FOXBORO — Patriots rookie Drake Maye seemingly still hasn’t ascended over Jacoby Brissett or Bailey Zappe on the quarterback depth chart through a week of organized team activities practices, but he’s still putting in the work early in his NFL career.
While Brissett and Zappe met with reporters at podiums on the side of the Patriots’ practice field, Maye and rookie wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker spent extra time after practice continuing to throw and catch, sneaking in extra reps after a two-hour-long practice.
Before Wednesday’s session, head coach Jerod Mayo said Maye, who was the first QB on the field Wednesday, “is taking advantage of the opportunities that he gets” during OTAs.
The rookie had plenty of them in Wednesday’s practice, but he was still third in line during 11-on-11s behind veterans Brissett and Zappe. The Patriots are making Maye earn his role even if it means taking away meaningful reps with Patriots top pass-catchers and offensive linemen.
Wednesday’s practice saw many notable absences, one rookie wide receiver beginning to ascend and some special guests.
Here are the Herald’s complete practice observations:
Absent: OLB Matthew Judon, CB Jonathan Jones, OLB Josh Uche, WR Kendrick Bourne, DT Christian Barmore, DT Davon Godchaux, DT Sam Roberts
Non-participants: LB Sione Takitaki, QB Joe Milton III, LB Jahlani Tavai, OT Zuri Henry, G Sidy Sow, C Jake Andrews, G Cole Strange
Notes: Bourne and Strange are both coming off of knee injuries suffered in 2023. Tavai also had an offseason procedure. Takitaki was in sweats with a wrap on his right leg. Andrews was also in sweats with a wrap on his left leg. Sow was in uniform but didn’t participate after taking first-team reps at left guard last week in OTAs. He also had a wrap on his left leg. Henry, an undrafted free agent, has yet to participate in practice, dating back to rookie minicamp. DraftScout.com notes that he didn’t do his broad jump at his pro day in March because of a hamstring injury. It’s not completely surprising to see veterans like Judon, Jones, Uche, Barmore and Godchaux skipping OTAs, since they’re voluntary sessions.
Baker showed off his playmaking skills, hauling in a downfield throw from Brissett down the sideline by jumping up and over cornerback Marco Wilson to make the grab. Baker, a fourth-round pick out of UCF, was known for having flashes and inconsistent moments during his college career. That’s been the case early in spring practices, as well.
Baker caught another pass with two defenders around him and turned upfield for a touchdown. He was also targeted on an interception thrown by Zappe.
“He made a couple of plays today,” Brissett said after practice. “He’s getting better. Obviously, somebody that we are looking forward to seeing what he can become, and he’s doing a good job of getting better every day and taking the coaching from the meeting room to the field and trying not to make the same mistake twice. Right now, that’s all you can ask for. …
“Good route-runner, good hands, he can go up and make plays like he did today. We’re looking forward just seeing the more he can do.”
This comes with the caveat that Thornton, known for his speed over his physicality, always seems to stand out before the pads come on. But Thornton was a favorite target of Maye on Wednesday. The rookie’s best throw came on a downfield pass caught by Thornton with safety Kyle Dugger trailing in coverage during 7-on-7s. Thornton caught four passes on the day — three from Maye and one from Brissett.
Thornton, a 2022 second-round pick, needs a strong spring and summer to make the Patriots’ 53-man roster. Assuming Bourne, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborne, Ja’Lynn Polk and DeMario Douglas are safe, a potential sixth spot comes down to Thornton, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kayshon Boutte, T.J. Luther, Jalen Reagor and Kawaan Baker.
Note: The passing stats below were tallied during competitive 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods only.
Jacoby Brissett: 6-of-8 in 11-on-11s, 7-of-8 in 7-on-7s
Bailey Zappe: 6-of-9 in 11-on-11s, 4-of-7, INT on 7-on-7s
Drake Maye: 4-of-6 in 11-on-11s, 12-of-14 in 7-on-7s
Notes: Maye was third in line behind Brissett and Zappe during an initial 11-on-11 period. Brissett and Zappe then switched off on one field during 7-on-7s while Maye worked on his own field. At the end of practice, Brissett saw first-team reps in 11-on-11s followed by Zappe. Then Brissett went again followed by Maye. Brissett had a strong case for being the player of the day. He was sharp in team and individual drills. He also has a head up on his competition thanks to his experience in offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s system. It’s unclear what kept Milton out of practice, but the sixth-round pick’s incredible arm strength was missed as a sideshow for reporters. The rookie has left Zappe impressed. “That guy can throw the rock. It makes me wonder what I didn’t do when I was growing up as far as workouts, but I mean, we’ll do a quarterback competition, I’m sure, as far as throwing the ball.”
