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One of the best and most comprehensive features we offer every year is our Footballguys Preseason Updates. Every week this month, Bob Henry, Jason Wood, Clayton Gray, and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's 32-plus pages of some of the most comprehensive coverage you'll find. It's probably worth the Footballguys Premium Subscription by itself.
Updates from Week 4
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
The Patriots are taking a cautious approach with their rookie quarterback, Drake Maye. While teams like Chicago and Washington have already named their rookie quarterbacks as starters, Head Coach Jerod Mayo is sticking to his plan. Maye closed the preseason with a solid performance, completing 13-of-20 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown, with another 48-yard score negated by a penalty. After the game, Mayo emphasized that Maye is "our second-best quarterback on our roster right now," but he assured the media that Jacoby Brissett’s shoulder injury won't keep him out of action. Brissett is a known commodity, and Mayo is not incentivized to start Maye immediately. MassLive’s Mark Daniels supports this plan, noting that the 2024 Patriots aren’t ready to support a rookie quarterback.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
There were no surprises in the backfield during the preseason. Rhamondre Stevenson will be the lead back, with new Patriot Antonio Gibson contributing on third downs. Stevenson appears excited about the zone-running scheme, which should increase his breakaway chances. Gibson started in Sunday’s preseason finale but left the game early, leaving no concerns about his role. NBC Boston’s Phil Perry noted that reserves Kevin Harris and JaMychal Hasty showed diverse skill sets against the Commanders, but one or both could likely be stashed on the practice squad.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
The Patriots are still awaiting the return of top receiver Kendrick Bourne from a knee injury, but there’s enough depth to hold down the fort. The question is how the pieces will fit together and who will see the most targets when the games matter. Bourne will start as soon as he’s ready, likely across from impressive rookie Ja’Lynn Polk, with DeMario Douglas in the slot. NBC Boston’s Phil Perry noted that Polk has excelled in camp but continues to get the "Drake Maye treatment," forced onto the second team while lower-upside veterans like K.J. Osborn start. Perry calls Polk “maybe the second-best receiver on this roster right now” and would like to see him get more opportunities. Rookie Javon Baker, who opened camp to gushing praise, has reportedly fallen off and considers his overall performance just “OK… not to my standard.” Baker has been listed with the fours throughout the preseason, which could mean he’s battling special teams specialist Jalen Reagor for a roster spot. Reagor is likely fighting Kayshon Boutte for the final roster spot, while Tyquan Thornton looks safe as a rotational piece on the outside.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
The backup tight end spot is suddenly relevant in New England, as veteran starter Hunter Henry may not be ready for Week 1. Coach Mayo said, “I wouldn’t say it’s in doubt… I think he’ll be there,” but the Patriots are notoriously cagey about injuries, so Henry’s status remains uncertain. An offense lacking firepower could use Henry’s sure hands over the middle. Rookie Jaheim Bell might help fill the void now and in the future. Mayo praised Bell’s “unique skill set” last week while Bell practiced with the first team. If Henry can’t go, Austin Hooper would start in his place, but Hooper’s upside is limited, while Bell was dynamic in a Deebo Samuel-like role in college. The Athletic’s Chad Graff noted that Bell failed to distinguish himself in the preseason and considers him a coin flip to make the final roster.
Preseason Updates: Kickers
Joey Slye missed two field goals in the preseason finale against Washington, but they were from 54 and 60 yards. Chad Ryland, the Patriots’ 2023 fourth-round pick, made a 38-yard field goal attempt and an extra point, but his performance in camp was inconsistent, going 3-for-7 from 50+ yards. Slye, on the other hand, was 8-for-9 from long-range during camp. The kickers were nearly equal from under 50 yards, so distance accuracy might be the tiebreaker if the Patriots don't decide to explore other options after neither kicker managed over 80% accuracy on field goals this summer.
Preseason Updates: Defense
While the team is rebuilding on offense, their defense, selected by Bill Belichick, is expected to remain strong and keep games low-scoring. If health isn’t an issue, they won’t have to worry about depth in the secondary. Few teams are as stacked with talent in the back end, and final cuts may be difficult. The Athletic’s Chad Graff pointed out that the team has three solid starting cornerbacks and “excellent depth” at the position, with safety “probably the strongest position” on the roster. Christian Gonzalez, who took a superstar turn as a rookie before hitting IR, and the duo of Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers remain the heart of the defense.
Preseason Updates: Returners
New England typically finds itself with a glut of quality returners, and 2024 looks to be no exception, with Jalen Reagor, Antonio Gibson, Demario Douglas, and Marcus Jones all slated to make the final 53-man roster.
