Patriots training camp stock watch: Risers, fallers after 11 practices

Patriots training camp stock watch: after 11 practices, Boston.com’s Conor Ryan reports several clear risers and fallers as New England heads into its preseason opener next week. Across those sessions, the Patriots’ biggest takeaways include an ascending WR1, a defensive lineman earning first-team work, a perfect kicking day and a handful of roster questions that remain unresolved.

Patriots training camp stock watch — quick lede and sourcing

This assessment reflects observations from 11 total practices and is grounded in a Boston.com piece written by Conor Ryan. The roundup below uses practice reps, 1-on-1s and team-period notes from those sessions to identify which players are improving their odds for roster roles and which have slid down the depth chart.

Risers — who is moving up the depth chart

A.J. Brown has been the clearest offensive stock riser. After early work to build rapport with Drake Maye, Brown has shown an elite first step and a varied route tree, winning 1-on-1s and emerging as a reliable target.

• Evidence: frequent 1-on-1 wins and early first-team targets with Drake Maye in red-zone and intermediate reps.

Dre’Mont Jones has been a steady presence with the first-team defense, showing consistent physicality in 1-on-1 pass-rush drills.

• Evidence: multiple reps finishing blocks in individual drills and sustained snaps with starters.

Andy Borregales turned in a perfect kicking day, going 7-for-7 in practice and closing a two-minute sequence with a 54-yard field goal — a boost for his roster security.

• Evidence: spotless practice kicking sheet, including a high-leverage two-minute drill conclusion.

Gabe Jacas made an immediate splash upon returning from a holdout and time on the NFI list, earning first-team reps and standing out in pass-rush work.

• Evidence: disruptive 1-on-1 reps and coach-noted burst on the edge after his first full practices back.

Fallers — players who have lost ground

Caleb Lomu has shown some rookie moments that have cost him; he lost several 1-on-1 matchups and was passed in a recent session when Marcus Bryant stepped in at left tackle.

• Evidence: decisive losses in recent 1-on-1s and reduced first-team opportunity when others filled in.

Lan Larison has seen reps slide and suffered a costly fumble last week, which has pushed him behind other backs for third-down or rotational roles.

• Evidence: fewer offensive snaps and situational work compared with Terrell Jennings and other rotational backs.

Kayshon Boutte has seen decreased reps as the staff allocates more snaps to Brown and others; reporting notes the team is open to trade interest, though that remains unconfirmed and time-sensitive.

• Evidence: fewer target opportunities and diminished route-running reps in team periods.

Romeo Doubs missed recent practices and, while serviceable, hasn’t flashed the same explosiveness as top receivers so far.

• Evidence: missed two days of practice and a steady — not dominant — target share in team drills.

Special teams and kicking

Special-teams play has produced clear evidence for roster decisions. Kicking, in particular, has been settled by Andy Borregales‘ perfect practice outing — a meaningful sample given the lack of internal competition.

Return and coverage units have also seen defined performers: veteran roles and reliability in blocking and tackling are being prioritized as the staff balances roster spots.

• Evidence: Borregales 7-for-7 in practice, including a 54-yard FG to end a two-minute drill; consistent reps from known coverage standouts.

Contract and availability watch — unresolved items to monitor

Several items remain unresolved and should be treated as time-sensitive or unconfirmed. Ongoing contract talks involving Christian Gonzalez have not been resolved, though Gonzalez has continued to practice at a high level.

• Evidence: active participation in team drills despite media reports of continuing negotiations; contract status remains unsettled and should be confirmed before citing as final.

Gabe Jacas returned from an extended holdout and NFI time and immediately earned first-team looks, but his missed time is a factor to monitor.

• Evidence: early disruptive reps are encouraging, but Jacas must make up work missed in earlier camp weeks.

Other availability notes: Will Campbell did not take part in competitive drills one day while wearing a brace, and Romeo Doubs has missed recent practices. Treat practice injury notes as time-sensitive and subject to updates.

Preseason outlook — what to watch vs. Colts

The preseason opener vs. the Colts will answer multiple stock questions. Expect the coaching staff to allocate reps that clarify starter-versus-bubble distinctions.

Key matchups to monitor: receiver-on-corner 1-on-1s (Brown vs. corner packages), edge-rush reps for Jacas and Jones, and backup tackle reps that will indicate Lomu’s readiness if Campbell needs time.

• Evidence: situational reps (two-minute drills, red-zone period, and multi-linebacker packages) next week will be high-leverage indicators before final cuts.

Camp Stock: Rising vs Falling (after 11 practices)

Bottom line — roster implications and near-term markers

• Stock boosts for top performers (Brown, Jones, Borregales) tighten starter and specialist decisions; those players look likely to secure key roles.
• Rising backups (Jacas, Muma, Marcus Bryant) increase depth value but must sustain production in the preseason vs. the Colts to cement roster spots.
• Fallers (Lomu, Larison, Boutte) face an uphill climb; preseason reps, remaining camp practices and health updates will be decisive.

What next: watch the preseason opener vs. the Colts, remaining live practices and how coaches allocate two-minute, red-zone and opponent-simulated reps — those will be the clearest near-term markers before final 53-man decisions.