6 takeaways from Patriots 2026 rookie minicamp

Vrabel was very involved with Obiazor during the third period, where a small group worked on personal punt protector drills. Later in practice, Vrabel was hands-on with rookie offensive lineman Dametrious Crownover.

“It’s great. He’s a great guy, and I learned a lot from him already just being here a few days,” Crownover said. “What it takes to play offensive line at the elite level. He’s not going to let you slack off. He’s going to stay on you and make sure he’s getting the best out of you.”

Overall, the Patriots had 39 players on the field between their draft class, undrafted free agents, tryout players, and a select few practice squad players. Here are the top takeaways:

Caleb Lomu starts at left tackle

It’s widely thought that the Patriots view Caleb Lomu as their future right tackle. However, the team’s first-round pick only played left tackle during Saturday’s rookie minicamp. That position is currently filled by last year’s first-round pick, Will Campbell.

Does that mean a competition is brewing?

Probably not.

The truth (and less salacious answer) is that it’s very likely the Patriots put Lomu at his most comfortable position to start rookie minicamp. He’s an experienced left tackle with the overwhelming majority of his reps coming from that side in college at Utah.

On Saturday, the Patriots had sixth-round pick Dametrious Crownover play right tackle. The massive 6-foot-7, 319-pound prospect mainly played on that side during his time at Texas A&M.

Although the Patriots put both rookie tackles where they’re most comfortable to start, both have said they’ll start practicing on both sides.

“Played a lot of right tackle in college,” Crownover said. “And I’m working both and trying to play that swing position to be able to play both tackles.”

During Lomu’s introductory press conference on Thursday, the 6-foot-6 tackle said something similar.

“I feel comfortable at left but also been working out right these past couple of months, so I feel just as good on the right side as well,” Lomu said. “So, either tackle position, I’m happy to play and feel comfortable playing.”

At Utah, Lomu played 1,582 snaps at left tackle and 32 at right tackle. Crownover played 1,678 snaps at right tackle and 22 on the left side for Texas A&M. If either could develop into a swing tackle this season, it would greatly benefit the Patriots, who are planning on starting Campbell at left tackle and Morgan Moses at right tackle.

In a perfect world, Campbell develops into a top-flight left tackle after being drafted fourth overall in 2025. Then, after this season, Lomu would make the switch to right tackle and replace Moses, who turned 35 this offseason.

In the event Campbell struggles, the Patriots will have another option in Lomu. It’ll be interesting to see how the team uses this year’s first-round pick this offseason when the Patriots practice as a full team.

Undrafted rookie receiver is biggest surprise

It’s not unusual to see an undrafted rookie excel at some point during the offseason in Foxborough.

Last year, it was rookie receiver Efton Chism II and edge rusher Elijah Ponder. Both players separated themselves in training camp and eventually made the Patriots’ 53-man roster. On Saturday, we got a glimpse of the team’s undrafted rookie class, and already a small-school receiver stood out among his peers.

During the Patriots’ lone 11-on-11 drill, receiver Kyle Dixon made the biggest impact, finishing with a team-high four receptions. This practice period lasted 11 plays, and the young receiver made several plays downfield, showcasing noteworthy athleticism and reliable hands.

Dixon comes to New England from Culver-Stockton, an NAIA school out of Canton, Missouri. The 6-foot-2 receiver caught 83 passes for 1,282 yards with 12 touchdowns last season. He finished with 143 receptions, 2,394 yards and 24 touchdowns in two collegiate seasons.

The Patriots have a loaded receiver depth chart with the addition of Romeo Doubs. They’re also rumored to be acquiring A.J. Brown. However, if Dixon continues that pace into training camp, the receiver could be the next undrafted receiver to make the Patriots roster.

Rookie QB is healthy

Behren Morton says he’s finally healthy. On Saturday, that was easy to see.

The Patriots’ rookie was the only quarterback on the field and made the most of his opportunities, finishing 11-of-11 in full-tea, drills. Drafted in the seventh round out of Texas Tech, Morton comes to New England with an extensive injury history.

“Body’s great. This is the healthiest I’ve been in a really long time,” Morton said. “Shoulder hasn’t been this good since high school.”

Morton completed 66% of his passes last season, throwing for 2,780 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. He finished last season playing through a hairline fracture in his right fibula.

Playing through injury was a common theme for the quarterback.

Morton dealt with a grade 3 AC joint sprain in his right throwing shoulder in 2023 and 2024 before getting surgery. He also missed three games during his freshman year due to a left ankle injury.

The rookie, who profiles as the No. 3 quarterback behind Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito, threw the ball well on Saturday.

“It was good,” Morton said. “You know, take things that you messed up the day before and not make the same mistake. So, just learning from my mistakes on day one. It’s been a really good time so far. It’s been a lot of studying, but this is my job now, and so take this personally.”

Future Pro Bowler?

The Patriots surprised some by selecting cornerback Karon Prunty in the fifth round last month.

Prunty, who finished his collegiate career at Wake Forest, said he’s happy to join a cornerback room with Christian Gonzalez, whom he looks up to. When it comes to his role on the team, however, Prunty aims to make an impact on special teams.

It sounds like the rookie wants to be the next great Patriots gunner.

“Just want to prove I’m willing to do whatever for the team,” Prunty said. “Whether it’s playing special teams, running as a gunner, being a Pro Bowler at that, or getting on the field as a corner and just getting my feet wet, things like that.”

Tryout players

The Patriots entered this week with two open roster spots on their 90-man roster. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the team fill one or both of those spots with another rookie.

The Patriots invited 17 rookies to their minicamp as tryout players.

Here’s the list:

• Olasunkonmi Agunloye, DL, Florida International
• Nate Azzopardi, OL, Idaho
• Logan Collier, CB, North Alabama
• Tim Coutras, S, Tennessee Tech
• Jeremiah Franklin, TE, Boston College
• Malcolm Greene, CB, Massachusetts
• Cade Harris, WR, Air Force
• Kneeland Hibbett, LS, Alabama
• Xavier Holmes, DE, James Madison
• Jha’Quan Jackson, WR, Tulane
• Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB, Central Michigan
• Peter Manuma, S, Hawaii
• Tyrell Martin, DL, Eastern Michigan
• Mitch McCarthy, P, Indiana
• Elijah Simonson, OL, UC-Davis
• Declan Williams, LB, Incarnate Word
• Dee Williams, CB, Tennessee

Out of that group, Jackson stood out in 11-on-11s, catching three passes from Morton. If the Patriots want to add competition to the punter position, they could also sign McCarthy.

Attendance

The Patriots didn’t have full attendance on Saturday.

Second-round pick Gabe Jacas was present but did not participate. Third-round pick Eli Rairdon was absent. They were the only two draft picks not to participate during the practices.

Sixth-round pick Quintayvious Hutchins, who played at Boston College, departed practice with an injury. He initially left with a team trainer and spent some time in the trainer room on the practice field before departing for the locker room.

The Patriots were also allowed to have several practice squad players attend and participate in rookie minicamp. Tackle Lorenz Metz, guard Mehki Butler and cornerback Brandon Crossley participated on Saturday.

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