A youth movement from players like Drake Maye and TreVeyon Henderson changed the tide for the Patriots in 2025 and the youngsters helped carry Mike Vrabel’s team all the way to the Super Bowl. With a year under an outstanding draft class’s belt and a whole new crop of talent walking into Foxboro, here are three breakout candidates to watch as training camp gets underway:
Craig Woodson (Safety)
The Patriots’ 2025 fourth round pick had an ultra-productive rookie season, playing more than 93% of snaps through 17 games, but where he really impressed was in the playoffs. Woodson played every defensive snap in games against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos, and played 93% and 90% of snaps in the Houston Texans slop-fest and the Super Bowl, respectively.
Woodson, a Berkley product, showed high football IQ and was able be a plug-and-play guy all over New England’s secondary. Watch for him to continue growing his game in what could be the league’s best secondary. The Patriots added fellow safety Kevin Byard III, a three-time All-Pro player who’s likely to be a captain in the fall. The unit will be rounded out by star cornerback Christian Gonzalez and fellow veterans Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones.
Eli Raridon (Tight end)
Admittedly, Raridon having a breakout rookie season may border on necessity for the Patriots, who let tight end Austin Hooper walk in free agency. Hunter Henry has been a dependable presence for the team going back to 2021, but he’s climbing in years and miles. Raridon, the Patriots third-round pick in the 2026 draft, took a huge leap in his senior year at Notre Dame. He jumped from 90 yards on 11 catches in 2024 to 482 yards on 32 catches last fall.
Raridon certainly looks the part at 6’6 and 245 pounds. If he can pick up Josh McDaniels’ offense quickly, he could beat out Jack Westover, whose snaps have often come on special teams or at fullback, anyway. A successful rookie campaign could give Drake Maye his tight end of the future.
Jared Wilson (Center)
Wilson, who played 71.76% of offensive snaps during the regular season last year, is expected to move from left guard to center to replace Garrett Bradbury, the one-year free agent who departed in the spring.
He was able to help anchor fellow rookie Will Campbell on Maye’s blind side of the offensive line, but injuries and experience took a toll on the left side by the Super Bowl. Watch for Wilson to bring his high intelligence and calm demeanor to the position where he earned second-team All-SEC honors in college. He should also get a boost from the veteran presence of Alijah Vera-Tucker, the former Jet signed by the Patriots in free agency to take over left guard, provided that Vera-Tucker stays healthy.
