The New England Patriots are currently without cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and $54 million signing Carlton Davis in training camp. Gonzalez suffered a hamstring injury during practice which will keep him sidelined, while Davis has been absent as a “maintenance” precaution.
With the starting CBs not at practice, other players on the depth chart are getting more reps with the first team. Cornerback DJ James is getting by head coach Mike Vrabel before the start of practice.
“DJ is one of those players that’s improved from the end of the spring until now,” Vrabel said. “He’s taken advantage of some players that aren’t [here]. So then he moves up a group or whatever that may be and therefore he’s taken advantage of his opportunities.”
“He’ll continue to earn more opportunities, but DJ is an improved player through the short time that we’ve been here.”
James was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. After spending some time on the Seahawks practice squad before getting waived and was eventually on the Patriots P-squad for the rest of the season.
DJ James Named Winner In Training Camp
GettyPatriots cornerback DJ James
The former Seahawk has been making the most of his opportunity with the Pats this offseason. Already capturing the attention of his head coach, James is also turning heads with reporters.
Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed named DJ James as a winner after the first week of Patriots training camp. Here’s what he had to say about the cornerback:
“If I’m giving my true biggest winner right now, it would be cornerback D.J. James, a practice squad player from last season who seems to make a pass breakup or two every practice. He also had the first interception of camp. The Seahawks’ 2024 sixth-round pick is making a strong case for a roster spot.”
James said he manifested the interception during practice. The CB said he was told to make a play on the ball and it came to him. James had recorded two interceptions in his final collegiate season at Auburn.
GettyNew England Patriots
DJ James has been impressing at training camp and that could soon translate on gameday.
With Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis out for the time being, James will most likely receive more snaps during the preseason. The formers wouldn’t play many snaps either way, but those could be given to James and make his name known on the field.
DJ James has yet to play a snap in his professional career so far, but a strong showing in the team’s three preseason games can get him on the 53-man roster.
“With his instincts and ball skills flashing more consistently, James is making a push for a role in the cornerback rotation,” Patriots staff writer Mike Dussault wrote.
Patriots Second-Year Cornerback Making Waves at Training Camp