8 Patriots takeaways from Day 6 of training camp

FOXBOROUGH – The field shrinks when a team gets into the red zone.

On Tuesday, the Patriots offense felt that firsthand at the beginning of Day 6 of training camp.

During the team’s 7-on-7 period, Drake Maye finished 3-of-8. That included a rough second period, during which the quarterback was 0-for-4 near the end zone. When 11-on-11 drills began, the results were similar for Maye’s unit.

Through four full-team periods, Maye was 3-of-9 on the day. The second-year quarterback struggled with accuracy, with three inaccurate passes to go with a pass breakup, a drop (Kyle Williams), and a throwaway.

Maye did hit Stefon Diggs and Williams for touchdowns with two of his three completions to start the full-team session. The quarterback, however, finished strong in the final two 11-on-11 periods, going 4-of-5 with two touchdowns to Diggs and Kayshon Boutte.

“We wanted to score, especially when we’re in the red zone,” backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs said. “It’s a double-edged sword. We want to score every time in the red zone, we want to take shots in the end zone, but the defense is going to run some good coverages, so we’ve got to check it down and take care of the football. I thought the offense did a really good job with that.

“There’s plays that we could’ve made – me, Drake, and Ben (Wooldridge). We thought we could’ve taken advantage of some 1-on-1 a little earlier in practice, but it’s great to see us respond at the end of practice. Really have a smooth drill in the low red zone.”

Maye finished 7-of-14, ending practice with a great throw to Boutte in the back left of the end zone. His touchdown throw to Diggs was also a highlight for the offense as the veteran receiver jumped over cornerback D.J. James and kept both feet in bounds in the back of the end zone.

Dobbs went 5-of-10 on the day. Javon Baker had one of the day’s best plays when he jumped up and over Marcellus Dial for a highlight-reel touchdown.

Here are Tuesday’s main takeaways:

Gonzalez out due to injury

After leaving Monday’s practice due to an injury to his left leg, Christian Gonzalez highlighted the list of absent players for the Patriots on Day 6 of camp.

The Patriots No. 1 cornerback suffered the injury while covering Diggs on the first pass play of 11-on-11s on Tuesday. Gonzalez immediately grabbed the back of his left leg, went to the trainers, and soon departed practice.

On Monday, Gonzalez did make a late appearance, showing up at the end of practice in shorts and a T-shirt. The cornerback had a black sleeve on his left leg while he watched his teammates finish up their session.

With Gonzalez and Carlton Davis out, the Patriots moved up players such as Alex Austin, Marcus Jones, Marcellus Dial, and D.J. James in the cornerback rotation. Austin, who started camp as the top outside backup, has been with the starters with Davis and Gonzalez absent.

“It’s a physical game we play. All it means is next man up, got to be ready, step into that role,” Austin said Tuesday. “The standard is the standard, so keep a hold of the standard and play ball.”

The defense, without both starting cornerbacks, had some nice moments in pass coverage on Tuesday. James, who continues to excel, led the Patriots with two pass breakups. The defense also had pass deflections from Marcus Jones, Dell Pettus, Christian Elliss, Myles Battle, and Jabrill Peppers.

Austin, 24, played in nine games last season, making three starts. The third-year cornerback had five pass breakups in those nine games. With Gonzalez and Davis out, he has a chance to solidify his spot on the Patriots’ 53-man roster.

“I try to come in the building, prepare myself every day for game week,” Austin said. “Get ready out here, have fun with the guys, have fun competing, and get ready for these games coming up this year.”

Stefon Diggs shines

There was no question as to who Drake Maye’s security blanket on Tuesday was.

When times were tough and the field shrank near the end zone, the Patriots quarterback’s most reliable target was Stefon Diggs. The veteran receiver finished practice with three receptions, including two touchdowns, while in tight coverage.

Maye’s first pass to Diggs, in 7-on-7 drills, was broken up by Marcus Jones. After that, and during full-team drills, the veteran receiver excelled. After Maye started 0-2 in 11-on-11s, his first completion went to Diggs in the flat. After completing 1-of-4 passes, Maye then hit Williams and Diggs, who jumped over Craig Woodson, for touchdowns.

Two periods later, Diggs jumped up and over James for a 5-yard touchdown. The receiver snagged the ball out of the air and did a good job getting both feet in bounds.

Through six days of camp, Diggs leads all pass catchers with 10 catches from Maye. DeMario Douglas is next with nine, followed by Rhamondre Stevenson (six) and Boutte (five).

