New England Patriots

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) didn't play in the team's second preseason game on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles and remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list in training camp with just a few weeks until the start of the 2024 regular season in early September. Bourne suffered a torn ACL in his right knee last October and has yet to practice with the team this summer. At this point, it would be a surprise if the 29-year-old were ready for Week 1, and with either quarterback Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye running the offense in 2024, Bourne's fantasy stock has plummeted drastically he had a career-high 800 receiving yards back in 2021. The longer Bourne remains out, the more opportunities open up for rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker and Demario Douglas and KJ Osborn, among others.

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said that "the competition isn't over" for the starting quarterback job in Week 1 of the regular season between veteran Jacoby Brissett and rookie first-rounder Drake Maye. Mayo said that Maye has made strides, but he wants to see the whole operation be faster with Maye running the show. Maye has gone 8-for-14 for 66 yards and a rushing score in two preseason games to this point, while Brissett has gone 3-for-10 for only 17 yards and an interception. It's possible that the 21-year-old rookie will get more reps with the first-team offense in training camp practices before the final preseason contest next week. Brissett is still probably the favorite to start in Week 1, but he's probably not going to be able to hold off Maye for long if he continues to play like he has in the preseason.

New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker was targeted four times during Thursday's preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but he finished the contest with just one catch for 12 yards. Even though the rookie's production was limited, fantasy managers should pay most attention to the fact that he tied for the team lead in targets. All four of the passes thrown his way came from rookie Drake Maye, who saw the field in the second and third quarters. Baker is worth a late-round pick in deeper fantasy leagues given that he could still carve out a meaningful role in the Patriots' offense this season.

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte turned four targets into three catches for 23 yards during Thursday's preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. His longest play was a 13-yard reception. Boutte was the Patriots' most productive pass-catcher in the contest, leading the team in receptions and yards while tying for the most targets. The second-year receiver likely isn't going to be a fantasy weapon in 2024, but this performance should still be highlighted as it gives Boutte a stronger chance of making the roster and carving out a role down the stretch.

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 18 yards on six carries during Thursday's preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He was not targeted in the passing game. Stevenson, of course, saw all of his reps come with the first-team offense. Even though he only played in the first quarter, he led the Patriots in touches and rushing yards. Fantasy managers can't (and shouldn't) take too much stock in Stevenson's appearance Thursday, but it does bear mentioning that his quarterback situation is still a bit murky as Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye continue to battle for the starting job. Regardless of which quarterback gets the bulk of the reps in 2024, Stevenson should be heavily involved both on the ground and in the passing attack.