Rookie WR Aaron Dobson (hamstring) was limited in Patriots practice for the second straight day Thursday. Dobson's status hasn't been of much discussion amongst the Patriots' media, but there's been no indication the injury is serious. We'd guess he'll be good to against the Bills on Sunday. Out-played by UDFA Kenbrell Thompkins this summer, Dobson is off the re-draft radar for the time being.

Aaron Dobson caught four passes for 50 yards in the Patriots' third preseason game Thursday night. Dobson is still being sprinkled in with the first-team offense, but it's crystal clear he's not as good yet as Kenbrell Thompkins. Dobson needs to play with more physicality and assertiveness, and it was on a Dobson target that Tom Brady threw his first interception of August. Dobson has still flashed with some highlight-reel catches, and is a big receiver who runs pretty well. He's just not worth a re-draft league fantasy pick. Through three preseason games, Dobson has eight receptions for 115 yards.

Patriots second-round pick Aaron Dobson played behind UDFA Kenbrell Thompkins in Friday night's preseason game. While Thompkins started opposite Danny Amendola and got 21 snaps with the Tom Brady offense, Dobson played just two snaps with Brady and spent most of the game in the Ryan Mallett and Tim Tebow groups. Beat writers say Thompkins has outplayed Dobson in practices. ESPN Boston's Field Yates calls the rookies "different types" of wideouts, giving Dobson the edge in "size and length." Thompkins is "a more refined route runner with better quickness."

ESPN Boston notes that second-round WR Aaron Dobson has "turned things around after a less-than-smooth beginning in the spring." Dobson has "made himself more into a factor in training camp." He remains in a battle with impressive undrafted rookie Kenbrell Thompkins for the starting X receiver job. Dobson appears to be slightly behind right now after playing behind Thompkins in the preseason opener.

Patriots rookie WR Aaron Dobson caught 2-of-6 targets for 35 yards in Friday night's preseason opener. He also had a noticeable drop on a very catchable pass. Dobson received some first-team reps, but looks to be behind Kenbrell Thompkins at this point, even if it's only by a small margin. In camp practices, the Pats' most frequent three-wide set has included Thompkins, Josh Boyce, and Danny Amendola, with Dobson rotating in. Dobson is just a late-round flier in re-draft leagues.

According to the Boston Herald, Tom Brady's willingness to "allow Aaron Dobson to make tough plays" has become a "noticeable trend." Along with fellow rookie pass catchers Kenbrell Thompkins and Zach Sudfeld, Dobson has been the story of Pats camp. We'll get our first live look at the trio in Friday's preseason debut, though Brady figures to play only a series or two. New England's third exhibition tilt will be the most telling for Dobson and his rookie teammates.

Live from Gillette Stadium, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported Tuesday the Patriots are using more three-receiver than two-tight end sets in training camp practices. Per Sal Pal, the Pats are relying heavily on rookies like Aaron Dobson, in addition to Kenbrell Thompkins and Josh Boyce. All three have seen significant first-team reps opposite Danny Amendola. It's a reminder that the Patriots are very much willing to morph their offense to fit their personnel, and no longer is their personnel strong at tight end. Dobson and Thompkins are better fantasy sleepers than Jake Ballard and Michael Hoomanawanui.

On the first day of full-squad Patriots camp Friday, second-round pick Aaron Dobson worked with the first-team offense in three-receiver sets. Fellow rookie Josh Boyce was on the second team, quarterbacked by Ryan Mallett. Dobson appears to have already passed Molasses Mike Jenkins, and on Friday practiced opposite Danny Amendola, "seeing time both on the outside and in the slot." Dobson secured deep ball throws from both Tom Brady and Mallett. The 59th overall pick in April's draft, Dobson is shaping up as a likely starter in New England and fantasy value pick at his current 11th-round ADP.

ESPN Boston expects second-round WR Aaron Dobson to be given "every chance to seize" the starting X receiver job.

Patriots signed second-round WR Aaron Dobson to a four-year contract.