Team news: New England Patriots | Page 4

Jerod Mayo, on The Greg Hill Show, says Ja'Lynn Polk "has a chance to be a really good football player."

The news on Polk has been positive all summer. The post went on to say Mayo also praised Polk's leadership ability. Daniels shared his own opinion of Polk, saying, "I think the Patriots found a good one with Polk. He's just been so consistent this summer." Those who follow the team say Polk should be a top-three receiver from the start, with some saying he could even emerge as the team's WR1.

Patriots quarterback, and presumptive Week 1 starter, Jacoby Brissett suffered a shoulder injury during his lone drive of Sunday night’s preseason finale, at Washington. Coach Jerod Mayo sounded mostly positive after the game, but there was a potential caveat in Mayo’s comments.

“He would’ve been able to continue,” Mayo said, initially.

Related players: Drake Maye

Mayo did add that the team would have to see how Brissett is feeling Monday and that often times a player will be more sore the next day vs. in the moment. While Maye was seemingly making a move late in camp with his play, most around the team feel Brissett will be the Week 1 starter.

Bills HC Sean McDermott said there is optimism both WR Curtis Samuel and WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling could get back for Week 1, but he did not want to commit all the way to it because all injury situations are still "murky" at the moment.

Related Players: Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, KJ Hamler

This WR room doesn't need any more setbacks, so let's hope that they're both ready to go for Week 1 as a rotational piece (Valdes-Scantling) and a do-it-all option (Samuel). In a fully healthy season, there would be a good chance that Samuel could lead the position group in targets.

The Patriots are nearing a decision on their starting QB. Jerod Mayo said the team should know who it’ll be Monday night.

“It’s still a competition and Jacoby (Brissett) is still QB1,” Mayo said.

Related Players: Drake Maye

The decision shouldn't impact typical redraft leagues, but if Maye can take the job from Week 1, he presents an interesting floor-play for Superflex/2QB leagues.

Ja’Lynn Polk likely will be one of the starting wide receivers when Week 1 arrives, at least until Kendrick Bourne returns from injury. Polk’s training camp hasn’t been spectacular or filled with other-worldly catches, but he has been consistent and done enough for the quarterbacks to trust him.

Demario Douglas probably has been the best wide receiver, but Polk isn’t far behind. He might start behind K.J. Osborn on the depth chart, but optimism is high around the second-round pick out of Washington.

Related players: Javon Baker

While optimism is high around Polk, it sounds like even if he doesn't get a starting job out of the gate, it should only be a matter of time. Meanwhile, fourth round pick Baker started strong, but looks to be further down the depth chart after a tough stretch, according to the rest of the story. Baker is dealing with drops in practice and running with the fourth-string QB at times. The story said he'll likely start as the team's WR4 or WR5.

Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye remain in competition to be the Patriots’ starting quarterback when the regular season starts against the Bengals on September 8.

That’s the word from Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, who said today that he hasn’t decided whether Brissett or Maye will start Week 1, and won’t decide until after the preseason finale.

As the story said, it's a departure from what Mayo was saying for most of the offseason, when he has indicated that Brissett is the starter and Maye is still developing. But Mayo said today that he likes the progress Maye has made. Maye has certainly made a move over the past several days with his play, however, the story added Brissett is still probably the favorite to start Week 1.

Patriots HC Jerod Mayo says "the competition isn't over" for the starting quarterback job in Week 1.

Mayo said that Drake Maye has made strides, but he wants to see the whole operation be faster with Maye at QB.

Related Players: Jacoby Brissett

Maye showed some of his rushing ability when finding the end zone and 15 yards on four attempts. He's still a stay-away in a questionable offense for redraft leagues but would be more intriguing in 2QB/Superflex if we knew he was a good bet to start all 17 games.

Someone in the set of wideouts has to emerge as an eventual No. 1. Right now, rookie Ja’Lynn Polk has as good a shot as anyone.

Related players: Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborn, Kayshon Boutte

For what it's worth, we've already reflected this on our fantasy depth charts listing Polk as the top option. Robinson thinks Polk could step in and get a ton of targets immediately. In the preseason opener, Polk played limited snaps but caught three balls for 14 yards. Robinson expects those numbers to grow. Polk could be worth targeting in the later rounds of drafts given his very late ADP.

One week into camp, it continues to look like Jacoby Brissett will be the Patriots' starting QB Week 1.

Related players: Drake Maye

Other outlets have said Brissett is having a great Monday at camp so far today. Graff's post went on to say, "Maye's future is bright. All the traits are there. But Brissett entered with a lead in the race for QB1 and has been better so far." On top of that, others reported things were moving a bit fast for Maye today. It looks like Brissett is on pace to start the season as the QB.

But before Matthew Judon and Co. dominated team periods, the Patriots’ young pass-catchers finally flashed. Javon Baker badly beat Christian Gonzalez, the Pats’ best corner, for a reception in 1-on-1 coverage drills. Later, Baker collected an over-the-shoulder grab at full speed to clinch the play of the day.

Kayshon Boutte bested Gonzalez, too, for a disputed catch deep downfield in the same drill. Seventh-round rookie tight end Jaheim Bell also extended for a 1-handed effort over safety Kyle Dugger during 1-on-1s, and second-round rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk pocketed three receptions in team periods.

Related players: Drake Maye

The story said overall the defense won the day, but that's to be expected. The story added these flashes are the moments the team will point to as progress, especially with a new coaching staff, and a rookie QB in Maye. The story added the coaches will study practice film like game film, "determining whether these flashes are peeks into their future or mirages born from the summer heat," the story added.