Patriots minicamp notes: Drake Maye’s improvement is ‘significant’

Patriots minicamp notes: Drake Maye’s improvement is ‘significant’ originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston

Drake Maye still has a lot of work to do this summer. But at least the New England Patriots rookie quarterback appears to be on the right track.

The Patriots wrapped up their mandatory minicamp on Wednesday with a practice session outside Gillette Stadium. Although minicamp was originally scheduled for three days (June 10-12), the team canceled its field session on Tuesday to hold a “Community Day” in which players participated in several community service events.

Wednesday’s session was the Patriots’ last organized workout before training camp in late July, and by many reports, Maye made the most of it.

Here’s everything you need to know about Maye’s performance and other notable takeaways from Wednesday’s minicamp practice, based on observations from our Tom E. Curran It is Phil Perry:

Attendance

Wide receivers Tyquan Thornton and Kendrick Bourne were notable absences on Wednesday. Here is a full list of players missing from training, by Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.

The following players were present at Wednesday’s session, but on a limited basis: defensive lineman Davon Godchaux, cornerback Marcus Jones, rookie wide receiver Javon Baker, outside linebacker Josh Uche and cornerback Jonathan Jones.

Rookie duo involved in controversial TD

The Patriots’ final practice ended with a bit of drama.

On the final snap of an 11-on-11 session in the red zone, rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk elevated to catch a pass from Maye in the end zone for an apparent touchdown. But there was some debate about whether Polk was within limits.

“A referee determines a score immediately,” Perry noted. “The referees get together. The entire offense surrounds them. Score confirmed. The defense is upset, they have to do push-ups.”

Cornerback Jonathan Jones was not happy with the referees’ decision…

…Although Polk, unsurprisingly, had a different interpretation of events.

Drake Maye showing ‘significant’ improvement

If you ask Curran, Maye has made notable positive strides since taking the field for rookie minicamp in late May.

“Two brilliant TD plays in consecutive 11-on-11 red zone series from Drake Maye,” Curran wrote of Maye’s performance on Wednesday. “First to Kayshon Boutte. Second to diver Ja’Lynn Polk.

“The improvement has been significant since we saw him at the beginning of rookie minicamp.”

Maye went through the expected growing pains, including an up and down day on OTAs last week. It still wouldn’t be surprising if he started the season on the bench behind veteran QB Jacoby Brissett.

However, the 21-year-old appears to be learning things quickly: Curran and Perry noticed Maye had his “best day” of training on Mondayfollowed by another strong showing on Wednesday.

The question now is whether Maye can carry that momentum into training camp and the preseason. To that end, it appears he will remain in the New England area to train with some of his fellow rookies.

A new position for a rookie forward?

Offensive guard Layden Robinson, the Patriots’ No. 103 overall pick (fourth round) in the 2024 NFL Draft, spent time throwing the ball to Maye in Wednesday’s practice, by Perry.

“Viewed in some league circles as a guard-only player before the draft, he may be trying to see if he can develop some versatility,” Perry wrote of Robinson.

Robinson may also be thinking long-term: New England’s current starting center, 31-year-old David Andrews, briefly contemplated his future as a player before returning for the Patriots’ tenth season.

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Dilute broad receptor group

Bourne and Thornton missed Wednesday’s minicamp session and, according to Perry, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster appears to be physically limited as well.

Boutte had a strong day in many respects, but his status for the 2024 season is still unclear after he was arrested on illegal sports betting charges in January. Wide receiver was a significant weakness for the Patriots last season, and barring any major additions this summer, it won’t necessarily be a position of strength in 2024 either.