Patriots Training Camp 4: Drake Maye Flashes Despite Inconsistent Practice

Attendance

Absent/Did Not Participate: CB Carlton Davis III, WR Ja’Lynn Polk

Limited: RT Morgan Moses, RB Rhamondre Stevenson

Physically Unable to Perform: WR Mack Hollins, TE Austin Hooper, LT Vederian Lowe

Non-Football Injury: S Josh Minkins

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Drake Maye Flashes Despite Inconsistent Practice

The Patriots’ first session in shells was their most entertaining of early training camp, with Drake Maye taking more chances in the third-down centered practice. This led to some eye-popping highlights, but also some tough misses.

Maye’s playmaking ability flashed multiple times this afternoon, highlighted by a pair of deep scores. The first came during 7-on-7s, with Javon Baker torching Jaylinn Hawkins on a dino-post. Later in 11-on-11s, DeMario Douglas caught his quarterback scrambling and took off downfield. Maye paid off the effort with a rocket while rolling right, resulting in a field-flipping touchdown.

On intermediate throws, Maye had moments of excellent touch to beat leaping defenders. These included a crosser to Hunter Henry to beat a zone defender and a Kayshon Boutte dig over Robert Spillane. Maye also led Douglas away from a trailing Alex Austin on another crossing route.

On the downside, Maye threw wide on crossers to Stefon Diggs and Henry, an issue that crept up at times last season. The quarterback also missed open wheels to Antonio Gibson and TreVeyon Henderson (a theme among New England’s passers), and had an awkward slant throw land at Boutte’s feet. Occasionally egregious misses aren’t new for Maye, and pressure surely played a factor at times, but Saturday featured more of these mistakes than we’re used to seeing.

Maye’s increased aggressiveness was promising after three conservative practices, and he continues to keep the ball out of harm’s way. That said, he’ll need a more consistent effort when camp resumes on Monday.

Notebook

• DeMario Douglas has been the Patriots’ best pass-catcher, and it isn’t close. He looks more comfortable than ever under coordinator Josh McDaniels, consistently getting open, catching everything thrown his way, and quickly becoming Drake Maye’s top target. Douglas’ Saturday included his scramble drill score, a catch off a Marcus Jones deflection, and a sideline grab between two defenders on a Joshua Dobbs laser. The third-year receiver is primed to be the latest in McDaniels’ long line of slot studs.
• Stefon Diggs had his first disappointing practice of camp. Maye missed the veteran on an early crosser, but Diggs he had targets broken up at the catch-point by Christian Gonzalez and Harold Landry, respectively. Diggs also bobbled a crosser late in practice before recovering for a completion (questionable effort on the initial catch attempt).
• Robert Spillane broke up a seam throw from Maye to Hunter Henry during team drills, days after allowing a catch on what looked like the same play. Spillane also dove to break up a throw to Douglas on the next play.
• TreVeyon Henderson consistently got open on wheel routes, which seemed to be a point of emphasis today. His only catchable downfield target was a Dobbs dime for a would-be score. Henderson also showed his speed on a screen where he coralled an errant throw before exploding upfield.
• Morgan Moses and Rhamondre Stevenson were absent for the beginning of practice, but returned and took part in 11-on-11s. Carlton Davis had his helmet and rode a stationary bike during warm-ups, but did not participate.
• After missing an interception opportunity to start camp, Jabrill Peppers bounced back by stealing a Dobbs checkdown throw off a Jack Gibbens deflection.
• Undrafted rookies Efton Chism and Brock Lampe briefly repped with the top offense late in practice. Chism was impossible to cover across the middle while working with the third team.