Patriots Daily

Patriots Football Daily: Impressions from Rookie Minicamp

Published

7 months ago

May 13, 2024

New England Patriots first round quarterback draft pick Drake Maye (10) throws the ball during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

The New England Patriots held their rookie minicamp over the past several days. This year’s camp was more highly anticipated than most, due to the presence of the No. 3 overall selection in the NFL Draft in attendance. The Patriots’ picks, undrafted free agent signings, and camp invites were all looking to make a positive impression. For some, the hope was to showcase they’d be ready to contribute immediately. Others hoped to stick with the squad or get signed to the 90-man roster before training camp begins.

Although it is far too early to draw any real conclusions (despite what some on social media want folks to believe) there were some interesting comments from the three-day affair. A look at what was said by, and about, a few of New England’s 2024 draft class.

Drake Maye

As a first-round pick, Maye garnered the most attention at camp. Head coach Jerod Mayo, who decides whether Maye starts or sit out of the gates, gave a blunt assessment of his rookie QB.

“He has a lot to work on,” said Mayo. “He has a lot to work on but I have no doubt that he’ll put the time in.”

Wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, New England’s second-round selection, had praise for his new quarterback.

“Guy can sling it, man. He’s very confident. He’s a leader, very vocal, man. Just trying to find ways to put his team in the best opportunity possible,” Polk said of Maye. “Great guy, man. I look forward to seeing how his future is here.”

Rookie Wide Receivers

Patriots sixth-round pick Marcellas Dial Jr. chimed in on the performance of the Patriots two wide receiver draft selections, Ja’Lynn Polk and fourth-round pick Javon Baker.

“I watched a lot of their games in college. They’re really explosive. Two guys that play with a chip on their shoulder,” Dial said of his new teammates. “Going up against them a little bit today, you can tell they know what they’re doing. They’re really fundamentally sound. And they’re confident in themselves; in their routes, and their hands, and everything that they can do on the field.”

If New England drafted well, there should be many practice battles for years.

Rookie Head Coach Too

The players weren’t the only rookies at rookie minicamp. Jerod Mayo is a veteran of such events as a player and assistant coach, but these were his first practices as a head coach. While Mayo’s comments and plans will be analyzed more here later, one comment about Mayo stood out. It came from rookie tight end Jaheim Bell, New England’s seventh-round pick.

“When I came on my visit I didn’t even know he was the head coach,” said Bell. He did not mean it as an insult. “It’s cool to be around a player like that, a player-led coach. So it’s fun just to be around a guy like that.”

Patriots rookie tight end Jaheim Bell on Jerod Mayo:

"When I came on my visit, I didn't even know he was the head coach!"

"He was like one of the players."

"It's cool to be around a coach like that."@ABC6 #NEPats pic.twitter.com/zKcBKfKUOh

— Ian Steele (@RealianSteele6) May 11, 2024

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DeMario Douglas is ready to bring energy, swagger in 2024

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Boston Bruins

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Football Fun Fact of the Day

Former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmy Johnson passed away over the weekend at age 86. He retired in 1976 having played his entired 16-year career with the 49ers. After 48 years, the only player to surpass him on San Francisco’s career interception list is Ronnie Lott, with 51. Johnson retired with 47. Both players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.