4 must-watch positional battles at Patriots training camp this week

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The , after a month off away from the facilities, have reconvened at Gillette Stadium for their training camp se sions starting on Wednesday.As the team works for the next month, some players will move up and down  John Konchar Jersey the depth chart depending on how they perform compared to their teammates.With the work starting, let's take a quick look at some of the most interesting battles that will take place throughout the end of July and into August.QuarterbackThe most important position on the football field is an open competition for New England this season despite head coach Jerod Mayo Bri sett will have to hold off third-overall draft pick Drake Maye, returning backup Bailey Zappe and sixth-round pick Joe Milton III.Bri sett's experience in  Justin Holiday Jersey the system and as a starter in the league gives him a leg up on the others, but there's a real chance that he gets pushed for the job as things progre s.Wide ReceiverThe Patriots have a good mix of returning and new players in the wide receiver room, but the hierarchy on the depth chart appears to be completely open.With Kendrick Bourne, who would presumably be near the top this year, , more opportunities will open up for rookie draft picks Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker to earn significant roles within the offense.Veterans like Tyquan Thornton and JuJu Smith-Schuster could be in danger of losing their spots on the roster if they don' Marc Gasol Jersey t perform well over the next month, making this battle arguably the most intriguing.Offensive tackle(s)New England let 2023 left tackle Trent Brown leave in free agency and re-signed 2023 right tackle Mike Onwenu to a ma sive extension.They then signed Chukwuma Okorafor, a right tackle from the Pittsburgh Steelers, and drafted Caedan Wallace, a right tackle Killian Tillie Jersey  from Penn State, with the intention that they'd compete for the left tackle spot.However, through organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp, the line was mixed up a bit with Onwenu kicking back inside to guard.Two people will have to man the positions in Week 1, and the coaching staff will have to figure out which two are best fit for the task.KickerThe Patriots drafted Chad Ryland in the fourth round of the 2023 draft out of Maryland,  Marko Guduric Jersey and he was statically the worst kicker in football last season.In 17 games, he finished 16-of-25 (64%) on field goal attempts and 24-of-25 (96%) on extra points.This offseason, they signed veteran kicker Joey Slye (82.3% on field goals in his career).While the kicker position often gets overlooked, Mayo's team will need to have some reliable out there to attempt these kicks, and this competition should help them find someone.