Tag: New England Patriots

Two Patriots rookies ranked in ESPN’s top-100 picks in 2024 NFL draft

Two Patriots rookies cracked ESPN’s top-100 draft picks

Two New England Patriots players cracked ESPN’s top-100 picks in the 2024 NFL draft.

Coming in at No. 20 on the list, former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, who is positioned to eventually be the new franchise face in New England, was the obvious choice on the list.

He’s has size, a strong arm, great control and the ability to make plays on the move when things break down around him. On a plain sheet of paper, he’s the blueprint of a successful NFL quarterback. His development is the only thing standing between his eventual masterpiece or train wreck.

ESPN’s Matt Miller wrote:

The Patriots are the opposite of the Bears and Vikings when it comes to the offensive surroundings, but the selection of Maye is still one of the best in the class. At just 21 years old, he has considerable talent as a thrower, mover and leader. And if New England hadn’t drafted him, he very likely still would have been selected in the top six via a trade up or by the Giants grabbing him. Maye has the toughness and poise to lead the Patriots through this rebuild.

The other top-100 player was former UCF star receiver Javon Baker, who broke the internet with his post-draft comments.

During his run in college, Baker proved he had the bite to back up his bark with 52 catches for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns at UCF last season. He has the size and big playmaking ability to emerge as an eventual No. 1 receiving option for the Patriots. The former Knight came in at No. 83 on the list.

Miller wrote:

Baker is a fantastic red-zone threat with the body control and footwork to make a mark in the NFL in his first season. He caught 52 passes for 1,139 yards and seven TDs last season. The Pats knew they needed to add playmakers and went about it over the three days of the draft.

Maye and Baker have a connection through the short time they spent together at the University of Alabama. Baker played with the Crimson Tide for two seasons, while Maye originally committed to the school before he ultimately decided to join the Tar Heels instead.

There’s hope that the reunion between the two could turn the tide from pretender to contender for a Patriots team that finished 4-13 last season.

Patrick Mahomes: Giants’ Super Bowl XLII win the greatest moment in football history

Patrick Mahomes believes the New York Giants beating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII is the greatest moment in football history.

Patrick Mahomes knows a few things about winning Super Bowls. The Kansas City Chiefs’ star quarterback has played in four of the last five big games, winning three, and collecting three MVP awards along the way.

So, what does Mahomes consider the greatest Super Bowl win/NFL moment of all time?

In a recent interview, Mahomes pulled no punches. It was the New York Giants’ 17-14 victory over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII in February 2008.

“I don’t want to start taking shots. And the one they lost with the Giants when he (David Tyree) caught the ball in the helmet,” Mahomes said in a recent appearance on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, via ClutchPoints.

“Just because that Giants team was like barely made the playoffs and then they make a run and they are huge underdogs and they end up beating probably the best — even though that they didn’t win the Super Bowl — probably the best football team of all time and that Patriots team that ends up losing that Super Bowl.”

The Patriots had just completed the league’s first — and only — 16-0 regular season and then won their two playoff games to advance to 18-0.

They would not get to 19-0. The Giants, a 12.5-point underdog who ran the table in the NFC Playoffs with three wins on the road, were supposed to play patsy to Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and New England.

Instead, the Giants ended up playing the biggest spoiler in NFL history with a devastating pass rush that flustered Brady along with some help from the football gods.

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Joe Milton III details phone call with Patriots owner Robert Kraft

Joe Milton opens up on his phone call with Patriots owner Robert Kraft

New England Patriots rookie quarterback Joe Milton III is ready to make a strong impression with the organization. He opened up about what his first phone call was like with the organization in an interview with football analyst Coach Hayes.

Milton was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round with the 193rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Now, he will get a chance to compete in the quarterback room with third overall pick Drake Maye. Milton seems to be open to competition, as the Patriots offense is undergoing a complete rebuild.

Milton has one particular football trait that stands out from the rest, however. And it even caught owner Robert Kraft’s attention.

“He was just talking about [how] he’s just ready to see my arm talent in person. He heard that I had the strongest arm in the draft. I said, ‘Nah, I got the strongest arm in the country,’” said Milton. “…He’s just ready to see that in person and see me compete. Because they drafted Drake Maye third pick overall, so he’s ready to see me compete with him.”

It sounds like both quarterbacks in the room are ready to prove themselves, as New England looks to find stability at the quarterback position for the first time in the post-Tom Brady era.

At the very least, Milton appears to be hungry and motivated to prove he’s more than just a sixth-round pick.

Patriots LB Matthew Judon loves confidence of rookie wide receiver

Matthew Judon wants Javon Baker to be himself in New England

Matthew Judon wants rookie wide receiver Javon Baker to be himself when he joins the New England Patriots’ locker room.

