Polk could secure the Patriots' top receiver spot to open the 2024 regular season if he impresses in training camp, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports. Polk, a rookie second-round pick, didn't begin the offseason working as a starter but has since worked his way up the depth chart, and he was a standout at mandatory minicamp. The Washington product is considered pro-ready as rookie, so though his combine workout numbers didn't strongly impress, he's refined enough to quickly hit the ground running and entrench himself as one of New England's most reliable targets in the passing game, especially if Kendrick Bourne (knee) isn't fully recovered from his ACL tear by Week 1. Graff projects Polk to get a large portion of first-team reps in training camp, so if he can translate that into some preseason momentum, it wouldn't be surprising for him to start the season ahead of Bourne, DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie fourth-rounder Javon Baker, especially if he can establish chemistry with Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. As a pro, Polk may ultimately be more of a possession receiver than a deep target, but he boasts the upside to become one of the most consistent options in the Patriots' air attack.
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passing yards
2120rushing yards
642receiving yards
561tackles
70interceptions
2Passing
name GP CMP ATT CMP% YDS YDS/G TD INT SACK SYL RTG B. Zappe,QB1012721259.9%1,272127.2692519168.8M. Jones,QB1122434564.9%2,120192.710122212777.0M. Cunningham,WR1000.0%00.000150.0Rushing
name GP CAR YDS AVG LNG YDS/G TD FUM LST FD J. Reagor,WR1111717.0171.50001T. Montgomery II,WR13393.070.70000B. Zappe,QB1017834.9188.31206M. Jones,QB1126963.7188.703011K. Bourne,WR8144.040.50101R. Stevenson,RB121566194.06451.6412636T. Thornton,WR935117.0395.70001D. Douglas,WR148415.1202.90302K. Harris,RB416654.11816.31022E. Elliott,RB171846423.51737.8322933Receiving
name GP REC TGTS YDS AVG TD LNG YDS/G YAC FD J. Reagor,WR117231382003912.518.05T. Montgomery II,WR135124080173.127.03M. Gesicki,TE172945244821814.496.011K. Bourne,WR837554061143650.8203.015R. Stevenson,RB123851238603419.8261.08P. Brown,TE1713152081615812.2121.08H. Henry,TE1442614191062429.978.029T. Thornton,WR9132391701510.150.03C. Strange,OG100030030.33.00112947260913723.694.013D. Douglas,WR1449795611104240.1336.026K. Boutte,WR52719100113.810.01K. Harris,RB433581904814.559.02E. Elliott,RB175165313622318.4374.012D. Parker,WR1333553941203030.3126.017Defense
TacklesSacksInterceptionsFumblesname GP SOLO AST TOTAL SACK SCKYDS TFL PD INT TD FF FR FTD A. Speed, CB5 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Board, LB17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 M. Wilson Sr., LB17 21 12 33 3.5 20.5 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 L. Guy Sr., DL17 16 22 38 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 T. Montgomery II, WR13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 M. Gesicki, TE17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Mills, DB17 25 19 44 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 K. Dugger, SAF17 70 37 107 1.5 9.5 6 7 2 0 0 0 0 M. Jones, QB11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 S. Roberts, DT7 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. Wise Jr., DE16 22 32 54 4.5 50 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 B. Baringer, P17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Bentley, LB16 55 59 114 4.5 13.5 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 C. Barmore, DT17 39 25 64 8.5 60.5 13 6 0 0 0 0 0 A. Phillips, DB17 8 5 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 M. Wilson, CB1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Peppers, SAF15 50 25 75 1 7 5 8 2 0 0 1 0 C. Davis, DB11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Jones, CB14 39 8 47 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 D. Ekuale, DT3 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. Jennings, LB15 49 17 66 1.5 10 14 0 0 0 0 1 0 K. Bourne, WR8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 M. Mapu, SAF17 9 5 14 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 P. Brown, TE17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 S. Wade, CB14 21 2 23 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 D. Godchaux, DT17 24 32 56 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 B. Schooler, SAF17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 S. Sow, OG15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 T. Thornton, WR9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 M. Bryant, CB17 65 12 77 1 6 7 7 1 0 0 0 0 J. Uche, LB15 8 7 15 3 20 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Strange, OG10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Cardona, LS17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. Andrews, C17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. Douglas, WR14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 M. Judon, LB4 10 3 13 4 25 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 M. Slater, WR16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 K. White, DE16 12 14 26 1 9 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 M. Jones, CB2 4 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 J. Jackson, CB8 22 3 25 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 E. Elliott, RB17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Pharms Jr., DT12 4 5 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 C. Elliss, LB4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Jones, CB5 8 4 12 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 C. Munson, LB3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Tavai, LB17 63 44 107 1 9 5 5 2 0 0 0 0 C. Gonzalez, CB4 14 3 17 1 8 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 D. Parker, WR13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. Austin, CB5 7 2 9 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0
Patriots Depth Chart
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Patriots Odds & Projections
Polk could secure the Patriots' top receiver spot to open the 2024 regular season if he impresses in training camp, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports. Polk, a rookie second-round pick, didn't begin the offseason working as a starter but has since worked his way up the depth chart, and he was a standout at mandatory minicamp. The Washington product is considered pro-ready as rookie, so though his combine workout numbers didn't strongly impress, he's refined enough to quickly hit the ground running and entrench himself as one of New England's most reliable targets in the passing game, especially if Kendrick Bourne (knee) isn't fully recovered from his ACL tear by Week 1. Graff projects Polk to get a large portion of first-team reps in training camp, so if he can translate that into some preseason momentum, it wouldn't be surprising for him to start the season ahead of Bourne, DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie fourth-rounder Javon Baker, especially if he can establish chemistry with Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. As a pro, Polk may ultimately be more of a possession receiver than a deep target, but he boasts the upside to become one of the most consistent options in the Patriots' air attack.
