Patriots’ Drake Maye targets clear as training camp unfolds: Diggs, Douglas lead the way
After 18 days of practice, the Patriots appear to have a clear sense of who Drake Maye trusts most as he heads into the 2025 season. Maye completed 143 passes during full-team drills in camp and connected with 15 different players, showing a deliberate approach to distributing the ball.
Top targets and overall reception leaders
– DeMario Douglas and Stefon Diggs were the standout duo for Maye, leading the team in receptions with Maye on the field. Douglas, the slot receiver, is positioned for a potential breakout year and led all first-team receivers with 25 receptions from Maye.
– Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowler, looked healthy and productive despite coming off an ACL injury earlier in the year. He finished with 20 receptions from Maye in 11-on-11 drills, placing him with Douglas at the top of Maye’s targets. In total catches for the offense, including plays with other quarterbacks, Douglas led the team with 30, and Diggs tied for second with TreVeyon Henderson at 22.
Other receivers behind the top two
– Kayshon Boutte emerged as the clear No. 3 option on the depth chart, recording 13 catches with Maye on the field.
– Mack Hollins totaled eight receptions, a solid figure given he missed the first five days of camp and was limited for portions of practice.
– After Douglas and Diggs, Boutte and Hollins were the next most-frequently targeted receivers when Maye was on the field.
Rookie receivers and overall camp catchers
– The spotlight on young pass catchers was mixed. Efton Chism III starred in preseason play but did not record catches from Maye in full-team drills. Third-round pick Kyle Williams earned the role of fifth receiver with five Maye targets.
– In camp overall, Chism caught 13 passes (11 from other quarterbacks), while undrafted rookie Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne, and others logged smaller totals. Bourne had two catches, with Baker and Polk each adding one.
Running backs as receiving options
– The backfield was active as receivers in the McDaniels system, with TreVeyon Henderson leading the group in Maye-targeted receptions at 13, and 22 receptions overall for Henderson on the summer.
– Rhamondre Stevenson was next, totaling 11 receptions from Maye in team drills, despite missing some practices with an injury.
– Antonio Gibson added six catches as a supplemental option.
Tight ends and depth at that position
– Hunter Henry led the tight ends with eight receptions in full-team drills.
– Austin Hooper was limited early but totaled four receptions.
– Beyond Henry and Hooper, the depth at tight end was limited, with Jack Westover and Gee Scott the only other players to record a single catch from Maye in camp.
What this means for Maye and the Patriots
– Maye’s distribution suggests a clear pecking order: Douglas and Diggs as primary targets, with Boutte staking a claim as a high-upside third option and Hollins providing veteran presence on the flank. The separation between the top two and the rest of the group is evident, which could shape how New England opens games and progresses through the season.
– The emphasis on versatile receiving backs, especially Henderson, aligns with a modern passing game approach that U.S. head coaches have leaned into in recent years. If Henderson, Stevenson, and Gibson can maintain effective role clarity, Maye should have multiple options on check-downs and cross-field throws.
– The tight end position appears lean in depth behind Henry and Hooper, which could affect personnel decisions and play-calling as the season unfolds.
Additional notes and outlook
– Maye’s deliberate targeting during camp is a positive sign for his development and for the team’s offensive cohesion under the current system. The chemistry with Douglas and Diggs will be worth monitoring once the regular season begins, along with how quickly Williams and Boutte continue to rise.
– Watch for how the rookie receivers, especially Williams and Chism, progress in the preseason and early regular-season games. Their development could influence Maye’s target distribution as the playbook expands.
Overall sentiment: The Patriots appear to have identified a manageable, dangerous set of options around Maye, with Diggs and Douglas providing proven production and Boutte and Hollins offering additional upside. If Maye continues to develop rhythm with his top targets and the backfield remains a versatile threat, the offense could evolve into a balanced attack throughout the 2025 season.