Latest news with #KendrickBourne
New York Times
30-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
What we've learned about the Patriots through 6 training camp practices
FOXBORO, Mass. — At the end of a brutally hot practice Tuesday, quarterback Drake Maye hit receivers Kayshon Boutte and Kendrick Bourne for 5-yard touchdowns in the corner of the end zone, ending things on a high note after some early struggles. That has been the story of camp for the Patriots: a few really good moments and a few rough ones. Advertisement But rather than zoom in on just one drill or one day, let's reset with the bigger picture in mind. Here are six things we've learned about the Patriots after six training camp practices. Perhaps this is to be expected. The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator, new offensive tackles and a new No. 1 wide receiver. If you're an optimist, there have been enough on-the-money throws from Maye to be convinced he can be a top-10 quarterback in the NFL this season. But if you're ready to nitpick and believe the front office didn't do enough this offseason to improve the offense, there have been plenty of struggles to which you can point. In short, the offense has been inconsistent. At times, the offensive line looks pretty shaky. At times, the bottom of the wide receiver depth chart has struggled. At times (including at Tuesday's practice), Maye's accuracy is an issue. And there have been way too many botched snaps between Maye and his centers, which can be drive-enders. It's still early for an offense that's learning a new scheme, so it shouldn't be a surprise that consistency has been an issue. All in all, it has been an up-and-down start for the unit. Pads on, energy up 🔋 — New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 28, 2025 There will be lots of important questions about how the bottom of the depth chart shakes out at wide receiver, but one thing has been clear: Outside of Stefon Diggs, Douglas is the Patriots' best receiver. The 24-year-old gets more targets from Maye than anyone else and usually is efficient with them. In a Josh McDaniels-led offense that historically has gotten a lot of production from its slot receivers, Douglas could be in line for a big season. Diggs is the no-doubt No. 1 wideout on this team. But Douglas is the Pats' second-best option. The next question: Who is the No. 3 among Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams and Mack Hollins (who has yet to practice)? Advertisement After revamping the front five last season, the team's first-string offensive line appears to be largely decided. Will Campbell, Cole Strange, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses have been the starters from left to right. Only one question remains: Can third-round pick Jared Wilson do enough to nab a starting role at left guard or center over Strange or Bradbury? Wilson has had some nice moments where his athleticism is notable, including impressive one-on-one reps against Milton Williams on Tuesday. But there have been some issues, too, including two fumbled exchanges with Maye. Much of this will be decided once we see how Wilson fares in the three preseason games (he will probably get snaps at both positions), but he has been trending in the right direction in recent days. Now it's just a question of whether he can overtake Strange or Bradbury. One of the pre-camp concerns was how the cornerback group would look behind Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis. Relatively quickly, the concern has flipped to the health of those two starters while the reserve corners have played well. Gonzalez and Davis missed Tuesday's practice because of injuries. That has meant plenty of time for the reserves, and DJ James, Miles Battle and Alex Austin have all taken advantage. We'll see if that continues. Now, New England just needs to get Gonzalez and Davis healthy and ready for Week 1. Austin Hooper participated in his first practice of camp Tuesday, but what was telling was how much the Patriots still leaned on multiple-tight-end formations even while he was out. We know they feel comfortable with their top two tight ends: Hunter Henry and Hooper. But McDaniels kept utilizing big formations even when Hooper was out, which suggests the Patriots will likely lean on a lot of 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) this season. Advertisement That could play to their strengths, too, since it would alleviate any potential concerns about the Nos. 3 and 4 wide receivers on the roster. Perhaps no player has looked better than I expected than edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson. The 2020 first-round pick is hoping a change of scenery and a bigger opportunity could bring out his best after five seasons in the league have resulted in just 10 sacks. Keion White and Chaisson have been arguably the team's top pass rushers. Defenders aren't allowed to tackle quarterbacks during practice, so it can be tough to know exactly which plays would have resulted in sacks, but Chaisson has been consistently disrupting the pocket and getting to the QB. We're just a week in, but Chaisson looks like an under-the-radar candidate to make a big impact for the Patriots this season.
