Mark Daniels

Boston

Reporter at MassLive.com

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Articles

6 takeaways from first Patriots rookie minicamp under Mike Vrabel

5 days ago | masslive.com | Mark Daniels

FOXBOROUGH – Mike Vrabel was a man on a mission. Friday marked the first day of Patriots rookie minicamp and from the sound of the first whistle, the new Patriots coach made his presence felt. Vrabel’s voice echoed through the Patriots indoor facility, WIN Waste Field House, throughout this hour-long practice. This session featured 10 members of the team’s rookie class, 16 undrafted free agents, 14 rookie tryout players, and three second-year players.
Patriots defensive coordinator out with medical condition

5 days ago | masslive.com | Mark Daniels

The Patriots are currently without their defensive coordinator due to a medical issue. On Friday, Mike Vrabel announced that Terrell Williams hasn’t been with the team due to health reasons. Williams, 50, was named the Patriots defensive coordinator this offseason. He previously worked with Vrabel in Tennessee from 2018-2023. In his absence, Patriots inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has taken over Williams’ defensive coordinator responsibilities.
Patriots hire experience exec for important front office role

6 days ago | masslive.com | Mark Daniels

The Patriots are restructuring their front office with an important hireAccording to a source, the team is hiring A.J. Highsmith to be their new director of pro scouting. Highsmith replaces Pat Stewart, who left this offseason to become the general manager at the University of Nebraska. Highsmith has 11 years of NFL experience and was most recently the Tennessee Titans director of scouting. This move reunites Highsmith with his father, Alonzo Highsmith, the Patriots senior personnel executive.
Sunshine in his pocket: Memory of lost ‘brother’ fuels Patriots’ Will Campbell

6 days ago | masslive.com | Mark Daniels

The phone started to ring as the band played Justin Timberlake’s ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling.’Will Campbell sat on a white leather couch wearing a green pinstripe suit, surrounded by his closest family members. When he answered the phone, with the Patriots on the other line, his dream came true and those around him couldn’t believe it. The shock wasn’t because Campbell was drafted No. 4 overall. It was the lyrics to the song that echoed from above. “I got that sunshine in my pocket.
Drake Maye’s ready to connect with new Patriots Pro Bowl receiver

1 week ago | masslive.com | Mark Daniels

FOXBOROUGH – When Drake Maye was a sophomore at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, Stefon Diggs had his first 1,000-yard season in the NFL. When Maye was a senior, Diggs earned All-Pro and Pro Bowls honors for the first time. By then, the teenage Maye had already drafted the veteran receiver on his fantasy football team. He also got used to playing with Diggs’ teams in Madden so he could throw passes to the receiver.
Josh McDaniels already has Drake Maye excited for this Patriots season

1 week ago | masslive.com | Mark Daniels

FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots just wrapped up the fourth week of their offseason workout program. Thanks to Josh McDaniels, Drake Maye can’t wait for the fall to arrive. When the team gathered at Gillette Stadium on April 7, it marked the first time that Maye and his new offensive coordinator could talk about the Patriots new playbook and offensive scheme. Although things are changing for Maye, he’s already enamored with the possibilities that come with McDaniels offense.
Patriots won’t pick up option for first-round offensive lineman

2 weeks ago | masslive.com | Mark Daniels

The NFL deadline to pick up the fifth-year option for 2022 first-round picks is approaching. For the Patriots, their decision was an obvious one. According to ESPN, the Patriots are not picking up the fifth-year option for Cole Strange. Drafted 29th overall in 2022, this option would’ve paid Strange $16.8 million in 2026. This means the offensive lineman will enter this season in the final year of his rookie contract. The NFL deadline to pick up this option is on Thursday.
Veteran pass rusher comes to Patriots planning to build off career year

2 weeks ago | masslive.com | Mark Daniels

FOXBOROUGH – K’Lavon Chaisson always believed in himself – even when the production wasn’t what he expected. That’s why last season was so important to this veteran pass rusher. In 2020, Chaisson was a first-round pick, selected 20th overall, by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Over his first four seasons, the LSU product finished with five sacks in his first four seasons. That led him to Las Vegas in 2024. Last season, despite a slow start, Chaisson finally showed his potential.
Patriots release six players, including former fourth rounder

2 weeks ago | masslive.com | Mark Daniels

The Patriots apparently like this 2025 NFL Draft class. After the conclusion of the 7-round event, Mike Vrabel’s team quickly started to sign undrafted free agents. That’s when it became apparent the Patriots were signing too many players with too few roster spots. On Monday, the team rectified that issue by releasing six veteran players to clear the way for a bigger-than-usual undrafted free-agent class. Among those released were 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Andrews.
Patriots debated over two offensive prospects in Round 2

2 weeks ago | masslive.com | Mark Daniels

When the second round started, the debate in the Patriots war room began. Should they draft a starting caliber left guard to pair with Will Campbell for the foreseeable future? In that scenario, the left side of the Patriots offensive line would be set to protect Drake Maye with two high-upside prospects. Or do they draft an electric playmaker at the running back position? The Patriots have talked about weaponizing the offense over the last two offseasons.