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ItsGonnaBeMaye
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Drake Maye is literally already the best QB in the AFC East by a wide margin.
If you disagree with this, you are likely an overweight behemoth with more chins than braincells.
If you disagree with this, you are likely an overweight behemoth with more chins than braincells.
Sometimes, numbers tell the story. Other times, numbers can be misleading.
This spring, we saw Drake Maye practice five times against his defensive counterparts. Between OTAs and minicamp, the rookie showed rapid improvement and will head into training camp as the star of the show for the Patriots.
In each practice, MassLive took notes on every pass Maye attempted during full-team drills. These drills were split between 11-on-11 and 7-on-7s. These periods had no contract, no blocking, and no tackling. Of course, quarterbacks were donning red jerseys and couldn’t be touched.
As minicamp wrapped up this week, Maye came away looking like the best quarterback on the field. However, there is context since the rookie was practicing against the second-team defense. It was also clear that Brissett was operating from a fuller playbook and things were dialed back and made simpler for Maye.
However, Maye’s final state line of the spring is impressive. He finished five practices completing 73% (56-of-77) of his passes in team drills. The quarterback also had three interceptions.
Brissett finished completing 59% of his passes (54-of-92) with no interceptions. The veteran struggled at times against the Patriots starting defense. His zero turnovers were a plus, however, historically, quarterbacks complete around 70% of their passes in these drills.
Other than Maye, that wasn’t the case for the Patriots this spring in OTAs and minicamp. That’s why there are several reasons to be optimistic about this first-round pick.
Again, these numbers deserve context. Maye wasn’t always going against a defense that had projected starters on the field. Sacks also weren’t allowed. That’s why ‘passing stats’ need to be taken with a grain of salt.
Comparatively speaking, however, Maye’s numbers compared to previous Patriots rookies are impressive.
In 2022, Zappe completed 67% (22-of-33) of his passes between four days of OTAS to go with two interceptions.
In 2021, Mac Jones completed 66% (57-of-87) of his passes with three interceptions during his rookie OTAs and minicamp.
To find a rookie quarterback with a better completion percentage in the spring (again grain of salt), you need to go to the 2016 offseason. That spring saw a then-rookie Brissett complete 75% (69-of-92) of his passes with two interceptions.
Of course, a difference there was that Brissett was taking third-team reps behind Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. In case you’re wondering, Brady completed 78% (88-of-113) with one interception during that spring. Garoppolo was at 76% (88-of-116) with three interceptions in 2016.
As minicamp went on last week, it was notable that Maye kept throwing to Kayshon Boutte in the red zone.
The second-year receiver finished this spring as the Patriots leading receiver with 14 receptions in team drills during five practices. When Maye was on the field, Boutte led all pass catchers with seven receptions. He hauled in four more passes from Brissett, two with Zappe, and one from Milton.
Boutte and Ja’Lynn Polk were the only receivers to catch passes from all four quarterbacks this spring.
Boutte tied for the team lead in reception with running back JaMychal Hasty. The running back caught 14 passes during five open practices. He caught six passes from Maye and four each from Brissett and Zappe.
Demario Douglas (10 catches) and K.J. Osborn (nine catches) also stuck out with multiple different quarterbacks.
When Brissett was on the field, he had two favorite targets – Rhamondre Stevenson and Hunter Henry. Each player caught seven passes.
At tight end, the biggest surprise was La’Michael Pettway. He led all tight ends with eight receptions this spring. Seventh-round pick Jaheim Bell was right behind him with seven catches.
When Brissett was on the field, his favorite tight ends were Henry (seven catches), Austin Hooper (five catches), and Pettway (three catches).
This spring, we saw Drake Maye practice five times against his defensive counterparts. Between OTAs and minicamp, the rookie showed rapid improvement and will head into training camp as the star of the show for the Patriots.
In each practice, MassLive took notes on every pass Maye attempted during full-team drills. These drills were split between 11-on-11 and 7-on-7s. These periods had no contract, no blocking, and no tackling. Of course, quarterbacks were donning red jerseys and couldn’t be touched.
As minicamp wrapped up this week, Maye came away looking like the best quarterback on the field. However, there is context since the rookie was practicing against the second-team defense. It was also clear that Brissett was operating from a fuller playbook and things were dialed back and made simpler for Maye.
However, Maye’s final state line of the spring is impressive. He finished five practices completing 73% (56-of-77) of his passes in team drills. The quarterback also had three interceptions.
