Patriots Training Camp Observations: How Wideouts Looked As Brandon Aiyuk Rumors Swirl

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots reportedly are trying to improve their wide receiver room.

New England has a trade framework the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to and the Patriots have offered a contract extension proposal to Brandon Aiyuk’s camp, as first reported Monday night by NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco.

When the Patriots took the practice fields for Day 11 of training camp at Gillette Stadium, it was easy to see why.

New England’s wide receivers showed flashes, as they have previously, but the group hasn’t been consistent. They haven’t looked like surefire, proven contributors. And there’s no debating a player of Aiyuk’s caliber would help in that area.

Rookie Javon Baker impressed again Tuesday with a highlight-reel touchdown grab from Jacoby Brissett. It was the play of the day. Baker beat top cornerback Christian Gonzalez for the catch in red zone 11-on-11s. Good stuff, right? Sure.

But Baker also had a ball bounce off his hands during Drake Maye’s hurry-up period, and it led to an interception by rookie cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. Baker, a fourth-round receiver, followed that up by letting Maye’s next throw go through his grasp.

Jalen Reagor stacked another day, too.

Reagor, who entered camp on the roster bubble, made an impressive toe-tapping catch on a ball from Brissett during red zone 7-on-7s. He then caught three of Maye’s four completions during an 11-on-11 period in which the rookie quarterback led the offense into the red zone. Reagor did so on a series of short curls and intermediate catches. He’s had an impressive start to camp.

That’s good news, no doubt. But it still feels like Reagor is competing for a depth spot, perhaps as the fifth or sixth receiver with Kayshon Boutte, Tyquan Thornton and JuJu Smith-Schuster. His presence doesn’t mean the Patriots should pass on Aiyuk.

Neither does the presence of veteran K.J. Osborn, who climbed the ladder for a nice catch on a Brissett deep ball in an 11-on-11 period. Neither does the presence of shifty slot man DeMario Douglas, who shook a defender out of his shoes during a red area 7-on-7 period. Douglas could argue the pass from Maye would have went for a touchdown.

But there were struggles and inconsistencies, too. Smith-Schuster dropped a pass from Maye right after Baker did. The offense fumbled the ball a handful of times and allowed multiple sacks again. Those have been on display throughout camp just as much as, and perhaps even more than, the highlights.

Those plays likely have the Patriots believing they should improve the offense.

“From Eliot and my perspective, we’re always trying to get better, no matter what position we’re talking about, no matter how those guys get here, whether it’s through cuts or through trades or whatever, we’re always looking to improve our team and win now,” Jerod Mayo said before practice.

The Patriots could do so by adding Aiyuk, who will ultimately make the decision.

Here are more observations from Day 11:

— It was a solid showing from Drake Maye. Maye went 8-for-14 during competitive periods with an interception, sack and two drops.

Maye impressed during red zone 7-on-7s, which included two perfectly-places fades at the pylon to Kayshon Boutte and Jaheim Bell.

— Brissett received more competitive reps than Maye and the rest of the quarterbacks Tuesday, including nine during the initial 11-on-11 period. Maye and Bailey Zappe each received three during that portion. Brissett was 14-for-23 during competitive periods.

He also had a fumbled snap and was sacked three times.

Brissett played behind an offensive line consisting of, from left to right, Vederian Lowe, Michael Jordan, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu and Calvin Anderson. Sidy Sow, who played left guard with that group throughout the previous 10 practices, did not participate in competitive periods.

While speaking to reporters after practice, Anderson said Sow is doing fine.

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— Matthew Judon was not a full participant. Judon took part in stretching but briefly walked off the field during the individual periods. Judon returned to the field and talked to Patriots staff members, but did not wear a helmet or participate in competitive periods.

— Kendrick Bourne, who is on the physically unable to perform list, was not on the field when Patriots players went through their stretching period. It was noteworthy given that Bourne was included in trade reports centered around Aiyuk.

Bourne did come out to the practice field later on, though. He wore a hoodie and shorts, seemingly after a workout inside the stadium.

— Joshua Uche was not a full participant either. Uche worked on a separate field at the start of practice — he was down there with Marcus Jones. Uche was back on the practice fields later on in the session, but did not participate in competitive drills.

— Tyquan Thornton said he’s been limited due to a soft tissue injury.

— The Patriots again ended practice with a field goal competition. Chad Ryland went 4-for-5 with a miss from 53 yards while Joey Slye went 3-for-4 with a miss from 49 yards.

— New England will host its first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said before practice that all healthy players are expected to play. The Patriots plan for Jacoby Brissett to start and Drake Maye to play, along with Joe Milton III and Bailey Zappe, but Mayo did not know how much they would play.