Rating each position on Patriots’ roster heading into 2026 NFL training camp

The New England Patriots were hoping for a year of progress when they hired Mike Vrabel to become their head coach last year. He had the background and the know-how as a Super Bowl-winning player with the team and a previous six-year assignment as head coach of the Tennessee Titans. He was clearly ready to take over the Patriots, he built a rapport with his players and he had a quarterback that was ready to take a step forward.

A .500 season that had them in contention for a playoff spot would have been a positive step for the Patriots, but they went far beyond that. After losing two of their first three games, the Patriots caught fire and won 13 of their final 14 games — including 10 in a row — to win the AFC East title.

That was just the beginning of an epic story as they rolled through the AFC playoffs, beating the Chargers, Texans and the Broncos. The victory over Denver on the road in the AFC title game was an accomplishment that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick never could check off on their resumes.

A loss to the Seahawks in the Super Bowl was painful, but it was a brilliant year. Expectations are much higher this year and the pressure will be on the Patriots when they kick of the season in their opening game at Seattle.

Vrabel has had a difficult offseason from a personal perspective. A challenging opening month awaits the coach and his players. The Patriots know that opponents will be fully prepared to face a talented team on an every-week basis.

Here’s a look at their position groups as they prepare for the start of training camp:

Quarterback

Drake Maye made a huge jump last year from trying to prove himself to a legitimate MVP candidate. An excellent combination of arm talent and athleticism, Maye threw for 4,394 yards with a spectacular 31 to 8 TD to interception ratio. Maye was focused throughout the playoffs, but he was overwhelmed by the Seahawks defense in the Super Bowl, so there is room to grow.

Backup Tommy DeVito has some arm talent and charisma as a backup, but it will be a huge drop-off if he is forced to play at any point in the season.

Grade: 8.5

Running backs

There is a tendency to downgrade starter Rhamondre Stevenson because he is not an All-Pro and he does not have explosive speed. However, he is a solid professional who led the team with 911 yards and 9 TDs last season. He is extremely dependable even though he does not have overwhelming athletic ability. TreVeyon Henderson was a dominant running back at Ohio State and he had a productive rookie year with 611 yards and 7 touchdowns. Look for even more production from him in 2026.

Grade: 7.5

Wide receivers

The Patriots made a huge addition in the offseason when they brought in A.J. Brown from the Eagles to take over as the team’s top receiver from Stefon Diggs.

Brown is a seven-year veteran who is coming off four brilliant seasons with the Eagles. He has exceeded the 1,000-yard mark in six of his seven season.

He is a hard-working player who simply will not drop the ball. Brown has been charged with one drop in the last two seasons — although he had 7 in the 2024 season. He will make life much easier for Maye.

So will Romeo Doubs, who came over from the Packers. Tight end Hunter Henry is coming off a fine season that included 60-768-7 but the Pats lost backup Austin Hooper to free agency.

Grade: 8

Offensive line

Will Campbell has a chance to be special as Maye’s blind-side protector, but the left tackle had a difficult time throughout the postseason. Right tackle Morgan Moses gave up just one sack last year and is quite dependable.

The interior offensive line is dependent on Jared Wilson moving from left guard to center this season and that is not an easy maneuver. Left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker was injury prone throughout his time with the Jets, but right guard Mike Onwenu is the team’s longest-tenured offensive lineman and fairly solid.

Grade: 6

Defensive line

It’s hard to overstate how much Milton Williams meant to the Patriots defense last season. In addition to his stats — 29 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 8 TFL — he set the tone for the defense. He made life much easier for Christian Barmore as the veteran defensive tackle no longer had to worry about double teams. The pressure will be on second-year NT Cory Durden, who is being asked to replace Khyiris Tonga (Chiefs).

Grade: 7

Linebackers

The Patriots don’t have superstars at the linebacker position, but they have a solid group led by Robert Spillane. The inside linebacker led the team with 97 stops and he also contributed 5 passes defensed and 2 interceptions. Christian Elliss made his name as a special-teams demon and he proved to be a solid tackler with 76 stops. Harold Landry had a team-leading 8.5 sacks, but he is coming off knee surgery. The Pats are hoping that former Ravens LB Dre’Mont Jones can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Grade: 6.5

Secondary

This area will be the strength of the defense. The Pats have a trio of cornerbacks who may be the best in the AFC. Christian Gonzalez is a spectacular cover man who combines athleticism with tremendous know-how. He earned Pro Bowl honors last year and even more is expected from him this year. Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones both are excellent cover men.

The Pats added FS Kevin Byard in the offseason and he played for Vrabel with the Titans. He had a league-leading 7 interceptions for the Bears last season. Byard will team with second-year SS Craig Woodson, who had 79 tackles last year and played his best football late in the second half of the season

Grade: 8.5

Special teams

This should be an area of strength for the Patriots. PK Andy Borregales was a perfect 4 of 4 on FG attempts beyond 50 yards. Bryce Baringer had a net average of 40.6 yards per punt and needs to be better. Marcus Jones is an outstanding punt returner who had two returns for TDs last season. Kyle Williams and Efton Chism can get the job done as kick returners.

Grade: 7.5

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