Projecting the best 2024 Patriots' starting offense

The starters in the offensive skill positions

It's no secret that any NFL team's season begins and will end with their quarterback. It's incumbent to have one, or if not, to go and get one in the offseason. Eliot Wolf did just that when he drafted Drake Maye with the third-overall pick in the draft. It was far and away his best offseason move. Maye was a top-three QB in the draft for a good reason. The young man is loaded with skills.

Maye has everything an NFL quarterback needs to be a success. He has a prototypical size, a rocket arm, can throw from anywhere on the field, is accurate, and to top it off, can really run. He's an offensive coordinator's (OC) dream. If Alex Van Pelt is a good OC, Maye will be a huge QB upgrade and success. That is, if, as suggested here, he's the No One guy from the outset.

The starting running back (assuming a one-back set) is Rhamondre Stevenson. No surprise there. He's a top NFL back and will complement Maye's passing game superbly. In third down or passing situations, Stevenson will give way to newly signed third-down back, Antonio Gibson. He adds a dimension missing since James White retired. After them, the depth is thin but the starters are top-notch.

At the wide receiver position, there is a surprise or two. One easy choice is the slot receiver, the diminutive but dynamic, 2023 sixth-round surprise, Demario Douglas. Expect a big season from DD and you won't be disappointed. Accompanying him will be two rookies.

While this may be risky, why not go with your best? Rookie Ja'Lynn Polk will be the starting Z receiver, moving all around the formation and exploiting defensive weaknesses. He's turning heads already. As a second-round pick, he should and does start. Adding to the new dimension on offense will be the de facto X receiver, rookie fourth-round pick, Javon Baker.

Baker may not have the straight-line speed of a traditional X. Yet, he plays faster than his 4.5+ forty-yard dash time. He'll make that up with determination, grit, and separation ability. Since there's no one better on the roster, Baker is the one.

Completing the starting skill player list is tight end, Hunter Henry. Signed to an extension, Henry is the best the Pats have and he's a solid, competent veteran NFL, Y tight end. His experience will blend in nicely with the youthful wide receivers the team will run out. Complementing Henry is free agent signee, Austin Hooper. Not much will be lost when he's on the field replacing Henry.