4 Patriots already tumbling down the depth chart at training camp

The Patriots are about to begin their third week of training camp and start preparing for their first preseason game on Thursday. While that's all happening, the roster will continue to battle it out, with each player hoping to secure a spot on the team for the season ahead.

With the newly implemented rule of just one roster cutdown at the end of the offseason, players on the bubble still have plenty of time to prove they're worthy of making the team. But a few have already begun tumbling down the depth chart and will need to fight hard to work their way back into the coaches' good graces.

There are four in particular who have surprisingly found themselves fighting for reps as training camp goes on and have a tough battle ahead of them to get out of that hole.

4 Patriots already tumbling down the depth chart at training camp

K Joey Slye

One of the most highly anticipated roster battles of the summer was expected to be between Chad Ryland and Joey Slye. After Ryland struggled mightily as a rookie during the 2023 season, it was unsurprising to see the Patriots sign a veteran.

Because of that experience, there was a belief that Slye would easily win the starting role over Ryland, but that hasn't been the case so far through nearly three weeks of training camp.

Although he has never been the most reliable or high-performing kicker in the league, Slye has several years of successful special teams outings that could potentially put the Patriots in a better position on game day than the issues created by Ryland last year.

However, because he knew his days were likely numbered, we've seen a far more accurate showing from the second-year specialist, and he has been the winner of the kicking battle so far.

Since it's unlikely the Patriots will carry two kickers into the regular season, Slye will need to somehow outperform Ryland over the next few weeks to secure a spot on the roster. Otherwise, the new regime will likely entrust Ryland with the starting duties once again and cross their fingers he will perform far better than he did as a rookie.

QB Bailey Zappe

Perhaps the most exciting roster battle heading into training camp this year surrounded who would ultimately be named the starting quarterback for the 2024 season. That remains between Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye, but who would become the third-string play-caller is still up for grabs.

The thought was that it would be a tough battle for rookie Joe Milton III, who would likely be competing with Bailey Zappe for that coveted spot. But through training camp so far, we've seen the rise of the rookie and the demise of the veteran.

On almost a daily basis, Milton outshines his competition with his impressive deep throws and athleticism, which he casually shows off by celebrating good moments with a backflip. He began the offseason as the fourth-string quarterback but has since leapfrogged Zappe to receive the third most reps on the practice field.

This isn't a great sign for the guy who replaced Mac Jones last year and hoped he did enough to prove he could be handed the keys to a team, even in a backup role.

He was going to need a strong performance at training camp and during the preseason to accomplish that, and we are yet to see it happen. There is still time for things to turn around, but that would also be hoping Milton's value decreases at the same time, which doesn't appear likely.

TE Mitchell Wilcox

With Hunter Henry secured as the team's starting tight end for the foreseeable future, who would become his solid number two was up for grabs. Austin Hooper was signed as the trusted veteran, especially since he was reuniting with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.

However, there was still a vacancy behind Henry that wasn't locked up by anyone based on their veteran status.

That's where there was a possibility that a young player like Mitchell Wilcox would take advantage of the opportunity and outshine his tight end counterparts on the practice field. Unfortunately, that has not happened, and Hooper has been the most impressive so far.

If that continues and Wilcox still struggles during practices, it's looking more likely that Wilcox won't make the final roster or could be relegated to the practice squad. There is still a chance he could fill the role of the TE3 if he can impress more than rookie Jaheim Bell, but we'll have to wait and see how he looks over the next few weeks.

WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

The wide receiver competition was not expected to be a big deal this offseason, given the Patriots' unfavorable history at the position. However, with 12 receivers still signed to the team and practicing, the battle of who will be kept around for the 2024 season has recently heated up.

Among the fringe players needing a great showing during the preseason to secure a spot on the roster is JuJu Smith-Schuster, who had a less-than-ideal first year in New England last season. It wasn't entirely his fault since the offense was an utter disaster in multiple ways, but Smith-Schuster didn't do himself any favors by fumbling away the opportunities given to him on game days.

On top of it all, his injury was apparently much worse than initially reported, which forced him to end the 2023 season on injured reserve. Although he claims to be feeling 100% again this summer, he hasn't performed much better at practice like most were hoping to see.

With the breakout performances of rookie Javon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk, the expectation of another impressive season from DeMario Douglas, and Kendrick Bourne being back in the lineup, a path to make the roster is narrowing for Smith-Schuster.

He will need to figure out a way to prove he can be a productive member of the receiving corps and a solid veteran to help the offense get back to being successful over the next few weeks or be at an even higher risk of being cut or traded.

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