Judon and the Patriots are far apart in contract negotiations, Henry McKenna of FOX Sports reports. McKenna notes that Judon has asked for a new contract and the Patriots have presented an offer, but the sides "are not currently close to agreeing to a new deal." Judon is approaching the final year of his contract, which will pay him a modest $6.5 million next season. New England may be hesitant to offer the linebacker a hefty deal given that he played in just four games last season due to a torn biceps, though he has more than proven his ability as a pass rusher with 28.0 combined sacks over 2021 and 2022. Per Conor Ryan of Boston.com, Judon doesn't plan to hold out of camp if the sides don't agree to a new deal.
Tavai and the Patriots agreed to terms Tuesday on a three-year extension with a $15 million base value, and that can reach $21 million with incentives, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports. Tavai has entrenched himself as a key member of New England's starting linebacker corps, playing a hybrid ILB/OLB role that saw him record 110 tackles, two interceptions and a sack in 17 games last season. He now joins DT Christian Barmore, RB Rhamondre Stevenson and C David Andrews as players who were entering the final year of their contracts but have re-signed under new coach Jerod Mayo. Tavai is well positioned to repeat as a worthwhile fantasy option in IDP formats in new defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington's scheme.
Smith-Schuster didn't look explosive at spring practices even though he says he's healthier than he was last year, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. Graff notes that Smith-Schuster may end up competing with Kayshon Boutte, Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Reagor for one or two roster spots, with the locks at WR likely being DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne (knee), K.J. Osborn and rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. The final math will partially depend on whether the Patriots keep Reagor as a kick return specialist or prefer to deploy a returner that also has a considerable role on offense (e.g. Douglas or RB Antonio Gibson). Either way, Smith-Schuster's guaranteed $7 million salary won't necessarily ensure him of a spot on the team after he had 260 receiving yards in 11 games last season. Knee surgery last offseason may have impacted his speed and strength, but it was head and ankle injuries that ultimately led to six absences.
Douglas was the Patriots' "best and most explosive playmaker" at spring practices, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. Douglas led the team in receiving last season as a rookie sixth-round pick, albeit with only 561 yards and nary a touchdown. Around 65 percent of his snaps and production came from the slot, which presents a potential complication for a New England offense with three veteran WRs -- Kendrick Bourne (knee), K.J. Osborn and JuJu Smith Schuster -- that are arguably at their best working inside. All three are at least 6-foot, 200 pounds, while Douglas is much shorter (5-8, 192) but also the fastest (4.44 40) and most agile of the bunch. New Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt should find a way to keep Douglas involved, even if it means leaving Smith-Schuster and/or Osborn out of the rotation or bringing the team's rookie WRs along slowly (second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker).
Stevenson has agreed to a four-year extension with the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Per Schefter, Stevenson's deal is for $36 million, of which $17 million is reportedly guaranteed. The move to extend the 2021 fourth-rounder beyond his current pact solidifies the Patriots backfield ahead of Jerod Mayo's first season as head coach, and with the team transitioning at the QB position, look for Stevenson and fellow RB Antonio Gibson to be key drivers of New England's offense in 2024. Over the course of 12 regular-season games last season, Stevenson logged 156 carries for 619 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 38 catches for 238 yards on 51 targets. As training camp approaches, the 26-year-old has moved past the ankle issue that cost him time down the stretch in 2023, with Stevenson's new contract terms reflecting his continued status as his team's lead back.
Polk was one of New England's standouts at June minicamp, according to Phil Perry of NBC Sports. It sounds like he mostly caught passes from Jacoby Brissett, but there was also a rookie-to-rookie connection on the final play of minicamp when Drake Maye hit Polk for a practice-ending touchdown. Polk reportedly has been quick to learn OC Alex Van Pelt's playbook, and Perry suggests that Patriots brass believes the rookie has high-end physical skills (even though his combine workout numbers were mediocre, including a 4.52 40). While many viewed Polk as a draft reach at 37th overall, he's got a nice opportunity to earn immediate playing time in a New England offense where all the WR roles seem up for grabs.
McMillan (Achilles) was spotted working on during the Patriots' mandatory minicamp session Wednesday, Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald reports. McMillan missed all of the Patriots' 2023 campaign after partially tearing his Achilles before the season, but it now seems as if he's back at full health. The Ohio State product appeared in 16 games and made 35 total tackles in 2022, and he's expected to compete for another depth role in New England's linebacker corps going into next season.