Baker did not lack swagger after he was drafted. He immediately delivered a memorable quote, as the UCF product looks to make a name for himself in the NFL.

“Bring your popcorn. I make people in wheelchairs stand up,” Baker told Patriots fans.

Judon loves the swagger that Baker brings to the table, as the Patriots look to reignite an offense that ranked 30th in the NFL last year. Baker, alongside rookie Ja’Lynn Polk, could help bring stability to the wide receiver unit once again.

“Don’t do that for the public and the media and then come in here with your backpack on, having your head down,” Judon said, when appearing on “The Money Down” podcast, via NESN.com’s Jason Ounpraseuth. “What is that, man? You just told people in a wheelchair to stand up. Come on, man. Be that, because if you can’t be comfortable at your job, it’s just going to get awkward and you’re going to stop liking the game.”

The swagger of Baker will certainly be a refreshing change on the Patriots’ roster. It’s becoming very clear that the new regime will not do things the same way as the old one.

Hopefully, Baker will be able to produce and back up his proclamations.

Drake Maye named one of 15 instant-impact rookies by USA TODAY

Will UNC stadnout Drake Maye play up to standards of the NFL Draft’s third overall pick?

Just over one week removed from the NFL draft, we’re starting to see rookies fit in with their new teams.

Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze look ecstatic in early pictures. The Chicago Bears’ top-10 draft picks are hoping to become the NFL’s next great quarterback-receiver combo. We’re starting to learn how funny Keon Coleman is through Instagram videos.

One rookie who gave an outstanding first impression was former UNC standout quarterback Drake Maye, whom the New England Patriots selected third overall. Maye, the 2022 ACC Player and Rookie of the Year, gives the former dynasty a significant upgrade from Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones.

Maye, who threw for 8,018 yards, 63 touchdowns, ran for 1,209 more yards and 16 more scores, was named one of USA TODAY’s 15 instant-impact rookies.

“This is chiefly a matter of obligation,” Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. “Maye is the only one of the top three picks who’s not a lock to begin the season as the starter. There might be reason to keep Jacoby Brissett in the lineup for a solid stretch, too, as a still-underwhelming collection of skill-position talent could prove problematic for Maye’s acclimation to the pro level. Still, the eventual installation of the 6-4, 223-pounder into the lineup will mark a new day for a New England offense that lacked a true catalyst in the Mac Jones years. Highlights are sure to follow given Maye’s rare arm strength and ability to attack defenses on the move. Just don’t expect a robust overall body of work right away.”

Learning from Brissett, the former NC State quarterback who has a proven track record of success as an NFL starter, wouldn’t be the worst thing for Maye. I have no doubt Maye could succeed as a Day 1 starter, but we’ve seen how that has worked out for rookies in the past (i.e. Zach Wilson).

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Mike Onwenu comments on positional plans for him in 2024

Mike Onwenu expects to stay at right tackle in 2024

New England Patriots offensive lineman Mike Onwenu, who spoke with media members on Thursday, still expects to be playing right tackle in the 2024 season.

This is certainly a good development for the offensive line, as Onwenu has become one of the best right tackles in all of football. He did show his versatility as well last season, as he had four starts at right guard to begin the year. He made the 11 other starts at the right tackle position.

This could open the door for rookie Caedan Wallace or Chuks Okorafor at the left tackle spot. Wallace was drafted by the Patriots in the third round with the 68th overall pick, while Okorafor was signed as a free agent in March.

“Throughout the whole process, we spoke about me playing tackle. Even after I signed, that was still the same thing. So, under my notion, I’m playing right tackle,” Onwenu said.

New England will be looking to find stability on an offensive line that allowed 48 sacks in 2023. It sounds like things are taking shape in that regard.

Devin McCourty says Jerod Mayo tried to get him to join coaching staff

Devin McCourty says he was offered a coaching opportunity

Former New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty revealed Patriots coach Jerod Mayo offerered him a position on the staff.

McCourty currently works for NBC Sports, after retiring from the NFL in 2023.

Mayo created a buzz this week when he said he would welcome Tom Brady on his coaching staff in New England. As it stands right now, the Patriots currently have two former players as assistant coaches in inside linebackers coach Dont’a Hightower and assistant wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood.

McCourty respectfully declined Mayo’s offer, for now.

“I’m old and washed up. He tried to get me to coach,” McCourty told Kay Adams on “Up & Adams”. “That’s his thing with all the older guys. He said, ‘I don’t know if they’ll walk in back playing, but we got a spot for them on the staff.’ But nah, those hours aren’t meant for my life right now.”