Brissett finished completing 59% of his passes (54-of-92) with no interceptions. The veteran struggled at times against the Patriots starting defense. His zero turnovers were a plus, however, historically, quarterbacks complete around 70% of their passes in these drills.
Other than Maye, that wasn’t the case for the Patriots this spring in OTAs and minicamp. That’s why there are several reasons to be optimistic about this first-round pick.
| Comp | Att | % | INT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Maye | 56 | 77 | 73% | 3 |
| Jacoby Brissett | 54 | 92 | 59% | 0 |
| Bailey Zappe | 26 | 44 | 55% | 2 |
| Joe Milton III | 13 | 21 | 62% | 0 |
How Drake Maye compared to past Patriots rookies
The Patriots rotated four quarterbacks over the last two months. Maye led everyone in completion percentage. Bailey Zappe completed 55% of his passes (26-of-44) with two interceptions. Joe Milton III finished at 62% (13-of-21) with limited reps.Again, these numbers deserve context. Maye wasn’t always going against a defense that had projected starters on the field. Sacks also weren’t allowed. That’s why ‘passing stats’ need to be taken with a grain of salt.
Comparatively speaking, however, Maye’s numbers compared to previous Patriots rookies are impressive.
In 2022, Zappe completed 67% (22-of-33) of his passes between four days of OTAS to go with two interceptions.
In 2021, Mac Jones completed 66% (57-of-87) of his passes with three interceptions during his rookie OTAs and minicamp.
To find a rookie quarterback with a better completion percentage in the spring (again grain of salt), you need to go to the 2016 offseason. That spring saw a then-rookie Brissett complete 75% (69-of-92) of his passes with two interceptions.
Of course, a difference there was that Brissett was taking third-team reps behind Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. In case you’re wondering, Brady completed 78% (88-of-113) with one interception during that spring. Garoppolo was at 76% (88-of-116) with three interceptions in 2016.
| Rookie QBs | Comp | Att | % | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Maye (’24) | 56 | 77 | 73% | 3 |
| Bailey Zappe (’22) | 22 | 33 | 67% | 2 |
| Mac Jones (’21) | 57 | 87 | 66% | 3 |
| Jacoby Brissett (’16) | 69 | 92 | 75% | 2 |
Patriots had a surprise standout WR
This spring also saw the emergence of a surprise standout on offense.As minicamp went on last week, it was notable that Maye kept throwing to Kayshon Boutte in the red zone.
The second-year receiver finished this spring as the Patriots leading receiver with 14 receptions in team drills during five practices. When Maye was on the field, Boutte led all pass catchers with seven receptions. He hauled in four more passes from Brissett, two with Zappe, and one from Milton.
Boutte and Ja’Lynn Polk were the only receivers to catch passes from all four quarterbacks this spring.
Boutte tied for the team lead in reception with running back JaMychal Hasty. The running back caught 14 passes during five open practices. He caught six passes from Maye and four each from Brissett and Zappe.
Demario Douglas (10 catches) and K.J. Osborn (nine catches) also stuck out with multiple different quarterbacks.
When Brissett was on the field, he had two favorite targets – Rhamondre Stevenson and Hunter Henry. Each player caught seven passes.
At tight end, the biggest surprise was La’Michael Pettway. He led all tight ends with eight receptions this spring. Seventh-round pick Jaheim Bell was right behind him with seven catches.
When Brissett was on the field, his favorite tight ends were Henry (seven catches), Austin Hooper (five catches), and Pettway (three catches).
| Rec | |
|---|---|
| Kayshon Boutte | 14 |
| JaMychal Hasty | 14 |
| DeMario Douglas | 10 |
| K.J. Osborn | 9 |
The New England Patriots announced they are waiving rookie guard/center Ryan Johnson on Monday.
It’s a tough break for Johnson, who was always considered a long shot to make the roster. He was likely hoping to have the opportunity to compete for a roster spot at training camp, but now, that chance in New England has gone up in smoke.
The Patriots are even more crowded at the guard position than they were before mandatory minicamp. Mike Onwenu, who was originally slated to play right tackle, was seen back at right guard taking reps.
He could be joining the likes of rookie Layden Robinson, Sidy Sow, Atonio Mafi, Nick Leverett and Michael Jordan as an interior blocker. Cole Strange is out with a knee injury, but there is a chance he will return at some point as well.
It was always going to be an uphill battle for Johnson, a former undrafted rookie free agent out of Youngstown State. The Patriots now have an open roster spot with plenty of options to fill it.
