Training Camp Stock Watch: Rookie TE Shows Good Hands in Red Zone

Training Camp Stock Watch: Rookie TE Shows Good Hands in Red Zone originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston

FOXBORO — The Patriots were back in practice for Day 11 of training camp, taking to the soggy fields behind Gillette Stadium for their final competitive practice before the preseason opener.

Although Jerod Mayo’s pre-practice press conference was filled with questions about Brandon Aiyuk and the possibility of the Patriots adding an expensive wideouthe noted that players who are healthy enough to play in Thursday’s game against the Panthers will play.

This includes all four quarterbacks. This includes highly paid players in new deals. And, of course, that includes young players vying for new jobs.

In our latest edition of Stock Watch, we have players from across the spectrum represented. Let’s look at the noteworthy names for the 11th…

Stock

Kyle Dugger, security

Dugger is having one of the best camps of anyone on the Patriots roster. After causing a goal-line pick by breaking up a pass on the 10th, Dugger followed with a sack, a pressure and a pass breakup in coverage of Austin Hooper on Tuesday.

Jaheim Bell, tight end

The only down moment for Dugger was when he was in coverage of rookie seventh-round pick Jaheim Bell in a 7-on-7 period. Drake Maye floated a fade to the back corner of the end zone that Bell recovered despite heavy coverage. from the veteran safety.

Bell missed time due to an undisclosed illness, but when he had the opportunity to make a play, he made it.

Chad Ryland, kicker

Ryland has consistently won early competitions to wrap up camp training this summer.

He won another matchup with Joey Slye on Tuesday, drilling a 50-yarder to finish off the back-and-forth. Slye missed the opportunity at the same distance after going kick for kick with Ryland before that.

Low stock

Kevin Harris, running back

It’s been difficult for the Patriots’ running game to find much space at the line of scrimmage, which isn’t necessarily Harris’ problem. But he was hampered by Tuesday’s rainy weather.

He’ll have the opportunity to make up for it by racking up a lot of runs on Thursday night, one would think.

Atônio Mafi, internal offensive attacker

The Patriots appeared to move Mafi out of the center position in recent practices, opting for a rotation of David Andrews, Nick Leverett and Charles Turner in that spot. But he returned to center briefly on the 11th. However, since there was a fumbled snap to Drake Maye, he was benched in favor of Leverett.

It looks like if Mafi is going to make the team, it will be as a guard. Breaking the ball consistently has been a problem for him as he tries out a new position.

Javon Baker, wide receiver

This was a tough inclusion because Baker made one of the most impressive catches of camp when he set up a Jacoby Brissett offering and pulled it out by somersaulting out of bounds. His feet didn’t stay within bounds, however.

He also suffered a fall at the end of training and had a target from Maye that was hit. From the interception, it was unclear whether or not Baker should have made the catch – it appeared the pass bounced off his chest – or whether it was deflected by AJ Thomas before being picked off by Marcellas Dial.