7 takeaways as Drake Maye struggles in Patriots OTAs

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6 days ago

FOXBOROUGH – Drake Maye dropped back and threw the ball looking for rookie Kyle Williams.
Instead, the quarterback's pass went right to Patriots safety Dell Pellus. On the next play, Maye attempted to connect with DeMario Douglas. That's when Christian Gonzalez jumped in front of the pass for another interception.
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After a rough first period of 11-on-11 drills in Tuesday's Patriots OTAs session, Maye returned to the field for the next period where he promptly threw two more interceptions. Gonzalez made the young quarterback pay on a deep overthrow to Williams for his second pick of the practice. On the next play, rookie safety Craig Woodson intercepted Maye on a pass to Hunter Henry.
The Patriots first open practice of 2025 didn't start on a positive note for Maye. As the afternoon went on, however, the 22-year-old settled down and finished strong.
After starting 4-of-8 with four interceptions, Maye completed 7-of-8 passes to end Wednesday's practice. The quarterback finished 11-of-16 overall with four turnovers.
Tuesday marked the second OTA practice for the Patriots and the first open to the media.
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Here are the other main takeaways from Tuesday's practice:
Drake Maye struggled but finished strong
Maye's tough start was unusual.
Last spring, Maye threw three total interceptions during five open practices between OTAs and minicamp. In his first training camp, he threw five total interceptions in competitive drills.
On Tuesday, he threw more interceptions in two 11-on-11 series than he did all last offseason. There is going to be a learning curve for Maye as he learns Josh McDaniels' system.
After the four picks, Maye was automatic in the final two series. His final period ended with two highlight throws – a deep ball to Kyle Williams with Craig Woodson in coverage and another deep ball to Javon Baker with Christian Gonzalez in coverage.
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The other two Patriots quarterbacks also struggled on Tuesday. Joshua Dobbs finished 7-of-13 and Ben Wooldridge completed 3-of-8 passes in full-team drills.
Attendance
For optional practices, the Patriots had a solid showing of attendance.
The team missed five players from practice – Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Rhamondre Stevenson, Sidy Sow, and Joshua Farmer. Hollins was present in street clothes while Diggs is rehabbing his knee injury.
Before practice, Vrabel said Stevenson was home due to personal reasons after his father, Robert, died in March.
'I've been in constant communication with him. Obviously, our thoughts and prayers with him and his family as they heal and they grieve,' Vrabel said.' I want to be a part of that to help them and get to know him. I met him early on and then he went back, and now those conversations have just been over the telephone.'
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The Patriots had several players limited on Tuesday: Ja'Lynn Polk, Morgan Moses, Michael Onwenu, Vederian Lowe, Jared Wilson, and Jahvaree Ritzie.
Javon Baker made a statement
After the Patriots drafted Williams in the third round, the pressure increased for Javon Baker. Last year's fourth-round pick struggled to get on the field and finished with one catch as a rookie.
That's why it was notable that Baker made the best catch of the day. In the final 11-on-11 period, Maye threw him a deep ball on the right sideline. Gonzalez was draped all over Baker, but somehow, the wide receiver caught the ball in an extremely tight window. It was an impressive catch.
Will Campbell is a Day 1 starter
This isn't a surprise, but Will Campbell spent all of Tuesday's practice as the Patriots top left tackle. Drafted fourth overall, the LSU product is being thrust into the Patriots projected top lineup from the get-go.
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The Patriots mixed and matched their offensive line on Tuesday, but only Campbell and center Garrett Bradbury were the constants when Maye was under center.
The first offensive line, with Maye on the field, had Campbell (left tackle), Cole Strange (left guard), Bradbury (center), Michael Onwenu (right guard), and Morgan Moses (right tackle).
With several players limited, that lineup chanted to Campbell (left tackle), Wes Schweitzer (left guard), Bradbury (center), Strange (right guard), and Caedan Wallace (right tackle) to start 11-on-11s.
Undrafted free-agent receiver stands out
Keep an eye on Efton Chism III. An undrafted free agent out of Eastern Washington, Chism stuck out multiple times on Tuesday. In college, he broke several Cooper Kupp school records, and it was easy to see why.
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Chism hauled in three of Dobbs' seven completions. He also caught two passes from Wooldridge. A slot receiver, his speed sticks out – and he was also in the kickoff return rotation.
His five catches on Tuesday led all Patriots pass catchers.
Two offensive rookies look the part
There are no pads on, or contact allowed, so historically, it's hard to evaluate running backs. On Tuesday, however, it was easy to notice TreVeyon Henderson.
The Patriots second-round pick is extremely fast with the ball in his hands. With Rhamondre Stevenson out due to personal reasons, Henderson worked with Maye's offensive group. The rookie caught two passes in a row from Maye in 11-on-11s.
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Williams' day wasn't perfect as he was targeted on two of Maye's interceptions. However, the third-round pick made one of the best plays of the day when he caught a Maye deep pass on the left sideline with Woodson in tight coverage.
Rookie kicker makes good impression
The Patriots enter this offseason looking for a new kicker for the third straight season.
On Tuesday, sixth-round pick Andy Borregales looked like the real deal. The kicker from Miami connected on all four of his attempts – ranging between 35 and 55 yards. He's competing with Parker Romo, who misses two of his four field goal attempts.
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Borregales was the first kicker drafted in April. We saw why on Tuesday.
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Read the original article on MassLive.