Updates from Week 3
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Throughout the preseason, new coach Jerod Mayo has staunchly kept journeyman Jacoby Brissett atop the depth chart as the “most pro-ready” option. Has that been mere coach speak, designed to motivate top pick Drake Maye to seize the starting role? Patriots.com’s Evan Lazar believes Maye has established himself as “the best option at quarterback” but stops short of predicting a takeover. “In particular, the third-overall pick brings a dynamic playmaking ability that the offense desperately needs,” Lazar observes, although “it’s debatable whether he has lit it up enough to be the Week 1 starter.” Brissett’s quiet preseason speaks to his middle-of-the-road upside, while Maye showcased his arm and athleticism against the Eagles. He made plays over the middle and on the run, and it’s growing harder to see the benefit of waiting it out.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Perhaps the Patriots have Bill Belichick-caliber tricks up their sleeves, and when the regular season arrives, we’ll see their real plan for running more effectively than in 2023 (3.9 yards per rush, 25th in the league). We’ve yet to see much evidence in the preseason, with Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson combining for just 41 yards on their 15 carries. Those two should dominate the regular-season backfield, and while it’s not necessary, the fantasy world would feel much better seeing some dynamism before Week 1. Gibson has appeared stuck in mud in live action (8 rushes, 12 yards). NBC Boston’s Phil Perry figures the team will “value hard-charging runners” as Mayo’s career kicks off and that Kevin Harris should have that role sewn up. Perry also wonders if JaMychal Hasty is destined to make his third NFL roster.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
The receiver room is no less cluttered than it was in last year’s camp (or the prior year’s). Still, long on bodies but short on dynamism, it’s hard to see where the downfield game-breaking will come from in 2024. The depth chart is scattered with slot specialists like K.J. Osborn and Demario Douglas, with intriguing rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker flashing throughout camp. It gets even harder to project when we factor in Jalen Reagor’s special-teams value and Tyquan Thornton’s 2022 draft stock. Of course, Thornton was drafted by the prior regime, and Mayo has no ties to that questionable pick. Thornton failed to draw a target over nine snaps against Philadelphia, and he’s drawn very little ink in camp reports. He’s indeed “getting dangerously close to bust territory,” and there’s no guarantee he will crack the Week 1 rotation. Osborn and Douglas look like the safest bets for targets, as they’ll operate mostly underneath for Brissett or Maye. But the team is desperate for Polk and/or Baker to develop as downfield weapons. Maye boasts the arm strength to push the ball, so one or both are needed to take advantage. CBS Boston’s Tyler Sullivan called Polk “New England’s best receiver” after the first week. “Whether it's been on shorter routes within the confines of the red zone or deep 50/50 balls during competitive drills outside of that area, Polk has shown up in a major way.”
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
The Patriots are loaded with veteran depth at tight end, with Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper bringing a combined 693 NFL receptions. Unfortunately, both were sidelined last week with injuries, leaving the position mainly to Mitchell Wilcox and seventh-round rookie Jaheim Bell. Henry is expected back shortly, but his injury history is well-known, so the loss of Hooper could be felt. Perhaps Bell, who once drew a stunning Deebo Samuel comparison from Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy, can make a dent in his absence.
Preseason Updates: Kickers
Veteran Joey Slye made 2 of 2 field goal attempts, including one from 51 yards, while 2023 fourth-round pick Chad Ryland made his only attempt, an extra point. During Sunday’s practice, Slye went 4 of 4 on field goal attempts—all between 44 and 55 yards—while Ryland only went 3 of 5 from the same range. This gave Slye a slight edge in the statistical kicking battle in camp, making 33 of his 39 attempts to Ryland’s 32 of 39. Most see Slye in the lead, but whichever kicker loses will be of interest to any team looking for a different option.
Preseason Updates: Defense
“If the Patriots are tanking,” MassLive’s Karen Guregian declared after the Matthew Judon trade, “that’s news to the defense.” Judon, arguably the Patriots’ best and most important player, was dealt to Atlanta last week, signaling a genuine shift in Patriots culture. That trade, plus the loss of tackle Christian Barmore, completely launches the defense from the present into the future. But Guregian notes that the remaining defenders aren’t waving a white flag. They’re not happy, and they had publicly lobbied the front office to offer Judon a deal. Still, there’s “a really good defense” left in place, tackle Davon Godchaux figures. “We’re still going to be a top 10 defense, hopefully top 5. I believe in the guys here.”
