Patriots' Projected Winners of Key Position Battles

The New England Patriots' quarterback situation has been fascinating to watch from afar.

Jacoby Brissett seems to be a near lock to be the team's Week 1 starter, but nothing is ever guaranteed for a veteran quarterback when a high first-round pick is your competition.

The logical move for the Patriots would be to start off the season with Brissett and then pass the baton to Maye when they deem the rookie is ready.

However, the Patriots are in full-blown rebuild mode and do not expect to contend for a playoff spot in 2024, which you would think benefits Maye.

As they figure out their quarterback situation the Patriots also need to decide on who will be blocking for their quarterback and catching balls from their signal-caller.

There is a legitimate competition unfolding at left tackle and the wide receiver depth chart still needs to sort itself out after JuJu Smith-Schuster's departure.

Quarterback

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FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 13: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws during joint training camp between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles on August 13, 2024, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The first preseason game did not exactly help Maye's case to take over the starting quarterback job in Week 1.

Maye went 2-for-3 for 19 yards and was outshined by the two players beneath him on the depth chart. Bailey Zappe threw for 108 yards and Joe Milton impressed everyone who had not watched him in college with his rocket arm.

Maye's stock did not exactly plummet either after Week 1, but the buzz around him is tempered compared to what is happening with Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels in Chicago and Washington.

New England appears to be on track to make a measured move at quarterback and to allow Brissett to open the season as the starter.

The Patriots need to be in the best position to win, but one can argue how many games they are going to realistically win.

They do not want to throw Maye out there if he is not ready, but it might be the best decision for his growth to play as often as possible.

Maybe some clarity comes from the next two preseason games, but right now, it looks like Maye will have to wait while the other rookies across the league get their chance to shine immediately.

Projected Winner: Jacoby Brissett

Left Tackle

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FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 08: New England Patriots offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (59) in warm up before a preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers on August 8, 2024, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Patriots offensive line currently looks a lot different than we had predicted going into training camp.

Vederian Lowe has been getting first-team snaps at left tackle, per Boston Herald's Doug Kyed.

Lowe's emergence led to a reshuffling across a few positions. Chukwuma Okorafor is now at right tackle and Mike Onwenu has been moved inside to right guard.

Cole Strange being out likely played a role in some of the offensive line shift, which has also placed Sidy Sow at left guard, which is where Strange would start.

Regardless, it is surprising to see Lowe receive so many first-team snaps at left tackle, and it may be time to seriously consider him as a contender to start there.

There is a scenario when Strange returns in which Sow shifts to right guard and Onwenu moves back to right tackle. That would make Okorafor the odd man out if Lowe is playing well.

There's still plenty of time for all of the offensive linemen to impress the coaching staff, but the shift at left tackle just might stick.

Projected Winner: Vederian Lowe

No. 4/5 Wide Receiver

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Foxborough, MA - August 8: New England Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte makes a catch over Carolina Panthers CB D'Shawn Jamison in the first half of a preseason game at Gillette Stadium. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

The Patriots already made one key decision at wide receiver by letting go of JuJu Smith-Schuster.

However, the Patriots wide receiver depth chart still looks messy.

Kendrick Bourne, when healthy, probably has a spot on the 53-man roster alongside Demario Douglas and rookie Ja'Lynn Polk.

K.J. Osborn was signed in free agency and his veteran experience will be needed now that Smith-Schuster is gone and Bourne is working back from injury.

Kayshon Boutte stood out among the rest of the pack in the Week 1 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers with three catches for 53 yards.

Boutte is involved in a fierce battle alongside Javon Baker, Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Reagor to fill out the depth chart.

A lot of the roster configuration will depend on Bourne's status, but for now, it looks like the rest of the bunch are fighting for one roster spot. Boutte's strong game may not be enough to keep him on the roster if Thornton or Reagor are more valuable on special teams.

Projected Winner: Tyquan Thornton