11 Players that stood out on day 5 of Patriots training camp
Patriots training camp continued with day 5 on Monday in Foxboro, marking the first day that players practiced in full pads. Here are 11 players that stood out on the field, for various reasons.
FOXBORO — The pads are on at Patriots camp. Finally, we got to see some “real football” at practice.
As part of the proceedings, Patriots players got to fully engage as blockers, particularly between offensive and defensive linemen. However, there still wasn’t any live tackling, so it would be strong to label this first fully-padded practice as a “full-contact” day.
Still, the Pats got in a lot of work on their new-look running game under offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. All four quarterbacks got reps in competitive 11-on-11 drills, and we got our first real look at the zone blocking scheme and stretch outside runs that will be a staple of the system.
MORE: 10 players that stood out on day 4 of Patriots training camp
But there were also some passing plays mixed in, and that’s where one quarterback and receiver separated themselves on Monday. Here are 11 players that stood out on the practice fields during day 5 of Patriots camp, for both good and/or bad reasons…
QB Jacoby Brissett
Brissett’s best day of camp. He was 7-of-8 passing the ball in 11-on-11, with just one incompletion that was a little high but off the hands of rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk. Brissett completed passes to six different targets: Polk (2), fellow rookie Javon Baker, Tyquan Thornton, tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper, and running back Antonio Gibson.
The veteran is moving well in the pocket and making plays deep down the field, and the starting offensive line was solid for a third straight day in team drills. It’s possible that things are solidifying up front, but it’s also hard to tell against a defensive front that’s missing major pieces in Christian Barmore (blood clots) and Matthew Judon (contract hold-in).
But Brissett no doubt looks good, regardless, and he put together his best day while Drake Maye and the 2’s had another clunky afternoon. So, Brissett could be starting to really run away with the starting job.
WR Tyquan Thornton
Thornton made arguably the best catch of the day during 11-on-11. He reeled in a deep ball from Brissett down the right sideline, around 40 yards, tracking the pass over his shoulder and controlling it through the process.
That was great to see for Thornton, who has historically struggled more when the pads went on than when he practiced in shells. He also made a deep catch from Brissett in 7-on-7. A promising afternoon for the third-year pro, whose roster spot is not guaranteed at this stage.
RB JaMycal Hasty
Hasty took four handoffs and made one catch in 11-on-11, mainly with backups, but did well with his opportunities. He made a nice cutback through a big hole up the middle from a handoff by Bailey Zappe, and also caught a play-action dump-off from Joe Milton III that he took for what could’ve been a long catch-and-run in a game situation.
Hasty is making a strong case to be the Patriots’ third running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. He’s competing for reps with Kevin Harris, Deshaun Fenwick, and Terrell Jennings.
OG Mike Onwenu
With the pads officially on, the Patriots held their first 1-on-1 blocking drills between offensive linemen and defensive linemen/linebackers on Monday, and Onwenu was easily the best player on either side of the ball. He won all three of his reps decisively, most impressively when he completely stuffed linebacker Joshua Uche.
Onwenu remains the best O-lineman on the team, regardless of position, but he continues to project as the starting right guard. His performance in the 1-on-1 drill is a sign that he’s locked in.
OT Caedan Wallace
The rookie continues to rep as the starting left tackle, and was also impressive in the 1-on-1 period. He won three of his four reps, with W’s over Uche, Anfernee Jennings, and John Morgan, and a loss to Keion White. Honorable mention goes to fellow rookie Layden Robinson, who also won his three reps in 1-on-1, including one over veteran Deatrich Wise Jr.
DL Keion White
White was hit-or-miss in the 1-on-1 period, going 2-for-4, with losses to Onwenu and Chuks Okorafor, and wins over Wallace and Atonio Mafi. He also would’ve had a tackle for loss on one play during 11-on-11, when he dusted right tackle Vederian Lowe on the way to stuffing Hasty after a toss from Drake Maye. White has potential, but he’ll need to be more consistent to elevate himself to being a true game-changing player.
DT Trysten Hill
Hill got a look with the starting defense at one point during 11-on-11, parking up front with White and Wise. I credited him with one pressure against Zappe, which might have been a sack if he were allowed to touch the quarterback. A former second-round pick in 2019, Hill might have a real opportunity to carve out a role on this team, especially with Barmore out.
DE Oshane Ximines
Ximines made two run stuffs during 11-on-11. Both were against the 2’s, but like Hill, Ximines may suddenly have a chance to play more than expected, especially as a run defender. There’s also the Davon Godchaux contract situation to monitor. Ximines could be a beneficiary of roster turnover in the front-seven.
OL Nick Leverett
With David Andrews absent from practice for reasons unknown, Leverett was the next man up to rep with the starters at center. There were no glaring issues with Leverett snapping to Brissett. Backup center is one of the lower roster spots worth monitoring, with nothing truly settled after Andrews.
QB Joe Milton/C Charles Turner III
We’re giving Milton and Turner a joint mention, here, because they brutally botched a snap in just their second snap in 11-on-11. Milton and Turner both had to take a play off before returning. Snapping has been an issue with the Patriots’ reserve centers so far in camp.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