Preseason Updates: Offensive Lines
This group has two quality starters in center David Andrews and right guard/right tackle Mike Onwenu. Onwenu, especially, is a people mover. The tackle situation is unsettled. Right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor has arrived from Pittsburgh, and third-year left tackle Vederian Lowe (2022 Round 6 – Illinois) has the lead over rookie Caedan Wallace (Round 3 – Penn State) on the other side. Wallace is the better athlete but only played right tackle in college. Meanwhile, Lowe started eight games for the Patriots last year. With Cole Strange on indefinite PUP (knee), Sidy Sow is at left guard. This group might struggle, ranking 28th overall.
Updates from Week 2
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
A corner may have been turned for prized rookie Drake Maye just one week after doomsday headlines cast doubt on his development. CBS Sports’ Shanna McCarriston noted, “A big change I've seen is his ability to get the ball out quicker,” after observing an up-and-down Tuesday practice that showed more promise than concern. “He had some passes in the past that could've been completions, had he released the ball just slightly sooner, so it's clear he's been working on that element of his game.” The improvement was evident enough for onlookers to start a “Start Drake Maye” chant, a level of excitement that Mac Jones never quite inspired.
Despite Maye's progress, veteran Jacoby Brissett remains the clear and unquestioned starter. The current drama centers on whether Maye can cleanly take the No. 2 job from Bailey Zappe. The most likely scenario for Maye to see rookie starts would involve the Patriots having an early-season losing streak. Maye is almost certainly ahead of Joe Milton in the pecking order—despite Milton’s strong camp and preseason performances—but still trails Zappe.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
The backfield looks set entering the preseason, with Rhamondre Stevenson leading Antonio Gibson in a committee approach. Stevenson touched the ball once in the opener; he has nothing to prove after a $36 million contract extension. For his part, Gibson’s three-year deal suggests he’ll carve out a consistent role as a receiver on obvious passing downs. Gibson fumbled too often and struggled between the tackles in Washington, and Stevenson caught the ball quite well himself. Terrell Jennings could push Kevin Harris for the No. 3 spot. Harris had 22 yards and a touchdown on eight carries against the Panthers. Jennings was more efficient (six carries for 38 yards), but that’s not necessarily indicative of a change on the depth chart.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
The receiver room has entered camp in disarray for the fifth straight year. JuJu Smith-Schuster has been released, Kendrick Bourne remains on the PUP list, and San Francisco’s Brandon Aiyuk reportedly turned down a trade. Tyquan Thornton has received intermittent praise, but that’s nothing new.
There is, however, optimism around key rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, both of whom have shown flashes of potential. Pats Pulpit’s Bernd Buchmasser noted last week that Polk “might have been the most consistent pass-catcher in the team’s arsenal” through the first two weeks of camp. In the preseason opener, both rookies were used near the line of scrimmage, combining for five catches and 25 yards. Polk, who was a legitimate deep threat in college with an average of 16.8 yards per catch over his last two years at Washington, could push DeMario Douglas and bring much-needed upside to this struggling unit.
Kayshon Boutte remains a wild card, as he still faces potential discipline for last year’s gambling charges. Meanwhile, CLNS’ Taylor Kyles suggested that veteran K.J. Osborn could become one of the team’s most targeted receivers.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
Bill Belichick is gone, but his dream of a dependable, every-down, two-tight-end set lives on. Camp practices tell us that 12-personnel sets remain an important part of the game plan, and Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are dominating the snaps. New coordinator Alex Van Pelt mixed in 12- and 13-personnel sets routinely when he was with the Browns – where they threw unabashedly to David Njoku last year. Henry, as usual, has drawn glowing camp reports as an oversized slot target up the seams.
Preseason Updates: Kickers
The Patriots gave both kickers a shot in the first preseason game, and both of them delivered. Veteran Joey Slye made his field goal attempt from 42 yards, while 2023 fourth-round pick Chad Ryland made both extra-point attempts. In camp, Ryland has made 28 of 33 field goal tries, while Slye has made 27 of 33. However, Ryland missed twice in Sunday’s practice (from 48 and 52 yards), keeping the competition very much alive.
Preseason Updates: Defense
By virtually all accounts, the defense keeps consistently “winning” and “dominating” daily camp practices. That’s no real surprise, given the talent-starved, in-transition state of the offense. Still, it’s encouraging to see the Belichick model of a deep front seven and a complementary secondary remaining in play. Defensive lineman Christian Barmore is out indefinitely after a breakout 2023 season, making these camp showings even more impressive. Perhaps the bright spot thus far has been linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, who’s developing into a playmaker against the pass.
Preseason Updates: Returners
New head coach Jerod Mayo has continued Bill Belichick’s habit of collecting return specialists, adding Antonio Gibson to a roster that already includes Demario Douglas, Marcus Jones, and Jalen Reagor. Jones is the best punt returner, provided he’s healthy and not needed on defense, with Douglas as the backup. Both Reagor and Gibson should factor in on kickoffs.
