Patriots training camp is officially one week old.
Let’s dive into readers questions in our weekly mailbag.
@JuicePickm: Who’s your biggest winner and biggest loser thus far
If I’m giving my true biggest winner right now, it would be cornerback D.J. James, a practice squad player from last season who seems to make a pass breakup or two every practice. He also had the first interception of camp. The Seahawks 2024 sixth-round pick is making a strong case for a roster spot.
But out of, I guess, more relevant players, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, rookie offensive lineman Jared Wilson and veteran edge defender K’Lavon Chaisson have all had strong starts to camp.
As far as biggest losers, Ja’Lynn Polk didn’t help his case for a roster spot by missing the first four days of practice with a soft tissue injury. Undrafted rookie slot receiver Efton Chism has barely been involved, and tight end Jaheim Bell, a 2024 seventh-round pick, is buried on the depth behind Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover, Gee Scott Jr. and CJ Dippre.
@Ontheclockfant: What would your prediction for the WR pecking order / who makes the roster?
If I’m only allowed six players, then I’ll go with Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Boutte, Kyle Williams, Kendrick Bourne and Mack Hollins. Top candidates for a seventh spot would be Chism, Polk and Javon Baker. Polk has actually had some decent moments in his return to practice. He looks smooth. And Baker made a highlight play Tuesday, picking the ball off of cornerback Marcellas Dial’s helmet for a touchdown from Joshua Dobbs.
@jakefromcph: Honest opinion on Maye? There is a lot of hype obviously, but when I see the completion numbers from the beat writers, it looks like he is completing only around 50% of his passes.
I think the Patriots are being intentional with Drake Maye. Outside of some botched snaps, Maye has protected the ball well and done a lot of short passing. He made a couple of highlight throws to Williams and Diggs on Tuesday, but he’s also had some issues with accuracy.
I think turnovers were a problem for Maye last season, so his avoidance of interceptions has been a good sign. I’d like to see him uncork the ball a little bit more in practice and be more decisive. But overall, I think it’s been a solid, if unspectacular, start to camp for Maye.
Quarterback Drake Maye of the New England Patriots and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels during a training camp drill in Foxboro on Tuesday. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
@kdot89_: After 6 practices what is your starting OL based on what you’ve seen?
Typically, the top unit is Will Campbell at left tackle, Cole Strange at left guard, Garrett Bradbury at center, Mike Onwenu at right guard and Morgan Moses at right tackle, so that would be the safe answer. But Jared Wilson is receiving every possible opportunity to take a starting job at center or left guard. Caedan Wallace is also seeing reps at left guard, and Demontrey Jacobs regularly spells Moses at right tackle.
I’ll go out on a limb and guess that Wilson earns a starting job before Week 1. His natural position is at center, but I could see the Patriots being hesitant to thrust a rookie into such an important role after signing a veteran like Bradbury. The left guard job seems more attainable to win.
@BostAngeles: Could the RT position be the biggest concern for the OL?
I don’t think so. I would still say that left tackle, left guard or center are bigger concerns. Moses hasn’t had the greatest start to training camp, but he’s a pro and a gamer. I think he settles down as the summer goes along.
@Prostarr27: Is Will Campbell the solution at LT? What is new about the offence that is noticeable
Yes, I do believe Campbell is the solution at left tackle. He’s had some ups and downs through the first two days of padded practices, but overall, the team is impressed with their No. 4 overall pick.
On Monday, he was put on his butt during 1-on-1 drills but settled in the team session during pass protection and run blocking. On Tuesday, he lost a rep during half-line drills and in pass protection during 11-on-11s but won two 1-on-1 matchups.
So, even when he’s struggled, he’s shown positives in the next breath.
And as for what is most noticeably different about the offense, McDaniels is allowing his quarterbacks to show mobility on bootlegs and read options.
@L68413lawr___: Anything on the day 3 rookies?
Plenty. Safety Craig Woodson got beat by Stefon Diggs during 11-on-11s Tuesday but has been featured at free safety and in the third-down defense. Defensive tackle Joshua Farmer has seen some reps in the first-team defense but didn’t practice Tuesday. Defensive end Bradyn Swinson has gotten into the backfield at times but has been running with the third-string defense. Andres Borregales was 6-of-6 on kicks Tuesday after going 3-of-6 earlier in camp. Offensive tackle Marcus Bryant spent most of camp at left tackle but got some work at right tackle on Tuesday. Long snapper Julian Ashby has no competition, and cornerback Kobee Minor has been playing outside on the third-team defense. He got into a brief scrap Monday.
@originaldbb: Jared Wilson is a Center and Cadan Wallace is a RT. Wouldn’t it make more sense to keep playing them there and not out of position ? That doesn’t help their development just plugs holes you haven’t filled elsewhere.
Playing football helps a football player’s development, even if it’s not at their natural position. We also don’t necessarily know what Wilson and Wallace are in the NFL.
Wilson was a guard before moving to center at Georgia, so there’s familiarity in that role.
I do agree that I’d prefer to see Wallace at right tackle as the backup over Jacobs. But if the Patriots think he could potentially win the starting left guard role, then that would get him on the field sooner.
@pats300levelpod: Is there a chance that Drake Maye is the only 2024 draft pick that makes the final roster?
There’s a chance, but I wouldn’t say it likely at this point. If I were putting together a 53-man roster projection right now, Wallace would be on it, and Dial looks like the backup slot cornerback.
But it’s not a great sign no one outside of Maye is a first-team starter.
@jbball2121: Most likely trade candidate in WR room?
Maybe Polk? If by the end of the summer, he’s not within the top six or seven wide receivers, then maybe the Patriots could still get some value by trading him to a team that liked him last season. Second-round picks don’t typically lose all value.