The Patriots wrapped up their three weeks of voluntary organized team activities practices and now are onto mandatory minicamp before taking a six-week break.
Let’s preview minicamp with the latest installment of a Patriots mailbag.
#### @DrakeMayeForMVP: How has Maye looked after the 4 INT day?
Most importantly: improved.
Growing pains are natural with a new offensive coordinator in a new offense, and I think that’s what we were seeing early on with Drake Maye during OTAs, when he threw four interceptions in his first eight passing attempts in the first spring practice open to the media.
Since then, Maye avoided turnovers in the second OTA session open to reporters, though he still struggled with accuracy. On Monday, in the Patriots’ third open practice of the spring, Maye was 14-of-16, didn’t throw any interceptions and started to connect deep late in the session.
Maye will likely struggle again at some point this spring or summer as he takes new approaches under McDaniels, but it’s nice to see some early development from Maye in Year 2.
#### @NEPatriot\_USA: With McDaniels back and with a very versatile and athletic set of WRs – anyone who can throw the ball too – ala Jakoby Meyers, Edelman, etc?
Yes, actually. Patriots third-round pick Kyle Williams was the starting quarterback at Hawthorne High School in Southern California during his junior season before moving to wide receiver.
Fun fact: Four of The Beach Boys – Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, and Al Jardine – went to Hawthorne High School. Patriots linebacker Marte Mapu also went to Hawthorne.
Williams is a lefty passer who was 127-of-220 for 2,114 yards with 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2018. He then transferred to St. Monica Catholic High where he switched positions to wide receiver.
#### @javonsburner: A lot of people are taking about what receivers get cut. But I’m questioning the RB position. Rhamondre and Treveyon are locks, but what are the chances Gibson is cut and Larison makes the team as rb3/special teams player?
The Patriots kept five running backs (Rex Burkhead, Brandon Bolden, Mike Gillislee, Dion Lewis and James White) for the 2017 season. So, I don’t think it’s an either/or situation with Antonio Gibson and undrafted free agent Lan Larison.
That being said, I haven’t seen anything that would indicate that Larison would be kept over Gibson.
#### @TheChowdaCrowd: Will TreVeyon Henderson get most of the RB1 work load?
That wouldn’t be my expectation at this point. It looks like Rhamondre Stevenson will be the starting running back, though obviously things can change if Henderson looks better or if Stevenson’s ball-security issues continue.
There are people in the organization who believe Henderson can be a three-down running back, but given his size, he might need to prove it first. He’s 5-foot-10, 202 pounds, which is typically the body type for a third-down back in McDaniels’ offense. The Patriots have used undersized running backs on early downs in the past however, with Lewis and Danny Woodhead being prime examples.
I would expect Henderson to be a change-of-pace back early in his career, but I believe he has the potential to be a starter.
#### @RavDiss\_: Any foresight for Drake Maye designed runs in 2025? Sleeper MVP candidate if he gets these from McDaniels
Nothing so far during OTAs, but McDaniels used Cam Newton on a ton of designed runs during the 2020 season. Newton ran the ball 137 times, and only 20 of those were scrambles. I can’t imagine Maye having 117 designed runs this season; he had nine last season.
#### @jabo1331: What is an under the radar position battle we should pay more attention to?
Linebacker and safety.
Robert Spillane will be one starting linebacker, and then it appears Jahlani Tavai (who injured his calf on Monday) and Christian Elliss will be competing for the other spot. But even beyond them, you have Jack Gibbens and Monty Rice (both of whom have played for head coach Mike Vrabel) competing with Cam Riley and Marte Mapu for roster spots.
And then at safety, you have a crowded group of Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marcus Epps, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler and Josh Minkins competing for five or six spots.
#### @DavidFallon954: I keep hearing the Pats will probably have to make a decision on Boutte or Bourne. Do you think one has the edge over the other?
I wouldn’t necessarily narrow it down to Kayshon Boutte or Kendrick Bourne. Beyond Stefon Diggs, Kyle Williams and Mack Hollins, it feels like everyone else is competing for a roster spot at wide receiver between Bourne, Boutte, Javon Baker, Demeer Blankumsee, Efton Chism, DeMario Douglas, John Jiles, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jeremiah Webb.
Bourne has a better track record and experience under McDaniels, but Boutte is younger and looked like the better player last season. I don’t think one has the edge at this point.
#### @RickJuan3: If things are going well this season, but the patriots feel they need 1 more piece on offense or defense. Based on 2026 Free agents, who do you think can shake free via trade that can put the patriots over the hump to make a deep playoff run?
There are some good wide receivers in contract years, including Terry McLaurin, Mike Evans, Courtland Sutton and Jakobi Meyers. I’d start looking there.
Some decent tackles could hit free agency, as well.