Updates from Week 1
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's What You Need To Know From Every Team This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
It’s difficult to know how much, if anything, to make of trusted beat writer Ben Volin’s report: “I’ll say it: Joe Milton III has outplayed Drake Maye through six practices.” Maye, of course, was the No. 3 overall pick and presumed to be the franchise cornerstone, while Milton was a sixth-round project who spent most of college as a backup. Most likely, Volin’s quote was more about praise for Milton than a depth chart proclamation. Milton, a cannon-armed 24-year-old, has impressed but remains a raw reclamation play. As for Maye, it’s a bit concerning that new coach Jerod Mayo has kept him buried in the pecking order since OTAs. Veteran Jacoby Brissett will almost certainly start the season under center, and there doesn’t seem to be much eagerness to plug in the decorated rookie. “[Maye] will have an opportunity to go out there and participate with, if you want to call them, ‘The Ones,’” Mayo told the media last week. “…I will say this: he’s handled it very well.”
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
By most accounts, lead back Rhamondre Stevenson is healthy and "putting it all together" in his fourth camp. He seems thrilled with the offense's new direction, featuring an outside zone running scheme that Stevenson rode to his Cotton Bowl MVP award at Oklahoma. "It’s my favorite scheme, to be honest with you," he said at the start of camp. "Outside zones, that’s what I like and that’s what we’re running." This should improve the pitiful ground game of 2023, which too often asked Stevenson and his teammates to merely smash into stacked lines. Ex-Commander Antonio Gibson looks, at least on paper, like an ideal pass-catching counterpart, but that’s a shaky proposition. Gibson produced less and less each year in Washington while battling injuries, inconsistency, and fumble issues. Stevenson, who caught 69 balls in 2022, is a fine receiver in his own right. It’s entirely possible that holdover Kevin Harris, who cameoed with the team last year, supplants Gibson at some point in the preseason.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
"A new day, a new No. 1 receiver," noted the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan after last Sunday’s session. From one day to the next, the unit has been paced by the likes of second-rounder Ja'Lynn Polk, fourth-rounder Javon Baker, slot veteran K.J. Osborn, slot holdover Demario Douglas, and 2023 washout Tyquan Thornton. The most hope lies in Polk, for whom Callahan noted an up-and-down first week. There was more praise for Baker from Callahan and teammates, including a gushing comparison from Osborn early in camp. "I told him he reminds me of George Pickens," Osborn said. "Bigger like that. Really, really, really talented. Raw. You see him jump up and make big plays." For his part, Osborn’s performance has heated to the point that he saw heavy usage by Brissett and the first team on Saturday. Osborn has long been more than a traditional, over-the-middle slot man, capable of winning downfield. If Polk, Baker, and Thornton struggle to fill in the gaps, the eventual return of Kendrick Bourne should help. Bourne expects to participate in camp, but the seven-year veteran doesn’t necessarily need the reps. This stretch is for evaluating the rookies – and seeing where, if anywhere, Thornton fits into the new regime’s plans.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
It’s nothing new for onlookers to gush over Hunter Henry and his (presumably) increased role in the Patriots' offense. Seemingly, Henry dominates camp practices every year and hints at a massive new target share, only to fade into the background come Week 1. Perhaps that’s more of a Bill Belichick/Josh McDaniels relic, and perhaps new coordinator Alex Van Pelt will look for mismatches up the seam more often. Henry is doing his part, prompting terms like “standout” and “insane one-handed grab” from beat writers.
Preseason Updates: Kickers
After Chad Ryland went 16 for 25 on field goal attempts last year, the 2023 fourth-round pick was far from assured of being the Patriots' kicker in 2024. The team brought in journeyman veteran Joey Slye, whom Washington didn’t retain after being their kicker in 2023 and 2024. Ryland has been outperforming Slye in camp, going 17 of 18 on field goal attempts, while Slye has only gone 14 of 18, putting the second-year player clearly in the lead in the kicker battle, albeit in what should be one of the lowest-scoring offenses in the league.
Preseason Updates: Defense
Bill Belichick's old tendency to stockpile talent at safety has carried over into the 2024 camp. Pats Pulpit’s Bernd Buchmasser points out the six viable names currently in the mix to work across from star Kyle Dugger. The most significant question mark is likely Jaylinn Hawkins, who’s slated for heavy snaps as a deep coverage safety. Hawkins may serve as a nickel man but bring an oversized impact to a group lacking ball skills on the back end for years.
