By virtue of drawing the NFL’s season kick-off game in Seattle on Sept. 9, the New England Patriots are further along in training camp than the majority of the NFL’s 32 teams. On Saturday, the Patriots held their seventh camp practice, and their third in full pads. Veteran players are already seeing their reps scaled back in certain instances for built-in rest.
Now more than a week in, two major storylines have dominated the conversation in Foxboro. Item No. 1 is the ongoing contract negotiations between the team and No. 1 cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
While Robert Kraft expressed confidence in a deal getting done, boasting to reporters that the team already had a market-setting offer on the table, the details of said offer may not be good enough. Gonzalez has continued to be a full participant in practice, including the padded sessions, but the latest reporting from NFL insider Albert Breer was that the two sides aren’t yet close to agreeing on an extension.
The on-field storyline that Patriots fans can’t get enough of is the team’s new (and blossoming) Drake Maye to A.J. Brown connection. The NFL’s new dynamic duo got off to a slow start in camp, clearly still working on their connection down the field. They’re quickly approaching elite status in recent practices, though, with even Gonzalez reportedly struggling to stop Brown with Maye’s pinpoint accuracy.
Starpower aside, here are the biggest risers and fallers over the Patriots’ first week-plus of training camp.
The first week of camp is already reshaping New England's roster battles
Winner: TE Tanner Arkin
Patriots reporter Karen Guregian of MassLive highlighted Arkin as a player for fans to watch, and the undrafted rookie tight end hasn’t disappointed. Third-round rookie Eli Raridon has generated more attention, but Arkin has an excellent shot at making the initial 53-man roster as a blocking tight end or H-back.
Winner: WR Kayshon Boutte
Guregian also reported that Boutte was the one who requested a trade this spring, looking to land in a better situation entering a contract year. The Patriots couldn’t find a partner, and Boutte may not get his wish after all. He’s been among the team’s early camp stars, flashing a downfield connection with Maye that fans know well from 2025. It’s possible he still gets moved prior to Week 1, but he’s far too good for the Patriots to justify dumping for a subpar return.
Loser: WR Romeo Doubs
According to Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal, Doubs has been showing an improved connection with Maye over the last couple of practices. But overall, he’s been outshined by Boutte on the boundary, and hasn’t taken many slot reps away from DeMario Douglas. Doubs has been a fixture with the first-team offense and remains primed for a major role. But he had a slow spring, and that seems to have continued into the summer.
Winner: G Mehki Butler
Butler is another former undrafted rookie who’s been climbing the depth chart since camp started. He spent the entire 2025 season on the Patriots’ practice squad, but he’s been seeing more and more reps with the second unit, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. He could suddenly be on the right side of the roster bubble.
Winner: WR Kyle Williams
Patriots fans want to know what they have in Williams, the intriguing speedster out of Washington State. He’s been flashing high-end NFL traits this summer, including on Thursday when he went up high on a Tommy DeVito pass to the back of the end zone and came down with a nifty one-handed catch. If Boutte does indeed get traded this summer, Williams would be primed for a more prominent role than fans saw in 2025.
Loser: G Caden Wallace
As a former top-100 draft pick, Wallace should have the upper hand over young prospects like Butler, Andrew Rupcich, and JonDarius Morgan. That doesn’t appear to be the case, though, as Wallace has been working on the third team in recent sessions.
Loser: RB TreVeyon Henderson
Henderson’s athletic upside remains through the roof, but the second-year running back has reportedly continued to struggle in two familiar areas: run vision and pass protection. Henderson has been stuffed around the line of scrimmage far too often, said Bedard, who added that Henderson may be slipping behind rookie Jam Miller as a pass blocker.
Winner: LB Kahlil Jacobs
Jacobs has earned an “expanded opportunity," per Reiss, including seeing some second-team reps alongside Chad Muma. Jacobs signed with New England as an intriguing rookie free agent, as he put on a show during his Pro Day at Missouri. He could find himself in a battle with draft pick Namdi Obiazor and veteran K.J. Britt for a spot on the 53-man roster, and he’s certainly giving himself a chance to surprise early in camp.
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