3 Patriots rookies already looking like starters in preseason

After the latest preseason game, the Patriots still have quite a list of rookies fighting for a spot on the 2024 season roster, most of whom are on the offense. Fortunately for them, it needs a lot of improvement, so most spots haven't been locked up just yet.

This creates a lot of competition at practice and during preseason games, which often brings out the best (or sometimes the worst) in a player.

Given how dire it is for the new regime to start their tenures off as well as possible, it's even more crucial for the team to perform well and demonstrate they can be better than the roster last year, making the rookies who have been standing out in a good way much more valuable.

Although every rookie won't make the 53-man roster for the season ahead, some will be relegated to the practice squad and given more opportunities to prove they belong. Some players, however, are already performing as if they have been in the league instead of playing in just their second preseason game, which couldn't be a better outcome for the Patriots.

To make the situation for Jerod Mayo even better, the three rookies performing the best through two preseason games so far are on the offense, making the eventual decision of who to keep and who to cut a bit more complicated.

3 Patriots rookies already looking like starters in preseason

WR Ja'Lynn Polk

Expectations are always high for players selected in the first two rounds of any draft, and that mentality can be applied to second-round wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk. The Patriots were reportedly planning to take a receiver with their high second-rounder, even trying to trade it for 49ers Brandon Aiyuk, but ultimately chose to take the Washington alum after a standout season catching footballs from Michael Penix Jr.

Along with fellow rookie pass catcher Javon Baker, Polk has had several highlight-worthy catches at training camp that have brought excitement back to the receiver room, an aspect that has been lacking for a few years in New England.

However, practice performances are one thing, while replicating that on game day is another. Fortunately, Polk was able to do that against the Eagles in Week 2, showing off his speed and twitchy skills, which allowed him to push for extra yardage.

Because the receiving corps is one of the more questionable units of the team, having Polk continue this kind of performance and build upon, it would help the offense tremendously and could eventually earn him the top spot on the depth chart.

QB Drake Maye

After a slow start in the spring and during training camp, Drake Maye has strung together a few standout days on the practice field and an impressive performance against the Eagles last Thursday night.

It was a much-needed showing after only being in the Patriots preseason opener for six snaps. Maye took his prolonged time in Week 2 to remind everyone exactly why he was worthy of the third overall pick in this year's draft.

From the second he lined up on the field for his first snap to the time he was pulled for the night, the young quarterback looked comfortable, poised, and ready to lead the offense. His confidence was apparent, which ultimately helped him score the first touchdown of the game right before halftime.

His stats for the night aren't overly impressive, and claiming he was playing like a veteran doesn't mean that he blew everyone's socks off with his performance. But based on the little we saw from Maye last week against the Panthers, and after his struggles in camp began creating panic amongst analysts and fans, seeing him perform as well as he did and in the manner that he did brought optimism for the team's future.

WR David Wallis

Perhaps one of the most underrated preseason performances so far goes to rookie wide receiver David Wallis. Not because he has been hauling in tons of receptions and scoring touchdowns left and right, but his performance as a kick/punt returner should be catching everyone's eye.

The Patriots have struggled to find reliable returners since Julian Edelman retired a few years ago. Since then, they have rotated receivers or even cornerbacks to fill that role. It's never ideal not to have a designated returner, so if Wallis can fill that, then that's a significant fix to a roster needing more help elsewhere.

Wallis had a good showing against the Panthers in the preseason opener but looked even better against the Eagles last Thursday. His most impressive return of the night came in the fourth quarter when he ran the football 53 yards, starting from the Patriots end zone.

His return inevitably helped the offense's ability to move down the field, allowing Joe Milton III to take the offense into field goal range and score.

The rookie receiver followed that up with a punt return later in the game, recording a return of 23 yards. It was his final return of the night, but he might just have done enough to secure a spot on the Patriots roster this season as a returner, which is great for Wallis and the team.

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