As New England Patriots training camp officially ends Wednesday, it’s time to take a look at which players have impressed the most so far this summer.
Our own Doug Kyed examined the defense, highlighting Trey Flowers and rookies Jonathan Jones and Cre’Von LeBlanc among those who improved their stock the most through three weeks of practice and one preseason game. Now, we’re highlighting the other side of the ball.
Here are six offensive players who stood out during camp:
GÂ Joe Thuney
Thuney was the Patriots’ best offensive lineman in camp and is a near-lock to start at left guard in Week 1. Not too shabby for a third-round draft pick who’s yet to play in his first real NFL game.
RBÂ Tyler Gaffney
No Patriots back carried the ball more in camp than Gaffney, who’s making a push for a roster spot after losing his first two NFL seasons to injury. The hard-running Stanford product rushed nine times for 64 yards in the Patriots’ preseason-opening win over the New Orleans Saints, including a 44-yard touchdown.
Gaffney’s ability to contribute on special teams also improves his chances of sticking around, especially if top running back Dion Lewis begins the season on the physically unable to perform list.
TE A.J. Derby
No Patriots tight end is passing Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett on the depth chart, but Derby has paced the group of players battling for the third tight end spot. Clay Harbor, the pre-camp favorite to win that job, has missed time with an injury, and Derby has taken advantage, showcasing a penchant for making highlight-reel catches and displaying good chemistry with the Patriots’ three quarterbacks.
WR Julian Edelman
Edelman began camp on the PUP list after undergoing offseason foot surgery before being limited for a few days after reinjuring that same foot. But when he was out there, the Patriots’ No. 1 wideout was relentless, making mincemeat of the Saints and Chicago Bears in 1-on-1 drills and showing quickness unmatched by any of his Pats teammates.
WR Chris Hogan
Though he dealt with a training camp injury of his own, Hogan probably was the most consistent Patriots receiver. The highlight of camp for him came when he caught eight passes from quarterback Tom Brady during a heated intrasquad scrimmage.
If Danny Amendola, who has yet to practice, can’t go in Week 1, Hogan projects as New England’s No. 2 wideout behind Edelman.
WR Malcolm Mitchell
Mitchell likely will miss the start of the regular season after suffering a nasty-looking elbow injury (sense a theme here?) against the Saints, but everything leading up to that should make Patriots fans very excited about the fourth-round pick. His hands have been awesome, and he was enjoying what could have been a breakout debut (four catches in 15 snaps) before his injury cut it short.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
