EAGAN, Minn. — As far as joint practices go, Wednesday was a knock-down drag-out kind of slugfest.

In the first session between the Patriots and Vikings at the TCO Performance Center, Josh McDaniels’ offense and Brian Flores’ defense traded big-time blows. Minnesota racked up six sacks against the top offensive line of their visitors, but Drake Maye punched back with some explosive plays of his own when he was given an opportunity.

For a Patriots offense that struggled with handling pressure in practices ahead of their trip to Minnesota — and going against a defense that is known for its exotic pressure packages — their mixed-bag performance came as no surprise. 

But the fact that they were able to hold their own is a credit to Mike Vrabel and McDaniels, who wanted to make sure their team was prepared for what Flores would throw at them. 

Maye deserves plaudits, too, for not getting flustered by what he saw. In fact, some of his best throws actually came on plays when he was “sacked.”

Which is part of the reason why he’s trending upward in our latest edition of Stock Watch…

Stock Up

Drake Maye, QB

Maye went 13-for-21 in the 11-on-11 portion of the practice, rebounding from a 7-on-7 period when he sailed a pair of passes to Kyle Williams and DeMario Douglas. 

His long touchdowns to wide-open pass catchers (Mack Hollins and TreVeyon Henderson) were highlights, but his on-the-run dart to Kayshon Boutte along the sideline was perhaps his most impressive. He was “sacked” on the play when Garrett Bradbury gave up a quick pressure, but that attempt flashed his high-end physical ability.

“It was good for us to see a defense that does a lot of things,” Maye said later. “They got us a few times. I felt like we got them.”

TreVeyon Henderson, RB

It was ruled that Henderson did not complete an over-the-shoulder grab on a wheel route in 7-on-7 work that looked like a catch. No matter. He was still busy on the day and submitted one of the most eye-opening plays of the afternoon. 

He reeled in all four targets sent his way in 11-on-11 periods, including a 60-yard catch-and-run touchdown when he out-raced the angles of Vikings defensive backs down the sideline to cap a two-play two-minute drill when the Patriots needed a field-goal to tie. 

“Sometimes they leave the backs 1-on-1,” Maye said. “Sometimes, that’s your best matchup on the field. You’ve got safeties over top of receivers. You’ve got, sometimes, a lot of guys in the middle of the field in zones. Sometimes [they’re] 1-on-1 with your running backs.”

Henderson’s teammates erupted as he got behind the last Vikings defender and crossed the goal line. As McDaniels said earlier this week, Henderson is “fast-fast.”

Marcus Jones, CB

The Patriots made it hard on the Vikings to move the football with any sort of consistency, and their pass-rushers helped force J.J. McCarthy into the kind of up-and-down day that he’s experienced throughout camp, according to Vikings reporters. 

Jones had the highlight for the Patriots with an easy interception when he fell off his initial coverage to snare a telegraphed McCarthy attempt. Jones also was in tight coverage of wideout Jordan Addison deep down the field when Jabrill Peppers sprinted underneath an underthrown McCarthy pass for a breakup.

Stock Down

Patriots offensive line

Maye’s offensive line settled in as the 11-on-11 session wore on, but they struggled in spurts. 

There was one three-play stretch when Flores dialed up exotic looks that resulted in three consecutive “sacks.” One came off the left side when an unblocked rusher made it into the backfield in a blink. Will Campbell was beaten by Jonthan Greenard on the kind of inside move that has given Campbell problems at times this summer.

Bradbury, Jared Wilson and Mike Onwenu also allowed “sacks” in the competitive team period. 

It wasn’t all bad for this unit, as they allowed just one sack in a 15-dropback stretch late in practice. Additionally, Campbell and Wilson handled one game on the left side — something that had been an issue for them in recent practices and in the preseason opener — with aplomb.

But the half-dozen sacks combined with a pair of holding calls lands this unit in the Stock Down category after Day 1.

DeMario Douglas, WR

The Patriots’ most consistent receiver of camp had the kind of day that was, for the most part, a good one.

He drew a defensive holding call. He caught a deep cross for an explosive gain when Campbell and Wilson handled a game to give Maye time. He had another nice gain on an in-cut that flashed good touch from Maye over the middle of the field. 

Why is he here, then? The one turnover of the day for the top Patriots offense came when Douglas caught a screen early in the 11-on-11 period and was promptly stripped by corner Isaiah Rodgers.

Joshua Dobbs, QB

Backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs wasn’t able to take care of the football as well as Maye against Flores’ defense. He threw a pick-six to Dwight McGlothern on an out-route that was intended for Mack Hollins. Later he had another pick-six to safety Jay Ward when targeting Efton Chism.