Four things to think about while waiting for the Patriots to start minicamp
Four thoughts on the Patriots ahead of mandatory minicamp . . .
1. On the same day they traded for star wide receiver A.J. Brown, the Patriots also placed tight end Julian Hill on injured reserve.
Brown’s addition naturally overshadowed the second piece of news.
Hill, who signed a three-year, $15 million deal this offseason, is not a super recognizable player. He played college football at Campbell. He went undrafted in 2023. In his three NFL seasons, all with the Dolphins, he caught a total of 33 passes for 288 yards and zero touchdowns.
But Hill is a major loss for the Patriots, even if he doesn’t light up the stat sheet.
The Patriots signed Hill as part of their offseason effort to bolster their run game, with hopes of upping its efficiency and consistency. At 6 feet 4 inches and 251 pounds, Hill boasts size and plays with an impressive level of physicality.
“I think there were points in the season where we didn’t run the ball as we would have liked last year, for a variety of reasons,” executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said in March following the initial wave of free agent signings. “I think adding the fullback, guard, and a tight end who’s primarily been a blocker in his career certainly was intentional, trying to get some toughness and some identity guys for coach [Mike] Vrabel in that offense.”
Vrabel did not share details on Hill’s injury, only that it happened during practice and will cause him to miss the entire season.
The Patriots are now left with Hunter Henry as the only veteran tight end on their roster. Henry, who maintains a significant role as a pass catcher, played just 48.6 percent of his offensive snaps inline during the regular season last year. Hill, meanwhile, played 70 percent of his offensive snaps inline while with the Dolphins.
So, who can fill Hill’s role?
The current options are only young and inexperienced players. Rookie Eli Raridon, drafted in the third round out of Notre Dame, has high potential, but probably needs time to develop. The rest of the depth chart features C.J. Dippre, who played 20 offensive snaps last season; Jack Westover, who switched positions to fullback; and undrafted rookie Tanner Arkin.
If the Patriots want to sign a veteran free agent, some of the available players include Jonnu Smith, Will Dissly, Tucker Fisk, and Pharaoh Brown.
2. One question I have been meaning to ask Vrabel is why hasn’t rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas been practicing? Jacas, drafted in the second round, was not on the field during the organized team activity sessions open to the media. Nor was he present during the lone rookie minicamp practice open to the media.
It’s possible Jacas is sidelined as a precautionary measure to ensure a full recovery from a lingering hamstring issue. Jacas did not participate during the scouting combine and Illinois Pro Day (March 12) because of a right hamstring strain. He instead held a workout for NFL teams on April 2, when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.69 seconds with a 1.59-second 10-yard split.
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It’s also possible Jacas isn’t taking the field until he signs his contract. The proportion of guaranteed money included in a second-round pick’s contract became a hot topic last year, after the Texans made wide receiver Jayden Higgins the first second-round pick in NFL history to receive a fully guaranteed contract.
Draft picks can practice during OTAs, but not training camp, while unsigned. First-round pick Caleb Lomu, for example, has not signed his contract but has been practicing this spring. Unlike second-round picks, however, all first-rounders have fully guaranteed contracts.
Given the Patriots’ glaring need on the edge, and the absence of veteran Harold Landry, Jacas has a fairly open opportunity to play meaningful snaps this season.
3. All eyes will be looking for cornerback Christian Gonzalez when mandatory minicamp begins next Tuesday. Vrabel said he “would imagine” that Gonzalez, who has yet to practice while awaiting a contract extension, reports next week.
If Gonzalez does not report, he will face fines exceeding $100,000. He could circumvent the financial penalty, and still “hold out,” by showing up for practice but not participating.
Amid the contract negotiations, Gonzalez has stayed connected with his teammates. He participated in Drake Maye’s inaugural celebrity softball game last weekend and is hosting his own celebrity basketball game this weekend.
Gonzalez’s event, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday at his old high school in Texas, is expected to feature a number of Patriots, including Brown, Carlton Davis, DeMario Douglas, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Kyle Williams. Three former Patriots (Ja’Whaun Bentley, Matthew Judon, and Keion White) are also on the list, as is Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith.
Another name to look for next Tuesday is wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who has been working out away from the team. Boutte, entering the final year of his rookie contract, is likely seeking a trade following the acquisitions of Brown and Romeo Doubs.
4. Losing Khyiris Tonga this offseason is a big hit to New England’s interior defense, but there’s a reason the team didn’t make any additional moves at defensive tackle. Leonard Taylor, the hero of the AFC Championship game for blocking Will Lutz’s potentially game-tying field goal, and Cory Durden both seem ready for larger roles, while Eric Gregory and 2025 fourth-round pick Joshua Farmer round out the depth chart.
“There’ll be a competition in training camp, but I think that’s a good group,” Vrabel said. “The lines of scrimmage are critical. When we talk about our defensive line and our offensive linemen, they have to be our identity soldiers and the warriors that carry the message in the way that they play.”
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