Patriots: 3 UDFAs who could dominate training camp
By Adam Weinrib
These New England Patriots UDFAs could dominate in 2020 Training Camp.
Entering training camp in 2020, the Patriots have a number of position battles that are more uncertain than ever before, knocked off their bearings this week by an unanticipated string of opt outs.
Without a preseason, the team’s competitors have even less of a chance to prove themselves, too, with so much on the table.
As far as the team’s surviving undrafted free agents are concerned, a few loose scrimmages and drills are their entire season.
Several potential Patriots were already cut loose a week ago, highlighted by QBs J’Mar Smith and Brian Lewerke, who later returned to the fray. These loose bodies stayed, though, with very good reason — they could easily earn a roster spot with a dominant camp showing, and their path got significantly clarified this week as a few veterans left the picture, seemingly for good.
3. Jeff Thomas, WR
Miami’s Jeff Thomas could be the next great Patriots steal on the outside.
No, the incredibly suspended Antonio Brown is not coming to Patriots camp.
But while former Hurricanes wideout Jeff Thomas obviously isn’t AB, the physical and situational similarities were noticed by many the second after the Pats inked him as a UDFA this spring.
Thomas (5-10, 174 pounds) and Brown (5-10, 185 pounds) won’t be confused for each other this August while JT is busy competing with a diverse crew of Patriots wideouts this summer, and it’s likely the Miami product feels similarly disrespected by his draft position (aka … off the board).
Character concerns be damned, Thomas became a renewed emphasis of the Hurricanes program when Manny Diaz took over for Mark Richt, and he responded (albeit with some suspensions tucked into the mix) with 83 receptions for 1,316 yards and eight TDs total during his collegiate tenure.
Though the Pats have a crowded group of wideouts even after Marqise Lee’s early departure, two or three unexpected names will win roster spots after an abbreviated “preseason,” and it seems likely that Thomas’ physical freak-ness will win him adulation, and potentially some regular-season snaps.