FOXBORO, Massachusetts — The outcome of Thursday night’s exhibition game is not as important as it is how different position groupings performed, much like a lot of this season for the New England Patriots. Drake Maye’s appearance is important to the Patriots both during and after the preseason.
In the team’s 14–13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Jerod Mayo gave fans their first in-depth glimpse of the powerful rookie after allowing the No. 3 pick to play just six snaps in the preseason opener.
Let us start with Maye as we examine who made an impression on Thursday, both positively and negatively.
Risers
QB Drake Maye
With one rushing touchdown and 6-of-11 passing for 47 yards, the stat line was not very noteworthy. However, Maye passed the vision test and performed admirably for a rookie quarterback selected in the first round.
Maye handled the offense effectively, displayed his athleticism, and threw some fantastic deep balls that were obviously supposed to be caught in what was perhaps his best performance since being drafted (more on the offending player in the “fallers” section).
Undoubtedly, it was not flawless. Maye usually misses passes that are too high in this situation. However, he did a good job of navigating the pocket, and his ability to scramble is a big asset behind a poor offensive line. He made a good zone-read keeper for his touchdown, and he moved effectively to extend plays while maintaining his downfield vision.
First @NFL TD 👏@DrakeMaye2 | #NEPats
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 16, 2024
📺: @wbzsports pic.twitter.com/rDzGw6MwtI
Was that sufficient to start the first week? Most likely not. However, this was a significant advancement for Maye.
WR Jalen Reagor
This season, the NFL modified the kickoff regulations to improve player safety and produce more thrilling plays. This implies that there is a greater chance for a returner to even make the roster.
Reagor gave viewers a reminder on Thursday night as to why he is the front-runner to join the Patriots. Reagor only got two returns, but he performed admirably on both of them. He returned a punt 15 yards and demonstrated his explosiveness by returning a kickoff 32 yards.
Reagor’s position as a receiver will probably be restricted if he makes the squad, but he did demonstrate some skill with a nice catch in the red zone on the offense’s second drive.
LB Raekwon McMillan
Despite two season-ending injuries in the previous three years, the Patriots have not given up on McMillan, a second-round choice in 2017.
This is due to the fact that he has produced plays while on the field this summer. When he charged from his linebacker position to tackle running back Kenneth Gainwell behind the line of scrimmage late in the first quarter, he demonstrated that.
“He’s done a great job shooting through holes on defense and special teams,” Mayo said on the team’s broadcast. “He just has to stay healthy. We’re expecting a lot from him.”
WR David Wallis
Wallis, an undrafted rookie out of Division III Randolph-Macon (Va.) College, is not having a good time with the roster squeeze. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old continues to appear and perform.
Wallis’s outstanding performances continue to put pressure on Reagor, even if the team’s kick returner has not done anything to jeopardize his position. Wallis returned his first kickoff attempt 53 yards, one week after making a 24-yard return on a punt in the preseason opener.
David Wallis returns it past midfield on the kick return!
— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2024
📺: #PHIvsNE on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/WPP6lUOZbd
Wallis needs to improve in order to move up the wide receiver depth chart after miscommunicating with Joe Milton on a third down in the fourth quarter. It did not help his situation when he mishandled a punt in the fourth quarter either.
In the worst case scenario, though, he would be a fantastic backup returner on the practice squad.
Fallers
QB Jacoby Brissett
There are several reasons why the Patriots are fond of Brissett as their starting quarterback, but ball security may be the most important. Brissett has been among the NFL’s finest quarterbacks at avoiding interceptions since his arrival.
But he had some decision-making lapses Thursday night.
The first-team offense’s best drive was ruined on the second drive when Brissett’s ball to Austin Hooper was easily intercepted in the end zone. On one dropback, Brissett also slipped and let Demario Douglas’ pass bounce off his hands, almost resulting in another pick. Two three-and-outs and the interception marked the conclusion of his three drives.
Brissett finished 3-of-7 passing for 17 yards.
WR Javon Baker
It is not taken long to realize that Baker is almost a boom or bust. On Thursday, the majority was the latter.
Maye threw a good deep ball, but Baker lost his bearings and was easily shoved out of bounds early in his route, therefore the ball was never able to be completed. Throughout camp, there has been a clear issue for him.
A big gain for the offense was thwarted in the second half when Maye’s greatest throw of the game landed just short of Baker’s extended arms.
Although Baker was given a pass interference penalty, he still needs to improve his consistency when throwing deep passes.
Gotta make this catch pic.twitter.com/pwWdFUCWrb
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 16, 2024
LT Vederian Lowe
While Lowe’s performance was not particularly impressive, there are not many high expectations for the team’s starting left tackle. More than any other offensive lineman, he was also the victim of a false start penalty, the only other infraction from the starting group, and the sack that occurred in the third quarter and caused Maye to be crushed from his blind side.
The incorrect starts are starting to cause problems. Lowe frequently breaks off the line just before the ball is snapped, similar to certain other offensive tackles, but it is usually too late to result in a penalty. (Last season, Chiefs tackle Jawaan Taylor frequently did this.)
Lowe has been called for moving too early throughout sessions and now during a game, suggesting that he is still working on the skill.
CB Marcellas Dial
There is no assurance that a sixth-round pick will make the team, and Dial is fighting for a position among a crowded group of cornerbacks.
His Thursday performance did not support his claims. On several occasions, including the Eagles’ game-winning two-point convert late in the fourth quarter, Dial was soundly defeated.
On the depth chart, Dial is ranked after Alex Austin, Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, and Marco Wilson. He must play better in the last preseason game the following weekend, or else he may have to pray that the Patriots carry over more than five cornerbacks on their 53-man roster.
(Photo: Eric Canha / USA Today)
