Patriots quarterback Drake Maye played two series in each of the first preseason games.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye played two series in each of the first preseason games.Craig Lassig/Associated Press
FOXBOROUGH — Notes and observations from the Patriots’ final practice before heading to New Jersey for their third and final preseason game . . .
⋅ Quarterback Drake Maye took on a heavier workload with significant team-period snaps, which could be a sign that he will not suit up Thursday night against the Giants.
Maye played two series in each of the previous two preseason games, but coach Mike Vrabel said Monday that this week’s practice reps would inform him for personnel decisions on Thursday.
The highlight of the day came on a deep ball from Maye to wide receiver Mack Hollins, who reached out to make a one-handed grab over cornerback Carlton Davis. Hollins, at 6 feet 4 inches and 221 pounds, has shown the benefits of his size lately, as he also reeled in multiple high passes from Maye during the preseason game against the Vikings.
⋅ The Patriots still appear to be experimenting with combinations on the offensive line. Practice began with rookie Jared Wilson as the starting left guard and center Garrett Bradbury as the starting center, but swing interior lineman Ben Brown rotated in at both positions.
Asked Saturday when he would like to have his starting offensive line finalized, Vrabel said the team doesn’t have a timeline and is going to wait until “it becomes clear.”
“It didn’t before and I don’t think it has yet,” Vrabel said Saturday. “We’ll still keep working and trying to get the best group in there, and also get guys that are versatile and can help us behind them. Very rarely are you going to play the same five throughout the 17-game season and, hopefully, whatever comes after that. Just trying to get a good solid group of offensive linemen established as the first unit, but then also have some really good pieces behind them.”
Pass protection has emerged as a recurring issue, with the offensive line again ceding heavy pressure in Tuesday’s practice. The defense registered at least five “sacks” during the 11-on-11 period, with linebacker Robert Spillane, safety Jabrill Peppers, defensive end Christian Barmore, and outside linebacker Harold Landry among those who got to Maye.
⋅ Although wide receiver Stefon Diggs took a few reps with backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs for the first time in training camp, that usage is more a reflection of New England’s depth at the position rather than a demotion. Javon Baker and Efton Chism, who typically work with Dobbs, did not practice for the second straight day. Neither did Kyle Williams, Ja’Lynn Polk, or Kendrick Bourne.
⋅ Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams said he feels “great” after experiencing a health scare that kept him away from the team throughout the spring.
“I’m ready to go,” Williams said. “That’s why I’m here.”
Williams did not want to go into detail, calling the situation “irrelevant.” There was some concern earlier this month when Williams didn’t finish a practice and left the field, but the team issued a statement saying he was treated for dehydration.
“I know people were worried about what happened on the field,” Williams said. “Really, I was dehydrated. That could happen to you. Drink water. That’s what you learn from that.”
⋅ Not only are the Patriots monitoring contract situations across the league, they’re also fielding calls from teams potentially interested in their players.
“You have assets that people are inquiring to you about,” vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden said. “Take stock of how that affects your team. Are you deep enough at a position to be able to move on from that player? What’s their offer going to be? The back and forth between those two things, whether it’s inquiring or whether it’s somebody else calling us to inquire about our own, I think that’s constant communication within our staff.”
Among the players the Patriots would likely consider trading are safety Kyle Dugger, linebacker Anfernee Jennings, and Bourne. Dugger and Jennings played late into the second preseason game, while other receivers have outplayed Bourne, even prior to the injury that has sidelined him for nearly three weeks.
It can be difficult to gauge the market for these players, given various factors (e.g. How much of Dugger’s contract can the Patriots offload? How severe is Bourne’s injury?). Plus, just one injury could impact New England’s willingness to part with a player, as well as a potential suitor’s interest.
“With any player, [the market] is going to change based off of a potential team’s needs,” Cowden said. “Those could change within a practice, within the last game. They’re not static. Neither are the rosters. As that changes, the market could change for anyone.”
The front office will handle a high volume of players in the coming days, as it trims the roster to 53 while keeping an eye on which bubble players might become available elsewhere.
“Can we be incrementally better at any one spot?” Cowden said. “That’s the goal.”
⋅ Outside linebackers coach Mike Smith gave a strong endorsement of undrafted rookie Elijah Ponder, calling him “one of the best undrafted free agent pickups” he’s ever seen.
“If you look at his athletic ability, it’s off the charts,” Smith said. “He’s a big rusher. He moves great in space. He’s not scared to go put his face right down the middle, like you saw in the game. He’s got this very rare ability of picking up things quickly and looking like he’s done it from Day 1, which is remarkable.”
Smith, who previously worked in Minnesota, Green Bay, and Kansas City, repeatedly praised Ponder’s movement, stressing his efficiency. Smith still gets goosebumps from a play in the second preseason game where Ponder got chipped and exhibited “no wasted movement.”
The high praise seems to bode well for Ponder’s chances of making the team.
“I’m fired about that kid,” Smith said.
⋅ The kicking competition remains fierce, with Andres Borregales and Parker Romo each connecting on all five of their field goal attempts. The tries ranged from 33 to 50 yards.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.