As the summer wore on, a pattern emerged. Every time Drake Maye dropped back, he had a usual target in mind.

After watching 18 days of training camp, it’s clear who the Patriots see as Maye’s top targets entering the 2025 NFL season.

This summer, MassLive tracked every pass the Patriots quarterback threw in full-team drills. Maye completed 143 passes in his first camp under coach Mike Vrabel. The second-year quarterback was intentional with whom he threw to and connected with 15 different players this summer.

Out of that group, only five players hauled in 10 or more receptions from Maye in training camp.

Here’s a breakdown – and likely a preview of what’s to come – of Maye’s training camp targets.

Who’s the Patriots’ No. 1 receiver?

It was never a question as to who Maye or offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels saw as the Patriots’ top targets.

Out of every pass catcher on the team’s 90-man roster, DeMario Douglas and Stefon Diggs led the team in receptions with Maye on the field. Slot receiver Douglas is in position for a career year, and he led everyone on the first-team offense with 25 receptions from Maye.

A four-time Pro Bowler, Diggs didn’t look like a player coming off an ACL injury. Despite not being a full participant in the spring, the 31-year-old finished with 20 receptions in 11-on-11 drills.

Douglas and Diggs were the only players to hit the 20-reception mark from Maye. When it came to total catches, including backup quarterbacks Joshua Dobbs and Ben Wooldridge, Douglas led the team with 30 catches. Diggs tied for second, with TreVeyon Henderson, with 22.

Third receiver options

Kayshon Boutte was the clear No. 3 receiver in the Patriots offense this summer. With Maye on the field, the third-year veteran finished with 13 catches in full-team drills. No other receiver hit double digits.

The closest was Mack Hollins. The veteran finished with eight receptions. That was impressive considering he missed the first five days of camp and then was limited.

In this offense, after Douglas and Diggs, Boutte and Hollins were the next two receivers on the depth chart.

Rookie receivers’ role?

There’s usually a lot of attention on younger receivers. This year, Efton Chism III was the star of the preseason. Third-round pick Kyle Williams also entered training camp with a good amount of fanfare.

Williams established himself as the fifth receiver on the Patriots’ depth chart. He finished with five catches from Maye in training camp. Although Chism looked great in the preseason, he didn’t catch any passes from the Patriots’ starting quarterback in full-team drills. The undrafted free agent caught 13 passes in camp, 11 from Dobbs and two from Wooldridge.

The only other receivers to catch passes from Maye were Kendrick Bourne (2), Javon Baker (1), and Ja’Lynn Polk (1).

Running back targets

In the Josh McDaniels offense, running backs are historically used as pass-catching options. That was also seen in training camp.

No one caught more passes this summer than TreVeyon Henderson (22 catches from all quarterbacks). The rookie also led all running backs when Maye was on the field, catching 13 passes from Maye.

Rhamondre Stevenson wasn’t far behind. Despite missing a handful of practices with an injury, the veteran running back finished with 11 receptions from Maye in full-team drills.

The only other running back to catch a pass from Maye was Antonio Gibson (6).

Tight end depth?

Outside of two veterans, the Patriots lack options at tight end. That was obvious in camp.

This summer, Hunter Henry led all tight ends with eight catches in full-team drills. Limited to start training camp, Austin Hooper was next with four receptions. Beyond those two, the lack of depth at tight end showed.

Through 18 days of camp, Maye completed just two passes to other tight ends on the roster – Jack Westover (1) and undrafted free agent Gee Scott (1).

Drake Maye’s 2025 camp targets

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