It’s a tough break for Johnson, who was always considered a long shot to make the roster. He was likely hoping to have the opportunity to compete for a roster spot at training camp, but now, that chance in New England has gone up in smoke.
The Patriots are even more crowded at the guard position than they were before mandatory minicamp. Mike Onwenu, who was originally slated to play right tackle, was seen back at right guard taking reps.
He could be joining the likes of rookie Layden Robinson, Sidy Sow, Atonio Mafi, Nick Leverett and Michael Jordan as an interior blocker. Cole Strange is out with a knee injury, but there is a chance he will return at some point as well.
It was always going to be an uphill battle for Johnson, a former undrafted rookie free agent out of Youngstown State. The Patriots now have an open roster spot with plenty of options to fill it.
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said the New England Patriots got what they needed from the spring practices. They went through the new schemes taught by new coaches twice — at organized team activities and minicamp. That, he hinted, should set up the team to be ready to go from the start of training camp.
But those spring practices also offered a first glimpse at how the depth chart might look, even if head coach Jerod Mayo insisted there’s no such thing this early in the process.
Still, that doesn’t stop us from looking ahead.
So with the Patriots having wrapped up their offseason program with last week’s minicamp and looking ahead to the quietest six weeks on the NFL calendar (with nothing planned until training camp in late July), let’s project what the 53-man roster could look like come cutdown day.
Out: Bailey Zappe
No surprises here. Even Zappe must know his days with the Patriots are probably limited. Mayo said he’s fine bringing four quarterbacks to training camp, but it might be hard for the Pats to get Milton onto the practice squad, so Zappe is probably the odd man out. Also, while Maye had some fine moments in spring practices, Brissett is clearly the starter entering camp. It seems like it would take an outstanding training camp performance for Maye to overtake him to become the starter in Week 1.
Out: DeShaun Fenwick, Terrell Jennings
Stevenson seems poised for a monster year if he can stay healthy. He and DeMario Douglas consistently seem like the best offensive players on the field, and this new scheme often sticks with the running game, so look for big numbers from Stevenson. Gibson should have more of a third-down role, while Harris, Hasty, Fenwick and Jennings battle for bottom-of-the-roster jobs.
Out: Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, T.J. Luther, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis
This is where we’ll see the most intriguing roster competition of training camp. The first four listed will all safely make the team. Osborn is probably safe, too. Some teams are content carrying five receivers, but my guess is the Pats will take six. So do you go with Smith-Schuster’s veteran savvy? Reagor’s ability on kickoff returns amid the rule changes? Thornton’s speed? Boutte’s upside (he caught three touchdowns at Wednesday’s final minicamp session)? Or will one of the young players show out in camp? For now, we’ll give the slightest of nods to Smith-Schuster over Reagor only because several other players (including Polk) looked good as kickoff returners in practice — and if Reagor isn’t returning kicks, he probably won’t have a spot on the roster.
View: https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1800942027414048933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1800942027414048933%7Ctwgr%5Eb04f9f32570f3fc9d55208d4307e9df7ddd3ce4c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fathletic%2F5559439%2F2024%2F06%2F17%2Fpatriots-53-man-roster-projection-7%2F
Out: Jaheim Bell, La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren
There will be a wide-open competition for the Patriots’ No. 3 tight end job in an offense that should use heavy formations more than other teams. We’ve only seen a few practices, but Wilcox has made the most of them with some impressive grabs in traffic, including one during minicamp in the back of the end zone that led to a unit-wide celebration. He gets the nod for now.
Out: Michael Jordan, Jake Andrews, Vederian Lowe, Tyrone Wheatley, Nick Leverett, Zuri Henry, Charles Turner, Ryan Johnson
Strange’s injury could mean the Patriots will carry an extra interior lineman — either Jordan or Jake Andrews. But for now, we’ll bank on him being healthy by Week 1. The Patriots have tried a few combinations on the offensive line, including one with Onwenu at guard while Robinson and Wallace play tackle. That doesn’t seem like a long-term move, but it’s noteworthy nonetheless. Sow and David Andrews seem to have locked down two of the interior line spots, but who knows what’ll happen if Strange isn’t healthy by September. And it’s been difficult to evaluate the competition at left tackle between Okorafor and Wallace since players don’t wear pads during spring practices.
