Patriots coaching camp is formally one week previous.
Let’s dive into readers questions in our weekly mailbag.
@JuicePickm: Who’s your largest winner and largest loser to this point
If I’m giving my true largest winner proper now, it will be cornerback D.J. James, a follow squad participant from final season who appears to make a move breakup or two each follow. He additionally had the primary interception of camp. The Seahawks 2024 sixth-round pick is making a powerful case for a roster spot.
However out of, I suppose, extra related gamers, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, rookie offensive lineman Jared Wilson and veteran edge defender Okay’Lavon Chaisson have all had robust begins to camp.
So far as largest losers, Ja’Lynn Polk didn’t assist his case for a roster spot by lacking the primary 4 days of follow with a tender tissue damage. Undrafted rookie slot receiver Efton Chism has barely been concerned, and tight finish Jaheim Bell, a 2024 seventh-round choose, 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 solely allowed six gamers, then I’ll go along with Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Boutte, Kyle Williams, Kendrick Bourne and Mack Hollins. Prime candidates for a seventh spot can be Chism, Polk and Javon Baker. Polk has truly had some respectable moments in his return to follow. He seems easy. And Baker made a spotlight play Tuesday, choosing the ball off of cornerback Marcellas Dial’s helmet for a landing from Joshua Dobbs.
@jakefromcph: Sincere opinion on Maye? There may be plenty of hype clearly, however after I see the completion numbers from the beat writers, it seems like he’s finishing solely round 50% of his passes.
I believe the Patriots are being intentional with Drake Maye. Outdoors of some botched snaps, Maye has protected the ball effectively and performed plenty of quick passing. He made a few spotlight throws to Williams and Diggs on Tuesday, however he’s additionally had some points with accuracy.
I believe turnovers have been an issue for Maye final season, so his avoidance of interceptions has been a very good signal. I’d prefer to see him uncork the ball a bit bit extra in follow and be extra decisive. However general, I believe it’s been a stable, if unspectacular, begin to camp for Maye.
@kdot89_: After 6 practices what’s your beginning OL based mostly on what you’ve seen?
Sometimes, the highest unit is Will Campbell at left deal with, Cole Unusual at left guard, Garrett Bradbury at heart, Mike Onwenu at proper guard and Morgan Moses at proper deal with, so that will be the protected reply. However Jared Wilson is receiving each attainable alternative to take a beginning job at heart or left guard. Caedan Wallace can also be seeing reps at left guard, and Demontrey Jacobs commonly spells Moses at proper deal with.
I’ll exit on a limb and guess that Wilson earns a beginning job earlier than Week 1. His pure place is at heart, however I may see the Patriots being hesitant to thrust a rookie into such an vital function after signing a veteran like Bradbury. The left guard job appears extra attainable to win.
@BostAngeles: Might the RT place be the largest concern for the OL?
I don’t assume so. I might nonetheless say that left deal with, left guard or heart are larger issues. Moses hasn’t had the best begin to coaching camp, however he’s a professional and a gamer. I believe he settles down because the summer season goes alongside.
@Prostarr27: Is Will Campbell the answer at LT? What’s new in regards to the offence that’s noticeable
Sure, I do consider Campbell is the answer at left deal with. He’s had some ups and downs by way of the primary two days of padded practices, however general, the staff is impressed with their No. 4 general choose.
On Monday, he was placed on his butt throughout 1-on-1 drills however settled within the staff session throughout move safety and run blocking. On Tuesday, he misplaced a rep throughout half-line drills and in move safety throughout 11-on-11s however received two 1-on-1 matchups.
So, even when he’s struggled, he’s proven positives within the subsequent breath.
And as for what’s most noticeably totally different in regards to the offense, McDaniels is permitting his quarterbacks to point out mobility on bootlegs and skim choices.
@L68413lawr___: Something on the day 3 rookies?
Lots. Security Craig Woodson bought beat by Stefon Diggs throughout 11-on-11s Tuesday however has been featured at free security and within the third-down protection. Defensive deal with Joshua Farmer has seen some reps within the first-team protection however didn’t follow Tuesday. Defensive finish Bradyn Swinson has gotten into the backfield at occasions however has been working with the third-string protection. Andres Borregales was 6-of-6 on kicks Tuesday after going 3-of-6 earlier in camp. Offensive deal with Marcus Bryant spent most of camp at left deal with however bought some work at proper deal with on Tuesday. Lengthy snapper Julian Ashby has no competitors, and cornerback Kobee Minor has been enjoying outdoors on the third-team protection. He bought into a quick scrap Monday.
@originaldbb: Jared Wilson is a Middle and Cadan Wallace is a RT. Wouldn’t it make extra sense to maintain enjoying them there and never out of place ? That doesn’t assist their improvement simply plugs holes you haven’t stuffed elsewhere.
Enjoying soccer helps a soccer participant’s improvement, even when it’s not at their pure place. We additionally don’t essentially know what Wilson and Wallace are within the NFL.
Wilson was a guard earlier than shifting to heart at Georgia, so there’s familiarity in that function.
I do agree that I’d favor to see Wallace at proper deal with because the backup over Jacobs. But when the Patriots assume he may probably win the beginning left guard function, then that will get him on the sphere sooner.
@pats300levelpod: Is there an opportunity that Drake Maye is the one 2024 draft choose that makes the ultimate roster?
There’s an opportunity, however I wouldn’t say it doubtless at this level. If I have been placing collectively a 53-man roster projection proper now, Wallace can be on it, and Dial seems just like the backup slot cornerback.
But it surely’s not an amazing signal nobody outdoors of Maye is a first-team starter.
@jbball2121: Almost definitely commerce candidate in WR room?
Perhaps Polk? If by the top of the summer season, he’s not inside the high six or seven vast receivers, then perhaps the Patriots may nonetheless get some worth by buying and selling him to a staff that enjoyed him final season. Second-round picks don’t usually lose all worth.
