New England Patriots: Top Five Stories From Training Camp

Jul 24, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins (86) signs autographs following training camp at the team practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

5. Kenbrell Thompkins

With fellow second year wideout Aaron Dobson currently sidelined with an injury, Kenbrell Thompkins has to take advantage of this opportunity, and possibly take over that third receiver slot behind Julian Edelman, and Danny Amendola.

Through four days of camp, it appears that he has done just that, working hard, and making plays. He doesn’t have the best athletic skills, but he more than makes up for it with hard work and dedication. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have praised his work ethic over the last few days, and if I were Thompkins, I would be elated to hear those two guys giving me compliments.

Now, once the pads were put on, it sounds like Thompkins struggled a bit. He didn’t make quite as many plays the last two days as he did the first two days, including a few bad drops. But we don’t overreact to four days of practice, which is why we shouldn’t read too much into that. If Thompkins continues to work hard and make plays, he will earn some playing time in the regular season.