The New England Patriots signed wide receiver Cameron Dorner to their practice squad this week, following a solid preseason and training camp display from the rookie undrafted free agent.
Dorner hauled in four receptions for 37 yards in three preseason contests and impressed the coaching staff enough in practice for the team to want him to remain a part of the organization going into the 2026 NFL campaign.
"I’m very coachable," Dorner told Musket Fire. "I’m willing to learn all the routes; I’m willing to do the job; I’m willing to get on special teams and earn a role and stuff like that. I just want to get on the field and help this team win, of course. That’s the main goal, is just helping this team get to where they were last year, for sure."
Cameron Dorner has gone from DII to an NFL practice squad
Coming into college, Dorner first attended Division II Shepherd University after garnering little interest from major programs despite a standout high school career in New Market, Maryland, where he led his team in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns as a senior.
Across three seasons at Shepherd (33 games played), Dorner totaled 119 catches for 1,467 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also returning 17 kicks for 421 yards and another score. He transferred to the University of North Texas ahead of the 2025 season, going on to record 56 grabs for 911 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games with the Mean Green.
"I think a couple of my biggest strengths as a football player are definitely my explosiveness and my movement skills on the field," said Dorner. "I think I’m gifted and talented. I think I can run every route in the tree. [I’m] a very coordinated, very coordinated pass catcher."
Dorner's play at the college level caught the attention of New England, who signed him as a UDFA on May 8. The Maryland product says he chose the Patriots because they have an award-winning coaching staff and talented veteran players at his position.
"A couple things made me sign with the New England Patriots following the draft. I feel like the opportunity was there for me to learn under the best players and the best coaches and get a glimpse of what winning football looks like at the professional level," explained Dorner. "I think money is cool and stuff like that, but winning is better, obviously.
"So, being in this room and being in this environment under Mike Vrabel, Coach Todd Downing and Coach Josh McDaniels, having the ability to learn under some of the best vets in the league like A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins, of course, who’s a veteran, I think that was the main deciding point for me as far as deciding to come to the New England Patriots."
Dorner is taking advantage of learning from Patriots veteran pass catchers
With New England making some major additions to their receiver group this offseason, including trading for A.J. Brown and signing Romeo Doubs, earning a spot on the team's initial 53-man roster was always going to be a major uphill battle for Dorner.
However, he's found an advantage for himself in the Patriots' loaded wideout room by gleaning as much information as possible from the veterans ahead of him on the depth chart.
"Some of the veterans like A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, of course, and Mack Hollins, like I said, as a younger player, I’ve learned a lot coming in," said Dorner "I’ve learned how they practiced. I learned some of these guys’ routines on and off the field. I’ve learned some of the things from A.J. Brown and his mentality and the way he manifests some of the things that come to life for him.
"Even second-year guys like Kyle Williams and Efton Chism [III], they practice their butt off, and they’re in here all day. I can learn from their routines and stuff like that. So, I think this is the perfect fit for me as a player, as a person. I think everything I need is here to become successful."
Now set to start the 2026 season on New England's practice squad, Dorner will look to keep polishing his explosive skill set while continuing to take in all he can from both his coaches and more experienced teammates.
"I think learning under these guys is a blessing, and I think being here, for me, is a blessing," Dorner said. "Being a 22-year-old, just playing Division II football two years ago. So, I think just being at this level, and like I said, being in the same room as these guys, I’m forever grateful and I’m so happy to be able to learn from these receivers."
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