1. Further insight into Patriots QBs’ practice performances with Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett
While the No. 3 overall pick is the biggest story, Brissett will remain the starting quarterback, but as mentioned above, the gap in playing time is closing.
Brissett completed 30 competitive drills in team drills, completing 15 passes in 11-on-11 sessions and finishing with a mediocre 8 attempts. Maye completed 12 of 17 passes in team drills. Pressure was an issue for both quarterbacks, with four sacks in the drills. As Maye’s practice reps increased, the workload for Bailey Zappe (13 reps) decreased, while sixth-round rookie Joe Milton completed only six competitive drills and continued to work in “opportunity” practices.
In fairness, Brissett isn’t bad. He’s facing a great defense with no weapons or a stable line. In a two-minute drill at the end of practice, he was the only quarterback to lead a scoring drive, slant-passing to Jalen Reagoa for a 48-yard field goal as time expired. Still, like the rest of the first-team offensive line, Brissett isn’t a difference-maker.
As for Maye, the highlight was his off-platform pass to Polk on a cross pass. But he also threaded the eye of the needle on TE Jaheim Bell on a 7-on-7 in the red zone. It was a staple seam shot on Maye’s UNC tape. He had moments of inaccuracy, which came on a corner route to TE Mitchell Wilcox in the end zone. Still, while he has the athleticism, Maye gets his eyes in the right places and makes the play on time.
Milton’s accuracy downfield was a rollercoaster. He threw his second-best pass of the day on a deep out to newly signed receiver Jaquai Jackson, where he threw a hard pass deep that showcased the improved arm talent the Patriots added to their quarterback corps when they drafted Maye and Milton in April. But he also threw the pass well over the mark for an incomplete pass.
Zappe struggled at the end, completing just 1 of 4 attempts and allowing an interception-6 on an 11-on-11 pass thrown over the middle by safety Kyle Dugger. Zappe threw some great passes in the seventh, but it wasn’t his best day.
Overall, Maye wins, and while there’s a lot to consider regarding the starter in Week 1, it looks like Maye is ahead of schedule.
2. The Patriots are experimenting with different top offensive line combinations.
The other big development came on the offensive line, which continues to have its ups and downs during practices without pads.
At this time in the offseason, the emphasis is on the mental rather than the physical. The offensive line, with minimal contact, is guarding opponents with blocks in air quotes. Think Celtics, like sliding your feet to stay in front of Luka Doncic rather than finishing the block with your hand in the defender’s chest. Still, the pocket is shaky for Brissett and Maye, as in one example, LB/S Marte Mapu ran through unblocked, effectively ending Maye’s two-minute drive.
It’s notable that Mike Onwenu slid to right guard with rookie Kaidan Wallace at right tackle as the team seeks a “best five” along the offensive line. The Patriots’ vision was for Onwenu to stay at right tackle and for Wallace, the 68th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, to move to left tackle alongside projected starter Chucks Okorafor.
Wallace performed better than expected on the right side in OTAs and minicamp, but I’ve consistently said the Patriots’ best starting five is the one we saw at times in practice on Monday: LT Chucks Okorafor, LG Sidi Sow, C David Andrews, RG Mike Onwenu and RT Keidan Wallace. The other combination was with Onwenu at right tackle and veteran Nick Leverett at right guard.
Ultimately, this group needs to perform better with the pads on, but the coaching staff is at least considering sliding Onwenu inside to make room for Wallace in the starting lineup.
3. Rookie WR Jalyn Polk has an impressive first spring performance.
My first impression of second-round pick Jalyn Polk is that he’s patient when it comes to making standout plays in practice. Polk is a physical player who gets the ball downfield, similar to Jakobi Myers, who wasn’t a big player in practice during his time with the Patriots. Myers and maybe someone like Polk are real football players, not just stars in shorts and a T-shirt.
There were more flashes of brilliance from Polk in practice on Monday. First, Polk made a touchdown catch while evading a tough defender in the back of the end zone and through contact. Brissett also sped out to him and the highlight of May’s practice was a pass to his draft classmate. Fellow rookie Javon Baker was limited in participation, so it was encouraging to see Polk in action.
4. Tight end stock trends: Henry and Bell’s stocks are rising, Hooper’s stock is falling
The Patriots’ tight ends will be a big part of the success of the offense given how Coach Van Pelt plans to utilize them. An early look at the position group continues to see Hunter Henry leading the way. Henry has been the go-to guy among the Patriots’ quarterbacks, finding the weakness in zone coverage twice and scoring a quick slant pass up the middle for the win.
Along with Henry, seventh-round pick Jaheim Bell is also starting to find his footing. Bell caught a perfectly placed rocket pass from Mayet for six points. Bell’s speed down the seam has become more apparent with each practice. Hooper has struggled to get separation at times, but he will likely be more of a blocker than a receiver in the run game.
It’s still early, but Bell could be a Day 3 talent. He’s versatile and athletic. He’s an intriguing player.
5. Bubble wide receivers continue to fight for roster spots
The Patriots’ wide receiver roster bubble appears to consist of five players: JuJu Smith-Schuster, KJ Osborne, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor and Kashon Boutte.
Contract-wise, Osborn and Smith-Schuster are paid veterans and will be here. But if it’s all based on performance, maybe not. Leah Gore has emerged as a catch-and-run threat as the backside X receiver in the formation. The Patriots QB passed to Leah Gore three times on Monday on shallow crossing passes with room to run, while Boutte made some plays in the red zone.
Thornton’s day has been a rollercoaster at every practice. He started off with a bad drop that saw him sit between two zone defenders. Then he got in sync with Brissett and ran the post when he was supposed to break to the corner. Thornton made two catches on the outside, one short and one on a deep break, but it was a see-saw game with Tyquan.
Depending on Kendrick Bourne’s timeline for recovery from a torn ACL, they could have a couple of wide receiver spots open (Douglas, Polk and Baker are sure bets), with Osborn, Smith-Schuster and Reagor likely as potential candidates, but JuJu could also be traded.