderson the RB to Target in Patriots Backfield

New England Patriots second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson rushed for 911 yards and nine touchdowns on 180 rushing attempts, averaging a healthy 5.1 yards per carry, in 17 regular-season games in 2025 after he was selected with the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft out of Ohio State. The 23-year-old native of Virginia added 35 receptions on 42 targets for 221 yards and another score before rushing for 76 yards on 30 carries in four postseason games. Henderson is definitely the RB to target in fantasy in an improving Patriots offense led by impressive young QB Drake Maye, but volume could continue to limit his fantasy ceiling and keep his floor pretty low while sharing touches with Rhamondre Stevenson. Ball security is an issue, but the same can be said for Stevenson, and Henderson is a bigger home run threat with intriguing pass-catching chops. Henderson is definitely the better all-around back with more long-term appeal, and if anything were to happen to Stevenson, he'd become a clear RB1 option. Heading into Year 2, fantasy managers in redraft leagues should be targeting Henderson as a low-end RB2 with plenty of upside.

7 days ago

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