The New England Patriots finally kicked off 2023 training camp in Foxboro on Wednesday morning. Here are 10 players (and a coach) who stood out to us in practice, for one reason or another…
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster pulls a sled during training camp at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Finally, we got to see Smith-Schuster in uniform and in action on the field. But we admit that we’re stretching for standouts after what was a light start to training camp. That said, Smith-Schuster caught a pass that he carried into the end zone for a “touchdown” during an 11-on-11 red zone drill.
It was a simple, short catch over the middle, but if the Patriots are to have a productive offense in 2023, they’re going to need Smith-Schuster to move the ball with those simple plays on a consistent basis. His catch also came after two straight incompletions by Mac Jones to start 11-on-11, one of which was a throwaway due to pressure.
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster makes a catch during training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
So, we can give Smith-Schuster credit for settling things down and being a safety valve for Jones. He also brought the positive energy between plays, pumping up the crowd and by extension his teammates. Mac Jones was certainly happy to have him out there.
“JuJu loves football and you can see the juice that he brings,” Jones said after practice. “He’s definitely really embraced everything. He’s working really hard, always doing the right thing. So we just got to be consistent and I know that he can bring that veteran leadership.”
WR Ty Montgomery
New England Patriots wide receiver Ty Montgomery II makes a catch during training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
We’re right back to where we were in 2022 with Montgomery, which is that he looks like he has a chance to be a legitimate weapon for the offense. Montgomery caught four (!) “touchdowns” in the red zone period, one from Jones, two from Bailey Zappe, and one from Trace McSorely.
And we are officially listing Montgomery as a wide receiver now, because it appears he has completed his transition back to WR after switching to running back in recent years. He could still be used in a number of ways, but Montgomery has been working heavily with the receiver group.
CB Christian Gonzalez
Christian Gonzalez at 2023 New England Patriots training camp in Foxboro. (Jim Louth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Gonzalez gets a nod here simply because of his reps and where he lined up. The rookie mostly ran with the starting defense in team drills, opposite Jonathan Jones at outside corner.
Ideally, Jack Jones gets back on the straight & narrow (and avoids jail time) and ends up a starter on the outside. But it would be even more ideal for Gonzalez, the 17th overall pick in the 2023 draft, to immediately emerge as a starting-caliber player. Day 1 of camp was a good sign for that.
OT Trent Brown
Trent Brown at 2023 New England Patriots training camp in Foxboro. (Jim Louth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
At this point, we’re giving the big boy credit for standing out simply by existing. By being available. Brown reported early to camp, and when he was asked about it after practice, he replied: “Just doing what I’m asked.”
So it was obviously important to the Patriots that Brown was here on time and ready to go day 1, and it was good to see Brown treat that as equally important to himself. It’s concerning that the Patriots need so much out of a player who’s been unreliable at times, but as long as Brown is on the field, they have a good starting left tackle anchoring the line.
S Kyle Dugger
Kyle Dugger on the first day of 2023 New England Patriots training camp in Foxboro, Mass. (Jim Louth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
The aforementioned interception is what earned Dugger a spot on the day-1 list of standouts. It was especially hard to make big defensive plays during the drills that they ran in this particular practice, so it was good to see one of the Pats’ most dynamic defensive players make a good play.
Dugger’s coverage against tight ends has been inconsistent during his career, but if he can add that to his repertoire, he could take another step forward in what’s already been good, steady growth for him as a player.
OG Bill Murray
Bill Murray on the first day of 2023 New England Patriots training camp in Foxboro, Mass. (Jim Louth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Incumbent starting right guard Michael Onwenu started camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. So Murray, as he did in minicamp, filled in at right guard.
That’s a great sign for the converted defensive tackle to make the team as at least a backup interior O-lineman. It’ll be interesting to see where he and Onwenu end up when they’re both healthy.
DT Christian Barmore
Christian Barmore on the first day of 2023 New England Patriots training camp in Foxboro, Mass. (Jim Louth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Unfortunately, Barmore “stood out” today because he got a lot of run with the backups during the red zone 11-on-11 drills. That doesn’t necessarily mean Barmore is officially being relegated to backup duty. But it could be a small sign that the team still views Barmore as purely a pass-rusher.
They seem to prefer a three-man line of Deatrich Wise, Davon Godchaux, and Lawrence Guy on early downs or to start games. Barmore has commented before on wanting to improve as a run-stopper, so perhaps he still has work to do there.
K Chad Ryland
New England Patriots kicker Chad Ryland warms up during 2023 minicamp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Ryland stood out for the absolute bombs he was dropping on attendees during individual kicking drills. The way camp is set up, just about every practice kick ends with a “HEADS UP!” and someone in the family or media tent nearly getting their face caved in. But for Ryland, it was a good sign.
The rookie looked to be kicking from about 45 yards out, but these kicks looked like they would’ve been good from 60. The Pats still have Nick Folk, but we’re giving Ryland a very good chance to unseat him as the new starting kicker.
LB Mack Wilson
New England Patriots linebacker Mack Wilson Jr. trains with a resistance rope during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Wilson got his hand on a pass attempt during 7-on-7, so for that alone we’re giving him the “standout” tag. Perhaps with a lowerase “s”. But the Patriots are still seeking passing-game playmakers at inside linebacker, and Wilson feels like the best candidate to pull that off in 2023. Good start for him.
Joe Judge
Patriots assistant head coach Joe Judge works through a drill at 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Alex Barth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
We round out the day 1 list with a coach. And Judge only stood out because of who he worked with. Despite being listed under the defense as an assistant head coach, Judge is clearly working exclusively with the special teams units.
And to that end, Judge looks, sounds, feels, and SMELLS like the Pats’ de facto special teams coordinator. Cam Achord still holds that official title, but he’s been working closer with the kickers and punters, an area that’s more his specialty.
As far as the unit and coordinating said unit, Judge looks like the guy. And that would probably turn out to be a good thing for that phase of the game, which has not been well-coordinated since Judge’s departure a few years ago.