McCourty would certainly bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the coaching staff, as the safety remained a staple on the Patriots defensive unit for many years.

He still remains close with Mayo to this day. However, the time isn’t right for him to return as a coach right now. But in the future, who knows?

Patriots go offense in first round again in early ESPN 2025 NFL mock draft

ESPN’s Jordan Reid has the focus staying on offense for the Patriots in an early 2025 NFL mock draft

We are less than a full week out from the end of the 2024 NFL draft, and mock drafts are already being put out for 2025. ESPN’s Jordan Reid has the New England Patriots selecting highly once again in his recent mock draft.

The Patriots overhauled the offensive unit over the course of three days, and they are projected to do the same in 2025. Reid has New England selecting Will Campbell from LSU with the No. 3 overall pick.

The offensive tackle measures in at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds. He played in 17 games last season and was named to the 2023 All-SEC First-Team by the coaches. He was also voted to the 2023 All-SEC Second-Team.

The Patriots did upgrade the line a bit in this year’s draft, with Penn State tackle Caedan Wallace and Texas A&M guard Layden Robinson both in the fold now. Nevertheless, adding even more protection for rookie quarterback Drake Maye is never a bad idea.

Reid wrote:

The Patriots’ starting left tackle this season will likely be Chukwuma Okorafor. He’s on a one-year deal, meaning New England should be searching for a long-term solution to protect the blind side of Drake Maye. Campbell is a technician who plays with poise, displaying the foot quickness and balance to mirror and match defenders in pass protection. He has played only left tackle during his career at LSU (1,625 total snaps) and didn’t allow any sacks last season.

Left tackle was one of the biggest needs for the Patriots heading into this year’s draft. The offensive line struggled last season, and protecting the quarterback should be of the utmost importance.

With that said, let’s hope the Patriots aren’t in the position to be picking third overall again.

Javon Baker says there’s ‘no way’ 10 rookie WRs are better than him

Javon Baker clearly isn’t happy about seeing 10 other receivers get drafted before him

Javon Baker is determined to make the rest of the NFL pay for overlooking him on the draft board.

The New England Patriots’ rookie receiver was taken at No. 110 overall in the fourth round behind 17 other receivers. After being drafted, Baker could be seen on video saying other teams were going to pay for it taking so long for him to be drafted.

In a recent video, he seemed surprised that so many receivers were taken ahead of him.

“No way in [expletive] America 10 receivers better than me. You’re out of your [expletive] mind,” said Baker.

The Patriots selected Ja’Lynn Polk with the No. 37 overall pick in the second round before double dipping at receiver for Baker later. The hope is that Polk and Baker can help uplift a Patriots receiving corps that’s been struggling since Tom Brady was under center.

An argument can be made that the former UCF standout could develop into a true No. 1 receiver for New England, if he reaches his ceiling. The fact that he was the 18th receiver taken off the draft board might be the fuel needed for him to get there.

Patriots sign recently released Jaguars kicker

Patriots sign former Jaguars kicker Joey Slye

The Patriots have signed recently released former Jaguars kicker Joey Slye, New England announced on Thursday. Contract terms were not immediately made available.

Jacksonville signed Slye in March but cut him on Tuesday, alongside wide receiver Zay Jones, as the Jaguars finalized their 90-man roster with nine draft picks and 13 undrafted free agent signings.

One of Jacksonville’s 2024 draft selections was Arkansas kicker Cam Little, at No. 212 overall in the sixth round, a move that sealed Slye’s fate with the team.

Before signing with the Jaguars, Slye kicked in the regular season for Carolina, Houston, San Francisco and Washington over five seasons. He’s converted 121-of-147 (82.3%) of his career field goal attempts and is 138-of-156 (88.5%) on extra-point tries.

Little, the youngest kicker ever drafted at 20 years, eight months and 10 days old, joins Jacksonville after receiving First-Team All-SEC and Freshman All-American and All-SEC honors over his three-year stint with Arkansas.

A three-year starter for the Razorbacks, Little went 53-of-64 (82.8%) on field goal attempts and a perfect 129-of-129 on extra-point attempts. His career-long field goal in a game is currently 56 yards.

Jacksonville originally agreed to terms with kicker Wil Lutz, who was traded to Denver from New Orleans before the 2023 season during the NFL’s legal tampering period on March 11. Lutz reversed course, though, and re-signed with the Broncos later that day.

Following a career-turnaround year in 2023, when he connected on 88.2% of his field goal attempts after missing the 2021 season with an injury and struggling in 2022, it’s fair to wonder if Jacksonville would have coveted a kicker in the 2024 draft had Lutz stuck to the agreement.

Instead, Little will trot out as the Jaguars’ starting kicker in Week 1.