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USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
5 standout Patriots players from first minicamp practice
5 standout Patriots players from first minicamp practice The New England Patriots opened mandatory minicamp on Monday to kick-start their final spring practice sessions. It was a similar setup to organized team activities (OTAs) with the players working through designed drills and a competitive period between the offense and defense. This setting generally favors the offensive players with the team not practicing in pads. The defense is limited in what they can do on the field in only helmets and shorts. That will obviously change later this summer when the pads come on at training camp. Then we'll get a real sense of where players are in their preparation for the regular season. Here were the five standout Patriots players on the first day of minicamp: QB Drake Maye Patriots quarterback Drake Maye picked up where he left off at OTAs last week. He looked sharp in the competitive period on the first day of minicamp, going 15-of-19 passing. That's obviously a combination of him growing into the role as a starting NFL quarterback and becoming more comfortable in Josh McDaniels' offense. He even admitted after practice that he feels like he's starting to hit his stride during the practice sessions. The Patriots can only hope that success extends into training camp and eventually the regular season. WR Kyle Williams Kyle Williams flashed some of his big-play potential with a play-of-the-day snag on a deep ball from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs. The rookie third-round draft pick beat a linebacker, and Dobbs connected with him for 40-plus yards between two safeties. Williams' ability to find open space and make plays is starting to stand out in the early practices. He certainly looks more polished on the field than many of the past rookie receivers who have come through New England. CB Isaiah Bolden Isaiah Bolden's name doesn't get mentioned as much, but he had a couple of solid plays at the first minicamp practice, including an interception on Joshua Dobbs. The play came in the red zone and would have been a pick-six in a game situation. There is plenty of competition at the cornerback position, but Bolden's talent in the defensive backfield combined with his special teams versatility gives him a legit shot at sticking on the roster. QB Joshua Dobbs Yes, Joshua Dobbs threw one interception, but other than that play, it was actually a strong practice period for the veteran quarterback, who went 10-of-13 throwing on the day. He hit rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams on the play-of-the-day deep ball between two safeties for 40-plus yards, and he also laid out a nice touchdown throw to rookie running back Lan Larison on a wheel route. Those were two of the best throws of the entire practice. WR Stefon Diggs The boat talk already seems to be in the distant past when it comes to wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Even as a limited participant, the four-time Pro Bowler has looked exceptional running routes and completing assigned drills. It's crazy to think he's a 31-year-old player coming off an ACL injury from last October. Diggs is without question one of the hardest-working players in the NFL, and that effort shows in his recovery status. He has also quickly become a vocal leader in the Patriots' locker room. The combination of talent and a strong voice in the room could go a long way for the unit. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Joshua Dobbs Growing Alongside Drake Maye In Patriots QB Room
Veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs reached a two-year, $8 million contract with the New England ... More Patriots during NFL free agency in March. (Photo by) Getty Images Joshua Dobbs knows what an NFL quarterback room looks like. The former No. 135 overall pick out of the University of Tennessee has resided in an array of them since entering the league in 2017. Twice a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, seats with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers have also been occupied. In March, he sat down in his next with the New England Patriots. 'We're just trying to be the best quarterbacks that we can be on a daily basis,' Dobbs told reporters during his Tuesday press conference. 'Like, from our leadership, from how we handle ourselves in the locker room, from our preparation and ultimately how we perform and compete on the field no matter who's in there. I think that's what makes a healthy room. So obviously, the pecking order will be the pecking order. But when guys are coming together each and every day to work hard, to grow, to push each other in the right way with the right spirit, that's what makes a healthy quarterback room. But not only a healthy quarterback room, that's what makes a healthy team.' Dobbs arrived at Gillette Stadium on a two-year, $8 million contract as an unrestricted free agent. The agreement brings $3.8 million guaranteed along with cap charges of $2.925 million for 2025 and $4.75 million for 2026, according to And it brings on the responsibility of backing up rising sophomore Drake Maye, whom he first met at the NFLPA Classic golf tournament in Cancun. 'It was good to get a chance to meet each other outside of a football environment, put a face with a name and just start talking ball and get to know each other,' Dobbs said. 'And just being in the building, like, the kid loves football. It's really good to be around that every morning.' In Foxborough, the 30-year-old is beginning at the same point as the 22-year-old starter in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' system as organized team activities and mandatory minicamp near. 'As a young guy, I think curiosity is always very interesting,' Dobbs said. 'He's very curious. This is obviously his second scheme that he's had. To see the questions that he asks, his engagement each day within the QB room and his preparation coming into the room. And not only preparation in our own interpersonal meetings with Coach McDaniels, but also when we get on the field. As we go out there and lead a new offense, like, you can always tell who loves football and loves the learning aspect of it. He definitely does that.' Dobbs stands 23 games and 15 starts into his NFL journey. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has completed 344-of-549 passes for 3,281 yards with 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. And on the ground, 520 yards and eight scores have been accrued as a rusher. He spent time on former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel's roster in the AFC South. He also spent time on the same depth chart as former Patriots quarterback and team captain Jacoby Brissett in the AFC North. In the AFC East, it's on to building a dynamic with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft class. 'Whoever the guy is out there on Sundays, it's everyone's job in that room to make sure they're supported and ready to go and ready to play,' Dobbs said. 'Obviously, for my role, it's ensuring that as we're learning the offense together, Drake feels comfortable and he can go out there and play at a high level. And so, learning that from Jacoby, man, he's the ultimate professional. We want to have a healthy quarterback room. Obviously competitive, push each other every single day. But at the end of the day, whoever's out there, we want them to go out and play the best ball they can.'
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
VFL Josh Dobbs joins ninth NFL team, inks two-year deal with Patriots
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Beloved former University of Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs is shipping up to Boston and joining the New England Patriots, the ninth team of his nine-year NFL career. Free agency kicked off on Monday and Dobbs didn't waste any time signing a two-year deal with the Patriots. He'll bolster a New England quarterback depth chart topped by Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in last year's draft who earned Pro Bowl honors in his rookie season. Josh Dobbs delivers Girl Scout cookies to East Tennessee Children's Hospital patients in annual tradition The move does cast some doubt on the future of another former Tennessee quarterback in New England. Joe Milton spent his rookie season with the Patriots in 2024 and made his NFL debut in their season finale. He led the Patriots to a win over the Buffalo Bills that ultimately knocked the team out of contention for the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. After being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017, Dobbs has spent most of his first eight years in the NFL serving as a backup for several teams. He made his NFL debut as a starter in 2022 with the Tennessee Titans and has gone on to make starts with the Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, and San Francisco 49ers. According to a 2024 article, only six other players in NFL history have suited up for nine or more teams. Dobbs will join Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown as the only quarterbacks to do so. Only two players, kicker Shayne Graham and 20s defensive lineman Tillie Voss, played for 10 different teams. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