Out: Sam Roberts, Trysten Hill, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., John Morgan III, Jotham Russell
The New England defense was consistently better than the offense this spring (again no surprise), and that started up front — though, again, it’s hard to put too much stock into the trenches when neither side is wearing pads. Still, Barmore looked great, while White seems to have improved from his rookie season. Judon’s status will be one to follow after he skipped OTAs amid a perceived desire to redo his contract. The same goes for Godchaux who was absent for on-field work and wants a re-worked contract, according to Mayo.
Out: Joe Giles-Harris, Jontrey Hunter, Jett Bush, Oshane Ximines, Steele Chambers
This is more linebackers than you’d typically want to keep in this matchup-based defense, but the thinking here is that linebackers could be especially valuable in the new kickoff format. It wouldn’t be a surprise either if Giles-Harris played his way onto the roster (especially since Takitaki was absent from a few spring practices). For now, this has turned into a position of strength for the Patriots.
Out: Shaun Wade, Azizi Hearn, Marco Wilson, Mikey Victor, Kaleb Ford-Dement
There are two ways of looking at the spring from the Patriots’ perspective. The negative outlook is that Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones didn’t participate much, which is potentially worrying given Gonzalez’s recovery from shoulder surgery and Jones’ return from an ankle procedure. On the other hand, that gave more opportunities to players like Austin and Bolden, who both made strong impressions. Bolden lined up at multiple spots and “should be a demon on special teams,” Mayo said.
View: https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1800967643387560048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1800967643387560048%7Ctwgr%5Eb04f9f32570f3fc9d55208d4307e9df7ddd3ce4c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fathletic%2F5559439%2F2024%2F06%2F17%2Fpatriots-53-man-roster-projection-7%2F
Out: Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus
The downside to keeping all those linebackers and cornerbacks is only keeping three safeties. But with the position flexibility of Mapu and Bolden, that isn’t concerning. Dugger and Peppers are very good and should form one of the better safety duos in the league. But the Pats need them to stay healthy because the depth here isn’t great.
Out: Joey Slye
At the spring practices open to reporters, there weren’t many field goal attempts, which makes this kind of a coin flip between Ryland and Slye at kicker. For now, we’ll go with Ryland, a fourth-round pick last year, after the compliments he received from new special teams coach Jeremy Springer, who worked out Ryland before the draft.
But those spring practices also offered a first glimpse at how the depth chart might look, even if head coach Jerod Mayo insisted there’s no such thing this early in the process.
Still, that doesn’t stop us from looking ahead.
So with the Patriots having wrapped up their offseason program with last week’s minicamp and looking ahead to the quietest six weeks on the NFL calendar (with nothing planned until training camp in late July), let’s project what the 53-man roster could look like come cutdown day.
Quarterbacks
In: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe MiltonOut: Bailey Zappe
No surprises here. Even Zappe must know his days with the Patriots are probably limited. Mayo said he’s fine bringing four quarterbacks to training camp, but it might be hard for the Pats to get Milton onto the practice squad, so Zappe is probably the odd man out. Also, while Maye had some fine moments in spring practices, Brissett is clearly the starter entering camp. It seems like it would take an outstanding training camp performance for Maye to overtake him to become the starter in Week 1.
Running backs
In: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, JaMycal HastyOut: DeShaun Fenwick, Terrell Jennings
Stevenson seems poised for a monster year if he can stay healthy. He and DeMario Douglas consistently seem like the best offensive players on the field, and this new scheme often sticks with the running game, so look for big numbers from Stevenson. Gibson should have more of a third-down role, while Harris, Hasty, Fenwick and Jennings battle for bottom-of-the-roster jobs.
Wide receivers
In: Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk, DeMario Douglas, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborn, JuJu Smith-SchusterOut: Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, T.J. Luther, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis
This is where we’ll see the most intriguing roster competition of training camp. The first four listed will all safely make the team. Osborn is probably safe, too. Some teams are content carrying five receivers, but my guess is the Pats will take six. So do you go with Smith-Schuster’s veteran savvy? Reagor’s ability on kickoff returns amid the rule changes? Thornton’s speed? Boutte’s upside (he caught three touchdowns at Wednesday’s final minicamp session)? Or will one of the young players show out in camp? For now, we’ll give the slightest of nods to Smith-Schuster over Reagor only because several other players (including Polk) looked good as kickoff returners in practice — and if Reagor isn’t returning kicks, he probably won’t have a spot on the roster.
