As NFL training camp continues, the monotony of going against the same team in practice becomes real. For those reasons, as well as crafting another game-like situation outside of the preseason as teams focus on cutting down their roster, NFL organizations have joint practices, where they compete against each other in drills and usually a scrimmage.
Several joint practices are happening this upcoming week. Still, arguably, none are more intriguing than when the New England Patriots head to TCO Performance Center in Eagan, MN, to compete against the Minnesota Vikings on August 13. Here are five matchups to watch, complete with full analysis and the use of our own PFSN metrics.
Patriots WR Stefon Diggs vs. Vikings CB Byron Murphy Jr.
The Patriots-Vikings joint practice has numerous storylines for Stefon Diggs. Most prominent is his homecoming in Minnesota, where he was drafted and spent the first five seasons of his career before being traded to the Buffalo Bills. He had a hand in one of the most famous plays in Vikings history: the Minneapolis Miracle.
On this day 3 years ago: The Minneapolis Miracle. “Diggs. Sideline. Touchdown. UNBELIEVABLE! Vikings win it!”
pic.twitter.com/ztr7nRpCG3
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 14, 2021
While he’ll be back in town facing his old team, he’s also coming off a torn ACL that limited him to just eight games last season. He signed with New England in the offseason with hopes of developing a dangerous quarterback-wide receiver duo with second-year passer Drake Maye.
All of those aspects are worth watching, but his matchup against cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., the Vikings’ top cover man, will be the most prominent on-field aspect to pay attention to.
While one may think of Diggs for his accolades (four-time Pro Bowler, 2020 First-Team All-Pro, seven-time member of the NFL’s Top 100 list), he’s actually on an even playing field when matching up against Murphy.
The Minnesota cornerback made the Pro Bowl in 2024 thanks to registering an 82.03 CB+ score, which earned him a B- and ranked him 17th in the league. Diggs came in with an 81.4 WR+ score, also a B-. He ranked 22nd in the league — albeit while playing in eight games due to injury.
According to our metrics, Murphy should have the upper hand in this pass catcher vs. cover corner matchup, especially considering Diggs is coming off a significant injury and learning a new playbook — but don’t tell Diggs that, as he’s one of the most competitive players in the league.
Patriots C Garrett Bradbury vs. Vikings DT Harrison Phillips
Another Minnesota homecoming will take place for New England center Garrett Bradbury, whom the Vikings selected as their first-round pick in 2019 and spent the first six seasons of his career there.
Minnesota decided to go in a different direction this offseason, signing former Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly. That left Bradbury to find a new team, and he signed with the Patriots on a 2-year, $9.5 million deal with $3.8 million guaranteed. He’ll be part of the group tasked with protecting Maye.
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Problematic, however, is that Bradbury’s issue is his pass-blocking. In 2024, he was one of the worst centers in the league in that aspect. However, he was a solid run blocker. Now taking on Minnesota’s front, headlined by defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, Bradbury should be in for a battle.
Last season, Phillips totaled 56 solo tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble as the Vikings’ starter. Per our DT+ metrics, he scored a 75.44 (C), slotting him at 41st in the league. It’s not a terrible mark, as teams regularly have two defensive tackles in the game simultaneously.
Like Diggs vs. Murphy, the interior matchup between Bradbury and Phillips — who’ve gone against each other in practice for years as teammates — should be evenly matched and an entertaining display of physicality.
Vikings WR Jordan Addison vs. Patriots CB Carlton Davis III
With uncertainty over whether Justin Jefferson will practice as he deals with a minor hamstring injury, Jordan Addison has stepped in as the top receiver for Minnesota.
Entering his third season, Addison appears ready to leap after being suspended for the first three games for off-the-field issues.
In his first two seasons, Addison totaled 133 catches for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns — excellent marks for a secondary receiver behind Jefferson. However, our metrics were slightly more down on him as he notched a 78.6 (C) WR+ score in 2024, ranking 34th in the league. Still solid, putting him within striking distance of a No. 1 target worthy with a league of 32 teams.
Lining up across from him this week will be New England cornerback Carlton Davis, the Patriots’ de facto No. 1 corner with 2024 second-team All-Pro Christian Gonzalez currently sidelined with a leg injury.
Our metrics were very kind to Davis early in his career, when he was known as one of the best in the game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2019, he registered a CB+ score of 87.23 (B+), finishing with the fifth-best mark in the league.
Last season was a different story, as Carlton, 28, scored at 76.77 (C) in 13 games for the Detroit Lions. That ranked 49th, a solid number for the second cornerback. But now thrust into the top spot during the joint practice, Davis will have his hands full with Addison.
Patriots QB Drake Maye vs. Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy
Though not directly competing against each other, there’s a high interest in seeing how Maye and J.J. McCarthy compare in the same space. Both first-rounders in 2024 (Maye, third overall, and McCarthy, 10th) had very different rookie campaigns.
While Maye started 12 games and flashed his potential, McCarthy tore his meniscus in the preseason and missed the entire season  — becoming the first first-round QB to miss his entire rookie season in NFL history.
McCarthy looked on as Sam Darnold tossed a career-high 35 touchdowns, leading the Vikings to the playoffs. But after letting Darnold walk in free agency, the ship is McCarthy’s to steer.
Early returns in training camp are that he’s coming along at a nice pace, but that doesn’t dismiss the on-field time that he missed a season ago — that Maye earned.
Maye was far from excellent last season, registering a 74.0 (C) QB+ score, ranking 21st in the league. But that has to come with the caveat that he had arguably the worst supporting cast in the league.
Despite having little help from the offensive line, running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers, he still impressed, throwing 15 touchdowns. He excelled when the play broke down, showing creativity that raises his ceiling exponentially.
McCarthy is still an unknown, but having someone to compare him to — like Maye — will provide a solid perspective on his progress as he enters his first season of play in the NFL.
Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson vs. Vikings LB Blake Cashman
An emerging storyline throughout Patriots camp has been the impact that TreVeyon Henderson will have on the team’s offense as a rookie. Still slotted behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson on the depth chart, Henderson flashed — literally — his speed on the opening kickoff of the Patriots’ first preseason game, returning it 100 yards for a touchdown.
TREVEYON HENDERSON 100-YD KICKOFF RETURN TD WITH HIS FIRST NFL TOUCH 😱
(via @Patriots)pic.twitter.com/bPBeLpn3ZR
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 8, 2025
On the other side of the ball defensively, linebacker Blake Cashman will be tasked with meeting Henderson in the hole and covering him at times in the pass game. He led the Vikings in tackles last season with 112 total, including 4.5 sacks and eight passes defensed.
Our metrics graded him 79.3 (C+), good for 27th. It was his first season in Minnesota, and he proved good on his 3-year, $22.5 million contract.
But where Cashman makes up in strength, he lacks slightly in speed. While that’ll benefit him against Henderson in between the tackles, there’s a world where Henderson makes Cashman look silly in space.
The former Ohio State Buckeyes running back did it with regularity in college, and we could see it this week.
