Jared Wilson, a third-round pick for the New England Patriots, pulled off one of the toughest things a rookie can do last season: he snagged a starting job, played out of position, and wasn't even a first-round selection. This guy, a college center, got moved to left guard and somehow kept his head above water. Now, with the Garrett Bradbury trade this offseason, the center job is finally his, which is where he was always meant to be in the NFL.
Wilson's Path to the Middle of It All
ESPN just tabbed Wilson as a breakout candidate, and honestly, you can see why. He's got that sweet combo of quickness, balance, and play speed that modern centers absolutely need to run the show for the running game. Moving to center means he'll face fewer brutal one-on-one battles against power rushers compared to last season, which is gonna be a massive benefit for him. The big question is whether he can handle the pre-snap calls, but if he does, he's projected to be an above-average starting center by this time next year. The Patriots are clearly all-in on him, too, since he spent the whole offseason as the starting center in front of Drake Maye. That's a huge vote of confidence.Sophomores Set to Pop and a Defensive Standout
Wilson isn't the only second-year player eyeing a big jump. There's offensive tackle Will Campbell, whose talent flashed a bunch in 2025, even though a knee injury kinda messed up his rookie year. And don't sleep on big-play running back TreVeyon Henderson either. But the name that's really grabbing attention? That's got to be Craig Woodson. This fourth-round draft pick actually led the team in defensive snaps last year as a rookie. Yeah, you read that right. He's slated to make a monster Year 2 leap in a secondary that includes Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, and veteran addition Kevin Byard. Woodson was promising but a bit inconsistent last year; if he takes that next step up, it could absolutely do wonders for that defense. The summer break is winding down for the Patriots, with the first group of players reporting to training camp in just 10 days. The team just came off a Super Bowl appearance and is rocking an MVP-level quarterback in his third year, so they're definitely on an upward trajectory. Keep an eye on Wilson and Woodson especially as they look to cement their spots and show everyone what they're truly made of.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.