View: https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1800942027414048933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1800942027414048933%7Ctwgr%5Eb04f9f32570f3fc9d55208d4307e9df7ddd3ce4c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fathletic%2F5559439%2F2024%2F06%2F17%2Fpatriots-53-man-roster-projection-7%2F
Tight ends
In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Mitchell WilcoxOut: Jaheim Bell, La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren
There will be a wide-open competition for the Patriots’ No. 3 tight end job in an offense that should use heavy formations more than other teams. We’ve only seen a few practices, but Wilcox has made the most of them with some impressive grabs in traffic, including one during minicamp in the back of the end zone that led to a unit-wide celebration. He gets the nod for now.
Offensive line
In: Chukwuma Okorafor, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Mike Onwenu, Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson, Calvin Anderson, Atonio MafiOut: Michael Jordan, Jake Andrews, Vederian Lowe, Tyrone Wheatley, Nick Leverett, Zuri Henry, Charles Turner, Ryan Johnson
Strange’s injury could mean the Patriots will carry an extra interior lineman — either Jordan or Jake Andrews. But for now, we’ll bank on him being healthy by Week 1. The Patriots have tried a few combinations on the offensive line, including one with Onwenu at guard while Robinson and Wallace play tackle. That doesn’t seem like a long-term move, but it’s noteworthy nonetheless. Sow and David Andrews seem to have locked down two of the interior line spots, but who knows what’ll happen if Strange isn’t healthy by September. And it’s been difficult to evaluate the competition at left tackle between Okorafor and Wallace since players don’t wear pads during spring practices.
Defensive line
In: Matthew Judon, Joshua Uche, Keion White, Deatrich Wise Jr., Davon Godchaux, Christian Barmore, Armon Watts, Anfernee Jennings, Daniel EkualeOut: Sam Roberts, Trysten Hill, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., John Morgan III, Jotham Russell
The New England defense was consistently better than the offense this spring (again no surprise), and that started up front — though, again, it’s hard to put too much stock into the trenches when neither side is wearing pads. Still, Barmore looked great, while White seems to have improved from his rookie season. Judon’s status will be one to follow after he skipped OTAs amid a perceived desire to redo his contract. The same goes for Godchaux who was absent for on-field work and wants a re-worked contract, according to Mayo.
Linebackers
In: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Marte Mapu, Sione Takitaki, Christian Elliss, Raekwon McMillanOut: Joe Giles-Harris, Jontrey Hunter, Jett Bush, Oshane Ximines, Steele Chambers
This is more linebackers than you’d typically want to keep in this matchup-based defense, but the thinking here is that linebackers could be especially valuable in the new kickoff format. It wouldn’t be a surprise either if Giles-Harris played his way onto the roster (especially since Takitaki was absent from a few spring practices). For now, this has turned into a position of strength for the Patriots.
Cornerbacks
In: Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Marcellas Dial, Isaiah BoldenOut: Shaun Wade, Azizi Hearn, Marco Wilson, Mikey Victor, Kaleb Ford-Dement
There are two ways of looking at the spring from the Patriots’ perspective. The negative outlook is that Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones didn’t participate much, which is potentially worrying given Gonzalez’s recovery from shoulder surgery and Jones’ return from an ankle procedure. On the other hand, that gave more opportunities to players like Austin and Bolden, who both made strong impressions. Bolden lined up at multiple spots and “should be a demon on special teams,” Mayo said.
View: https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1800967643387560048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1800967643387560048%7Ctwgr%5Eb04f9f32570f3fc9d55208d4307e9df7ddd3ce4c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fathletic%2F5559439%2F2024%2F06%2F17%2Fpatriots-53-man-roster-projection-7%2F
Safeties
In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Joshua BledsoeOut: Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus
The downside to keeping all those linebackers and cornerbacks is only keeping three safeties. But with the position flexibility of Mapu and Bolden, that isn’t concerning. Dugger and Peppers are very good and should form one of the better safety duos in the league. But the Pats need them to stay healthy because the depth here isn’t great.
Specialists
In: Chad Ryland, Bryce Baringer, Joe Cardona, Brenden SchoolerOut: Joey Slye
At the spring practices open to reporters, there weren’t many field goal attempts, which makes this kind of a coin flip between Ryland and Slye at kicker. For now, we’ll go with Ryland, a fourth-round pick last year, after the compliments he received from new special teams coach Jeremy Springer, who worked out Ryland before the draft.
Meh, it’s about both. The kid’s footwork and mechanics, especially in the pocket, still need some work. Let Brissett start until either the kid is ready or Jacoby gets injured.
