New England Patriots links 5/30/25 - Drake Maye steady amid OTA learning period

Daily news and links for Friday

TEAM TALK

• Evan Lazar shares 17 thoughts through two open OTA sessions. ‘The development of Drake Maye under the guidance of Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels is the team’s biggest storyline. ... From this perspective, Maye is exhibiting some expected indecisiveness in the early stages of installing a new offense.’
• Patriots Unfiltered: OTA observations, Stand out players, music. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Justin Leger relays Phil Perry on Drake Maye’s demeanor so far at Patriots OTAs [It’s good]. Perry also compares Maye to Mac Jones at OTAs.
• Matthew Schmidt notes it appears that TE Hunter Henry is Drake Maye’s favorite target.
• Alex Barth looks at where things stand with New England’s top safeties during spring practices.
• Conor Ryan highlights NFL analyst Nick Baumgardner on why he believes 5th-round rookie edge Bradyn Swinson could be a ‘real steal’. “The former LSU edge was a Day 2-level talent who fell to the fifth round mainly because of concerns over his coachability.”
• Karen Guregian highlights Jabrill Peppers on the flip to Mike Vrabel, his third coach in three years. “I definitely think he knows how to get the best out of his players, and I definitely think that everyone has bought in.”
• Conor Ryan notes Jabrill Peppers says he’s ready for a clean slate after a difficult 2024 season, “I think every year in the league is a fresh start.”
• Justin Trombino explains why the Patriots can’t afford to cut on-the-bubble safety Marte Mapu despite disappointing OTAs.
• Seth Quinn says WR Ja’Lynn Polk must show growth during OTAs if he wants to earn a roster spot.
• Matthew Schmidt identifies three very clear breakout candidates on the Patriots.
• Matthew Schmidt relays Adam Pellerin who points to Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker as two players on the hot seat.
• Sara Marshall thinks Mike Vrabel could soon regret taking a chance with signing Stefon Diggs.
• Efstathios Savvidis explains why LB Anfernee Jennings won’t make the 53-man roster.
• Jovan Alford makes the case that undrafted rookie RB Lan Larison is quickly becoming a threat to steal Antonio Gibson’s RB3 spot.
• Matthew Schmidt details why RB Antonio Gibson is the Patriots’ top trade candidate ahead of training camp.
• Nick Goss tells us what history says about the Patriots’ playoff chances after the team’s last-place finish. Could the Pats make a last-place-to-playoffs jump like the 2024 Commanders and Chargers? Here’s why it’s possible.
• Ryan McLaughlin notes the Pats are more likely to exceed their projected win total in 2025 than to fall short of it.
• Jarrett Bailey reports the Patriots have been given a nationally televised pre-season game.
• Justin Trombino notes Jerod Mayo is still catching strays from Patriots players.
• Next Pats podcast: Phil Perry tackles all your mailbag questions: Drake Maye’s demeanor at OTAs, the Stefon Diggs situation, will the Pats’ growing pains linger into the season, his latest QB rankings...