Drake Maye entered the NFL with minimal support, facing a weak offensive line and an uninspiring wide receiver group. The Patriots upgraded the receiving corps with Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins and added rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, who brings breakaway speed and a significant offensive role. Eliot Wolf prioritized roster construction to maximize Maye's chances, and Maye earned Pro Bowl alternate recognition as a rookie despite poor surrounding talent. Rookie offensive linemen Will Campbell and Jared Wilson performed well in preseason, bolstering a rebuilt front. New England also invested heavily in defense, reducing game-to-game scoring burdens on the offense.
The supporting cast - or lack thereof - surrounding Drake Maye during his rookie campaign with the Patriots was arguably the worst in the NFL. The Patriots had a matador-like offensive line that gave Maye no support, and New England's group of receivers instilled no fear in opposing defensive coordinators. That appears to be changing this year, with the cast of characters surrounding Maye already making him one of the league's biggest winners as teams concluded roster cutdowns this week.
Even though the Patriots released receivers Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker after they initially made the final 53-man roster - indications that more moves could be coming - Maye's group of receivers, headlined by the arrivals of Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, is already miles better than the 2024 group. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson will have a large role in the offense and has the breakaway speed the Patriots have lacked in recent years.
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