“It takes some players a little longer than it takes others,” said head coach Mike Vrabel on Friday. “I would say that I’m hopeful that his best football is in front of him. I’m very excited about how he came in personality-wise and what he’s shown on the field thus far.”

The Patriots took it easy Friday. Head coach Mike Vrabel led a 75-minute walkthrough, where players did not run or compete after two days of practicing under a hot sun. In fact, they wore sneakers, ballcaps and bucket hats while pacing through drills.

The New England Patriots are pretty well set along the defensive line, but head coach Mike Vrabel said Friday the team will kick the tires about signing recently released defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.