New England Patriots DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions during Sunday's preseason finale against the Washington Commanders. He also had a deep touchdown pass that was nullified due to an offensive line penalty. Furthermore, Maye rushed three times for 17 yards in the contest. The No. 3 overall pick has progressively improved throughout his three preseason games, and when Jacoby Brissett (shoulder) exited Sunday's game early, Maye took full advantage of the extra reps. The Patriots' 2024 outlook is bleak, but it seems like the team may have a solid quarterback prospect in Maye. Now, all eyes will be on head coach Jerod Mayo as he names a starting quarterback, presumably within the next week. Brissett had been the early favorite to start Week 1, but Maye has made quite the push for that job lately. As soon as Maye is named the starter, he'll become a high-end QB3 for redraft purposes.

Alex Barth reports that New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Javon Baker seems to have fallen out of the top receiver rotation for the Patriots. Selected in the fourth round of this past April's NFL Draft, Baker isn't making plays as regularly as he was at the start of training camp. Barth reports that "based on his practice reps, it doesn't look like he'll have a big role in the offense once the season starts." Given the shaky depth of the Patriots' receiver room, it looked like Baker could work his way into the regular rotation, but it's not looking that way now. Baker looks like he's on the outside looking in for regular work heading into Week 1, so you can leave him undrafted in seasonal fantasy formats. If an injury strikes, Baker could be somebody to watch.

New England Patriots rookie first-round quarterback Drake Maye took a big step on Wednesday as he took his reps with the projected starting offense during padded practices and competitive drills at training camp. In any of the first 17 practices, Maye took zero reps with that projected starting unit. Maye did not throw a pass with that unit, but getting on the field with that grouping was the next step for his development. While it's looking more likely that veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett will begin the season as the Patriots' starting quarterback, the third-overall pick Maye should eventually take over at some point in 2024. For fantasy circles, Maye offers plenty of mobility and a strong arm, so he should be considered on the waiver wire once he's tabbed to start this season for New England.

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said that both quarterbacks Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett will play in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Washington Commanders as they continue their QB battle. Brissett entered training camp as the favorite to win the starting job under center to kick off the 2024 season, but he has struggled in two preseason games, while Maye looked much better last week. How each QB fares this weekend against Washington figures to decide the competition. Brissett has more experience in the NFL, but Maye, the third overall pick in this year's NFL draft, is much more mobile and has a stronger arm for downfield throws. Even if Maye doesn't win the starting job heading into Week 1, the 21-year-old figures to be starting games for New England sooner than later in 2024.

New England Patriots rookie tight end Jaheim Bell suddenly found himself at the top of the depth chart early this week with Hunter Henry (lower body) and Austin Hooper (undisclosed) held out of practice and Mitchell Wilcox (calf) leaving practice early with his injury. Bell has taken a lot of reps and caught touchdowns from three different quarterbacks as he is making the most of the opportunity on the field with several tight ends ahead of him out for recent practice sessions. While Bell should not be drafted in fantasy football for 2024, he could be somebody to keep an eye on if injuries continue to strike the tight end room. The 23-year-old from Florida State should get plenty of work in the Patriots' final preseason game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday night.