Patriots Training Camp Observations: Drake Maye, Rookie Receive Snaps With Top Offense

FOXBORO, Mass. — A pair of rookies received an extended look on the New England Patriots starting offense at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye was behind a new-look offensive line for six snaps during 11-on-11 periods. It’s important to note practice was not fully padded and those 11-on-11 periods were not full-contact.

However, those six reps marked the most training camp practice reps Maye has received. The third overall pick played three snaps behind the starting offensive line during Wednesday’s practice, after playing six plays with the top group in the preseason opener.

Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt confirmed New England hoped to get Maye more snaps with the top offense. When asked why the Patriots were not able to do so, Van Pelt pointed to veteran Jacoby Brissett.

“Jacoby,” Van Pelt said. “Right now, he’s our starter.”

Brissett received every one of his 11-on-11 snaps behind the starting offensive line.

Maye, who again impressed in 7-on-7s, completed three of his four passes behind the top line. He completed passes to Ja’Lynn Polk, DeMario Douglas and rookie tight end Jaheim Bell during those first-team periods.

Here are more observations:

— Maye was not the only rookie to receive more snaps with the starting unit.

With offensive tackle Vederian Lowe reportedly dealing with an injury, rookie guard Layden Robinson was inserted into the first unit. It marked the first time Robinson, who has come on strong in recent weeks, worked with the top line. The group consisted of, from left to right, Chukwuma Okorafor, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Robinson and Mike Onwenu.

— It was the first time Okorafor saw first-team reps at left tackle in a padded practice, taking over for Lowe. It also was the most Mike Onwenu has worked at right tackle during training camp.

“That’s a work in progress, as well,” Van Pelt said about the offensive line. “We’re really still evaluating. You’ll see different lineups. Each practice you’ll see guys switch sides, go from guard to tackle, right tackle to left tackle. We’re trying to find the best five guys — maybe not the best five players, but the best five guys that work together as a unit. Right now, that’s still a work in progress.”

— Maye also worked with depth groups, as he has for the vast majority of training camp. That group consisted of, from left to right, Kellen Diesch, Michael Jordan, Nick Leverett, Liam Fornadel and Caedan Wallace. Leverett and Wallace are the only two from that group who feel like roster locks.

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— Fornadel fumbled a snap to Bailey Zappe during a scout-team period. New England has had trouble in that area throughout camp. The Patriots had a heavy dose of scout periods during the lengthy practice.

— Jalen Reagor made an impressive catch against Christian Gonzalez on a ball from Brissett.

— Maye was intercepted on his first snap of a two-minute drill. The played was broken up by safety Dell Pettus, deflected off a receiver and ended up in the arms of defensive lineman Trysten Hill.

— Pettus, who is putting himself in position to earn a roster spot, recorded another pass breakup on a dangerous throw by Brissett during a 7-on-7 period.

— Polk was busy again Thursday, catching five balls during 11-on-11 periods.

— Lowe was not the only player missing. Josh Uche, Hunter Henry, Marte Mapu, Oshane Ximines, Armon Watts, Calvin Anderson, Mitchell Wilcox and Christian Barmore all were not at practice while Kendrick Bourne, Cole Strange and Sione Takitaki remain on the physically unable to perform list.

— The Patriots will hold another practice Friday before they take on the Washington Commanders in their preseason finale Sunday night.