Monday Patriots Notebook 4/8: News and Notes

Some Patriots news and notes for this morning:

Big Week Ahead For Patriots QB Evaluations

This will be an interesting week as two of the top prospects in the draft will be visiting Gillette Stadium, with each of them potentially spending some time in Foxboro ahead of what may be a longer stay with the New England Patriots in the coming years.

One of the big names has already been here. North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye was reportedly in the building on Friday for his Top 30 visit. Maye’s stock appears to be skyrocketing, and it certainly is starting to feel like if he’s there when the Patriots are on the clock just over three weeks from now, he could be the one whose name is called.

However, that may depend on what Washington does, and they seem to be all over the place. Various reports had seemed to indicate they’re leaning strongly toward Jayden Daniels, but Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports has heard that may not be the case.

Vacchiano reported on Friday that “multiple NFL sources said they don’t believe Maye will get past the Commanders at No. 2.” If that’s the case, the next question is going to be who the Patriots might pivot to.

Albert Breer reported that the club is expected to have dinner with Daniels Monday night ahead of his meeting with Patriots brass on Tuesday. So how these next two days go will likely determine whether or not he’ll be their next choice, or if instead might be the next quarterback who will follow that visit, which is Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.

McCarthy is obviously coming off a National Championship-winning season, with plenty of people wondering just how he might fare in the NFL, given how little he was asked to throw the ball behind the Wolverine’s ground game and offensive line.

But as far as which way Eliot Wolf is leaning, it’s tough to say. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, who checked in on the previous rumors from Tony Pauline that Wolf was high on McCarthy, reported in his recent mailbag that even those inside the building are unsure which way he’s truly leaning.

That’s what makes this upcoming week so intriguing. With so much at stake, this is New England’s one chance to get each of these guys in their building to hopefully get some final answers.

Granted, their final decision may be out of their hands based on what the Commanders ultimately do, but what happens from there will likely depend on whatever they take away from each of these guys over the coming days.

Jan 8, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is pressured by New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) in the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

(PHOTO: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports)

Dugger Now Longest Locked-Up Player

With the news of the Patriots finally reaching an agreement to lock up Kyle Dugger for the next four years, the club now has one of its key playmakers locked up on defense for longer than any of its other players.

The two sides reportedly agreed to a 4-year, $58 million deal which could be worth up to $66 million, including $32.5 million guaranteed.

The deal will ensure Dugger remains a Patriot into 2027, which, for now, has him under contract longer than any of his teammates. This news was a bit of a surprise, especially since it came following reports this week where Dugger was apparently unhappy having received the transition tag this offseason.

That move gave the Patriots some control in terms of keeping him in New England, with Dugger originally locked for one more year at just over $13 million in 2024. That designation also kept him from hitting the open market, extending their window to get a deal done. Had another team made an attempt to sign him, it also gave Jerod Mayo and the Patriots the right of first refusal for any offer Dugger might have received elsewhere.

As it currently stands, the Patriots now have 17 players who have contracts that will expire in 2026, most of which are last year’s draft class. The rest include offseason acquisition Antonio Gibson, with newly re-signed Mike Onwenu, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry, and Anfernee Jennings among the few veterans who round out that list.

Dugger certainly put together a good resume last season. He finished 2023 as the team’s second-leading tackler, totaling 109 tackles, including 71 solo, along with 1.5 sacks, 5 QB hits, and six tackles for a loss. He also added two interceptions and seven passes defended, with the latter total tying him with Jonathan Jones and Myles Bryant. Jabril Peppers led the team in that category with 8 in 2023.

3-minute reminder of what Kyle Dugger can do at his best pic.twitter.com/vRWDY4hfVc

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) April 7, 2024

He was also the Patriots’ leading tackler on third down, with Dugger amassing 23 tackles along with three QB hits, one tackle for a loss, an interception, two passes defended, and a forced fumble.

Voluntary workouts are set to open up for the players today, which will hopefully see Dugger a little happier following this news.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Nathan Rourke (18) trots off the field after practice Monday, Aug. 14, 2023 at Miller Electric Center at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Today was the 14th training camp session.

