New England Patriots DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (illness) returned to practice on Thursday, but rookie wideout Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) is still not on the practice field as the team continues preparing to face the division-rival Buffalo Bills in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday. None of New England's receivers have been reliable fantasy contributors in one of the league's lowest-scoring offenses in 2024. The Patriots can secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft if they lose on Sunday, so they probably won't rush any injured skill players onto the field this weekend. In his second year in the NFL, Boutte has improved with a 36-472-2 line on 61 targets over 14 games (12 starts). Polk, meanwhile, has been much less involved as a rookie, catching 12 of 33 targets for only 87 yards and two TDs in 15 games (seven starts).

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt announced on Thursday that rookie quarterback Drake Maye (hand) will start on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Van Pelt also said the intent is for Maye to play the entire game. The 22-year-old first-rounder was limited by a hand injury in practice on Wednesday, but he'll be good to go this weekend. The Patriots would secure the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft if they lose to a Bills team that is expected to play mostly backups, but New England wants to get Maye out there for one more game in what has mostly been a learning experience in his first year in the NFL. The third overall pick has completed 66.8% of his pass attempts for 2,276 yards, 15 TDs and 10 interceptions in 12 games (11 starts). He'll be a QB2 with upside in Year 2, but the Pats need to add more playmakers around him.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (right hand) was limited during Wednesday's practice. The rookie reportedly injured one of his fingers during last Saturday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Maye is expected to recover in time for Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills, and he's in line to start after head coach Jerod Mayo indicated all of New England's healthy starters would play. Nevertheless, it's an interesting story to monitor given that the Patriots would clinch the No. 1 draft pick with a loss on Sunday but could drop as low as No. 5 if they win. There has been ongoing speculation that the Patriots could rest Maye to preserve his health and secure the top pick, but as of now, it sounds like Mayo is going to roll out his starters in hopes of a Week 18 victory.

New England Patriots wide receivers Kayshon Boutte (illness) and Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. Boutte has been heavily involved lately, commanding 23 targets over his last four games. His absence from practice is concerning, but the good news is that players are typically able to recover from illnesses within a few days, so Boutte has a real chance to recover in time for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Polk's status is a little more murky after he injured his shoulder in the middle of last week's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The rookie has been quite underwhelming, catching just 12 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns while struggling with drops. Fantasy managers invested in the statuses of either Boutte or Polk should check back Thursday to see if either receiver can improve to limited or full.

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (foot) logged a limited session in the team's first practice of the week. Henry hurt his foot in Week 17's blowout loss -- a 40-7 rout against his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers. He commanded just two targets and participated in only 30 snaps in the loss. Both figures are season-lows, and it was the first outing he did not record a catch all year. That he could at least practice in a limited capacity is a boon to his outlook for Week 18. However, seeing him elevate his practice status over the next few days would be good. The Patriots will host the visiting Buffalo Bills in a divisional clash this Sunday. As the game is meaningless for both squads, it's possible that if the veteran TE is closer to the wrong side of questionable, he's rested anyway. Keep an eye on him as the week closes out.