Not only that, but improving something mechanical when there's no pressure is not the same as maintaining the new mechanics under fire.
There was a lot of hype for former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. Maye was consistently placed right next to eventual first overall pick Caleb Williams as one of the best signal callers in the entire class, and one of the better prospects to come out in recent memory. After getting leapfrogged by Jayden Daniels in the draft, Maye might have found his perfect landing spot with the Patriots.
View: https://x.com/BellinoZee/status/1800587038699528365
Maye has reportedly looked like the clear favorite to land the starting gig early on into minicamps. While it is of course too early to project that with training camp and preseason games to be played out, it has to be a position sign for many given Maye was criticized for his NFL readiness coming out of North Carolina.
Should Maye continue his current trajectory and separate himself further from the pack, Maye could easily find himself as the starter for the Patriots in the opening game of the season.
View: https://x.com/BellinoZee/status/1800587038699528365
Maye has reportedly looked like the clear favorite to land the starting gig early on into minicamps. While it is of course too early to project that with training camp and preseason games to be played out, it has to be a position sign for many given Maye was criticized for his NFL readiness coming out of North Carolina.
Should Maye continue his current trajectory and separate himself further from the pack, Maye could easily find himself as the starter for the Patriots in the opening game of the season.
Much of the buzz about the New England Patriots’ rookie class this season will focus on third-overall pick Drake Maye. However, it’s important to remember the other acquisitions the team made in the recent draft.
The numerous picks from the 2024 NFL Draft have given the Patriots’ roster an offensive boost. With the addition of two quarterbacks, several new receivers, and two tackles, the team is showing improvement on offense after a disappointing performance last year.
Among the Patriots’ rookie players, third-round tackle Caedan Wallace might be the most intriguing to watch. Pro Football Focus has named the 24-year-old as New England’s rookie to keep an eye on this season, ahead of other prospects like Drake Maye and Ja’Lynn Polk.
With Trent Brown now playing for Cincinnati, the Patriots have a significant gap at left tackle that wasn’t addressed much during the offseason. This means someone will need to switch to that position. Considering the performance history of the other tackles, Wallace has a strong chance to fill this role. Though he may experience some initial difficulties, Wallace has the potential to grow into a solid starting left tackle for New England.
Despite some progress on offense, the Patriots’ offensive line remains a major concern, especially with uncertainties at left tackle and left guard as the season begins.
This scenario gives Wallace a prime opportunity to make an immediate impact as a potential starter on the left side. Although transitioning from playing on the right side in college to the left side in the NFL will be challenging, Wallace’s strong performance at Penn State offers hope for a successful switch.
While much attention will be on Drake Maye’s rookie season, his success will depend significantly on having proper protection. For Maye to perform well, the Patriots need at least a reliable solution at left tackle.
The offensive line’s performance will be crucial for the Patriots’ success in 2024. If Wallace can make a significant impact as a rookie, New England might exceed expectations next season.
The numerous picks from the 2024 NFL Draft have given the Patriots’ roster an offensive boost. With the addition of two quarterbacks, several new receivers, and two tackles, the team is showing improvement on offense after a disappointing performance last year.
Among the Patriots’ rookie players, third-round tackle Caedan Wallace might be the most intriguing to watch. Pro Football Focus has named the 24-year-old as New England’s rookie to keep an eye on this season, ahead of other prospects like Drake Maye and Ja’Lynn Polk.
With Trent Brown now playing for Cincinnati, the Patriots have a significant gap at left tackle that wasn’t addressed much during the offseason. This means someone will need to switch to that position. Considering the performance history of the other tackles, Wallace has a strong chance to fill this role. Though he may experience some initial difficulties, Wallace has the potential to grow into a solid starting left tackle for New England.
Despite some progress on offense, the Patriots’ offensive line remains a major concern, especially with uncertainties at left tackle and left guard as the season begins.
This scenario gives Wallace a prime opportunity to make an immediate impact as a potential starter on the left side. Although transitioning from playing on the right side in college to the left side in the NFL will be challenging, Wallace’s strong performance at Penn State offers hope for a successful switch.
While much attention will be on Drake Maye’s rookie season, his success will depend significantly on having proper protection. For Maye to perform well, the Patriots need at least a reliable solution at left tackle.
The offensive line’s performance will be crucial for the Patriots’ success in 2024. If Wallace can make a significant impact as a rookie, New England might exceed expectations next season.