Left guard competition heats up

Cole Strange has plenty of competition at left guard.

This offseason, the veteran has predominantly been the Patriots top guard next to left tackle Will Campbell. However, he has fierce competition from rookie Jared Wilson and tackle-turned-guard Caedan Wallace.

On Tuesday, Wilson started one 11-on-11 period at left guard with the Patriots starting offense. That has not really been the case this summer, so that felt noteworthy. The third-round pick was also a standout during 1-on-1 drills when he beat Christian Barmore twice and Milton Williams to finish 3-0 on the day.

Wallace, who was drafted in the third round in 2024 to play tackle, transitioned to left guard this offseason. He also rotated in with Maye’s starting offensive line on Tuesday.

“It’s been good. It’s been solid,” Strange said of the competition. “I think it’s pushing us all to be our best. I think it’s for the best, for sure.”

A first-round pick in 2022, Strange started his first 27 NFL games at left guard. A torn patellar tendon set him back, and last year, he played in three games, transitioning to center.

Strange was one of four offseason workout award winners for the Patriots.

“It meant a lot,” Strange said. “I definitely worked hard this offseason. I’m sure everybody did, but it feels good to be recognized for that. That was a cool thing, but we’re already past that now.”

Quarterback-center issues

On Monday, Drake Maye and Jared Wilson had a fumble snap near the end of practice. On Tuesday, it happened again, but this time with Garrett Bradbury, and Mike Vrabel wasn’t pleased.

During the Patriots third 11-on-11 period, the offense was on the doorstep of the end zone when the ball was fumbled a moment after Bradbury’s snap to Maye. Vrabel looked upset and quickly sent the first-team offense off the field.

Joshua Dobbs’ unit came on the field, and the second-team offense received an extra rep after that errant snap.

The Patriots had another center issue at the end of practice as Bradbury came up limping following a Stevenson run play. The veteran center was on the ground for a moment and looked hobbled when he got to his feet. Bradbury didn’t leave the field, and Wilson played the final two snaps with Maye.

Campbell battles back

Will Campbell’s ‘Welcome to the NFL’ moment came in Monday’s practice during his first 1-on-1 drills when Keion White tossed him to the ground two times. The first-round pick played better in full-team drills that day, which was a run-heavy practice session.

On Tuesday, Campbell played better and held his own against White during 1-on-1 drills. The No. 4 overall pick beat White and veteran edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson.

Campbell wasn’t perfect on Tuesday and appeared to be beaten off the edge on the Patriots first 11-on-11 pass, which Maye threw away.

Under-the-radar cornerback emerges

The Patriots have had luck finding under-the-radar cornerbacks over the years.

It appears that they may have found another.

This summer, D.J. James has stood out due to his ball skills. The 24-year-old, who signed with the Patriots practice squad last year, had an interception on the first day of training camp. Since then, he’s been a thorn in the offense’s side.

On Monday, James beat Kyle Williams in a 1-on-1 drill. On Tuesday, he led the Patriots defense with two pass breakups. The first came during a 2-on-2 drill when James deflected a pass intended for Kendrick Bourne in the end zone. Later, in 11-on-11s, James deflected a Dobbs pass intended for Javon Baker.

A sixth-round pick by Seattle in 2024, James also spent some time with the Patriots starting defense on Tuesday. With Davis and Gonzalez out, this 24-year-old has a golden opportunity to earn a roster spot.

Kicker battle

The battle between Andy Borregales and Parker Romo has been fierce this summer.

On Monday, the Patriots gave Romo all six kicking attempts, and the veteran went a perfect 6-of-6. On Tuesday, Borregales matched his teammate and finished 6-of-6.

The sixth-round pick had a better spring than Romo, but the veteran has pushed the rookie kicker during the first six days of camp. Borregales had a rougher day on Saturday when he went 2-of-4.

The rookie bounced back on Tuesday.

Attention update

Austin Hooper came off the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday and practiced for the first time this summer.

Along with missing Gonzalez and Davis, the Patriots were also without Jahlani Tavai, Joshua Farmer, and Brock Lampe. Mack Hollins and Vederian Lowe remain on the PUP list.

Patriots right tackle Morgan Moses departed practice early. The 34-year-old has been on a pitch count this summer but hadn’t left a practice early until Tuesday. When he was out, Demontrey Jacobs started at right tackle.