While some teams have opted to rest their starters to avoid any unexpected injuries this summer, the New England Patriots have taken a different approach, giving almost all of their key players significant playing time in the first two weeks of the preseason. This strategy is aimed at providing Jared Mayo and the coaching staff with ample footage to assess the roster’s depth moving forward.
Interestingly, despite this intensive evaluation, there aren’t many starting positions up for grabs as the season approaches. Most of the defense is already locked into starting roles, and many of the offensive positions are similarly set.
However, there are still a few intriguing position battles to watch, especially in the upcoming game against the Washington Commanders. Two of the most critical offensive positions—quarterback and left tackle—are still being contested. The outcomes of these battles could significantly impact the Patriots’ early-season performance.
Potential Patriots starters at risk of losing their spots:
1. Jacoby Brissett vs. Drake Maye
In 2024, Patriots fans are eager to see Drake Maye on the field. The third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of UNC, Maye may not have been the top prospect throughout his class, especially after Jayden Daniels surpassed him as QB2, but he’s still a fascinating talent. With a powerful arm that can impress even the harshest critics, Maye’s footwork may need improvement, but his potential is undeniable.
In preseason Week 2 against the Eagles, Maye outperformed the current starter, Jacoby Brissett, gaining momentum heading into the regular season—assuming the Patriots are open to a genuine quarterback competition. Jared Mayo has indicated that the competition is ongoing, saying, “We have three more days of training camp practices, and it’s our job as coaches to evaluate. The competition isn’t over.” Whether this is just coach speak or a sign that Maye could genuinely win the starting job remains to be seen. But if Patriots fans had a say, Maye would likely win by a landslide based on his potential alone.
2. Chukwuma Okorafor vs. Caedan Wallace
As the Patriots evaluate their offensive line, the tackle positions remain uncertain as the 2024 season approaches. Chukwuma Okorafor, the most experienced player in the group, is competing for the starting left tackle spot, with options like Vederian Lowe, a 2022 sixth-round pick, also in the mix.
However, Caedan Wallace, a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, seems to have the edge. Despite playing right tackle at Penn State, Patriots’ decision-makers, including Eliot Wolf, believe Wallace has the potential to excel as a left tackle. Wolf described Wallace as a highly athletic player who could adapt to the left side, despite having played on the right due to the presence of future Jets first-round pick Olu Fashanu.
In his preseason Week 2 performance against the Eagles, Wallace demonstrated that he could be a solid option at left tackle, potentially even outshining Lowe. Given that the Patriots aren’t necessarily in a win-now mode, it might be worth giving Wallace the opportunity to start and develop in that position long-term.