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bourne compares Diggs' ACL return to Peterson rushing for 2,000 yards
Kendrick Bourne reacts to Stefon Diggs' return from injury and compares the wide receiver's impressive start to camp to Adrian Peterson's MVP season. Bourne compares Diggs' ACL return to Peterson rushing for 2,000 yards originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
49ers Trade for Patriots Receiver Predicted By NFL Analyst
Kendrick Bourne currently plays for the New England Patriots. Bourne used to play for the San Francisco 49ers. It appears as though he might be on his way out of Foxboro. He could find his way back to the Bay Area in the form of a trade. According to one media outlet, there are several teams which have been listed as potential destinations for Bourne. San Francisco appears to be one of the leading candidates according to Sterline Xie of Pro Football and Sports Network. Advertisement "Teams from the Shanahan-McVay tree would make sense for a reunion, starting with his original team in San Francisco," Xie wrote. "The 49ers might need some early-season receiver depth depending on Brandon Aiyuk's recovery timeline, and Bourne would serve as an insurance policy in case Ricky Pearsall isn't ready for a larger role." Bourne suffered a torn ACL in 2023 which caused him to miss part of the 2024 season. He struggled to come back and caught 28 passes for 305 yards and one touchdown in 12 contests. The Patriots signed him to a three-year extension last spring. He is reportedly a high character person who is great to have in the locker room. However, the Patriots did sign Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in the offseason and Bourne might be considered expendable. Advertisement Xie wrote his story on one veteran each NFL team could trade. He has Bourne on the move. San Francisco is the first potential fit he lists. He just does not believe new Patriots' coach Mike Vrabel is planning on keeping Bourne and involving him in the rebuild. "One veteran who probably doesn't fit with the rebuilding Patriots is Bourne. Since his 55-catch, 800-yard season in 2021, Bourne has yet to hit 500 yards in a season, with a torn ACL from October 2023 hampering him each of the last two seasons," Xie said. "Bourne turns 30 in August, and the Patriots signed Diggs and Hollins to serve as the reliable veterans in the receiver room." Related: 49ers Could Draft 'Instinctive' Defender in First Round Related: 49ers Draft George Kittle Replacement in Controversial Prediction
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Drake Maye's Surprise Vacation Gift to Patriots Squad Sets Stage for Players-Only Camp
Drake Maye's Surprise Vacation Gift to Patriots Squad Sets Stage for Players-Only Camp originally appeared on Athlon Sports. New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is charging into his second NFL season with unstoppable momentum. Fresh off his wedding, the 22-year-old phenom organized a dynamic pre-training camp workout in North Carolina, sparking excitement for the 2025 season. This electrifying retreat, captured by wide receiver Kendrick Bourne on YouTube, promises a revitalized Patriots offense. Maye rallied key teammates, including star receiver Stefon Diggs, rookie Kyle Williams, and backup quarterback Josh Dobbs, to his hometown near Charlotte. The three-day grind showcased Maye's leadership, blending camaraderie with intense preparation. Bourne, grinning ear-to-ear, called it 'a free vacation' thanks to the luxurious house Maye secured. Advertisement New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) holds a press conference after minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Day one unfolded at William A. Hough High School, where Maye once played as a freshman. The squad drilled routes, with Maye mentoring Williams, sharpening the rookie's skills. The hustle set a fierce tone for the trip. On day two, the team hit the field at 8 a.m., fine-tuning connections between quarterbacks and receivers. Maye and Dobbs synced with their targets, building chemistry critical for the upcoming season. Every rep screamed dedication. The finale at Davidson College saw Maye, a University of North Carolina alum, rallying his crew for one last push. 'I appreciate y'all coming out,' he told them, his words brimming with gratitude and grit. Hopefully, the chemistry built up here will translate to the field come September. Will this spark ignite a Patriots resurgence? Training camp, starting July 23, holds the answers. Related: More from Patriot Country: This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Patriots Predicted to Cut Ties With Kendrick Bourne
Patriots Predicted to Cut Ties With Kendrick Bourne originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New England Patriots are facing a difficult challenge of finding enough roster spots for their crowded wide receiver group. According to Bleacher Report's Alex Kay, veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is one player at risk of being cut. Advertisement "With Bourne soon turning 30 and due to make $5.5 million in base salary, New England can part ways with the aging veteran in exchange for $6.3 million in cap relief and a paltry $1.4 million dead cap hit," Kay said. The Patriots have nine receivers competing for limited roster spots, with Bourne sitting among the most vulnerable. The veteran wideout is entering his eighth NFL season, totaling just 305 yards and one touchdown on 28 receptions last year—his least productive season since his rookie campaign. New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Gillette Fluharty-Imagn Images According to Kay, Bourne carries a $5.5 million base salary for 2025. Releasing him would offer the Patriots $6.3 million in cap savings with a dead-cap hit of just $1.4 million. That financial benefit, paired with the draft capital spent on more cost-efficient young receivers, makes Bourne an appealing cut candidate. Advertisement Kay also notes that Bourne's experience is beneficial to a younger group, but the Patriots should place more value on upgrading Drake Maye's supporting cast. This leaves room for emerging receivers like Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and 2025 third‑round pick Kyle Williams to showcase their talent. As training camp approaches, Bourne may need to prove his value to stay on the roster or risk being one of New England's early offseason cap casualties. However, Kay does explain that Bourne could provide value to a team that has needs help and veteran experience in their wide receiver room. Related: Two Patriots WRs Drafted in 2024 Could Be Cut This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