(PHOTO: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Rourke Quietly Still Working Hard

With voluntary workouts for players set to begin this week, quarterback Nathan Rourke will likely be on hand as the club plays host to Daniels and McCarthy in the coming days.

All the talk continues to center around which rookie signal-caller who they might take at #3 , but it doesn’t change the fact that the former CFL standout is still preparing to make his presence felt in the coming months.

After spending time up in Vancouver working with throwing coach Rob Williams of Sport Core Performance, the two appeared to get some work in together again virtually last week as Rourke got some throwing in behind Gillette Stadium.

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A post shared by Rob Williams (@qbmotion)

If things play out the way they appear they will, Rourke will likely compete with Bailey Zappe later this summer for the #3 spot, with the chance to ascend to the #2 spot after Jacoby Brissett departs next offseason.

Then again, all you need to do is look at San Francisco to realize that things don’t always play out the way you always think they might. After all, the 49ers took Trey Lance at #3 and ended up with a 7th round pick as their future quarterback.

Rourke left the CFL to take his shot in the NFL to prove himself, and if anyone thinks that the odds are against him, he certainly doesn’t appear to be wavering as he tries to achieve his goal.

For now, he remains somebody that no one is really talking about, and it will be interesting to see whether or not he’s able to carve out a role in what should be a competitive QB room here in New England.

Bills receiver Gabe Davis looks for extra yards against the Patriots.

(PHOTO: Jamie Germano / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Bills Significantly Weaker on Offense So Far

The move the Texans made last week to acquire Stefon Diggs made Houston stronger, but more importantly, it weakened Buffalo heading into this season.

The Bills’ offense has seen a surprising reduction in talent at receiver this offseason, with Gabe Davis being a player that many Bills fans were especially disappointed to see leave via free agency when he signed with Jacksonville.

They can lament which loss will hurt more, but they’re both significant. Diggs accounted for 1183 yards on 107 catches and a team-high 8 TDs, while Davis had 45 catches for 746 yards and 7 TDs, the second-highest total.

As a result, the Bills have a big challenge adjusting to filling both of those voids.

We can talk all we want about the Patriots needing to weaponize their offense. But for a team that seemingly had a window that was wide open to potentially claim the AFC, it definitely feels like it closed quite a bit this offseason for Buffalo.

Odds and Ends

It’s interesting that Houston voided the remaining years from Diggs’ contract, and it’s somewhat of a double-edged sword. The move gives Diggs another chance to cash in next offseason, and it potentially built some goodwill by the Texans. But with a lot at stake, Houston has the leverage since Diggs will need to be at his best both on the field. If it works out, it could see the Texans among the final teams standing next January while also potentially convincing Diggs to maybe help finish what he started with his new club. … Doug Kyed believes that trading up for another talented player in the coming weeks should be on the table for the Patriots. “I’d be more apt to give up draft picks — especially in the lower rounds — get more skilled players rather than selecting more players,” wrote Kyed in his mailbag. “This draft is top-loaded, and the lower rounds are apparently much weaker.” In the past, more picks felt like the safer bet, but quality may ultimately trump quantity this year, which adds yet another wrinkle to watch later this month. … It’s a little strange that there is still some talk about potential uncertainty surrounding Wolf’s future after this upcoming draft. He and Alonzo Highsmith have a solid track record and if the two end up knocking it out of the park, the Patriots would be wise to ensure that duo remains intact for the coming years. However, the front office has been their Achilles heel and for those questioning Robert Kraft’s decisions, that’s potentially going to be the most significant one he ultimately makes. “I’ve encouraged them to be collaborative, and I think the combination of Jerod [Mayo] and Matt [Groh], together with Eliot, I’m actually excited with what I’ve seen,” said Kraft recently. Let’s hope if they finally have a solid core picking the groceries, Kraft does the most important thing he can do and ensures he doesn’t lose them.

About Ian Logue

Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.

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Tags: Drake Maye J.J. McCarthy Jayden Daniels Kyle Dugger Nathan Rourke