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The Eye on Foxborough Newsletter

June 6, 2025

Stefon Diggs (AP Photo)

Kicking off

What a difference a week makes, especially on two very important fronts for the Patriots: Drake Maye and Stefon Diggs.

Let's start with the quarterback.

From the three OTA sessions that have been open to the media during the past three weeks, Maye easily had his best outing on Monday.

From a four-pick performance the first week, to a largely uneven outing last week, Maye finally looked like he was getting a handle on Josh McDaniels' offense during the latest outing.

He made the easy completions, was accurate, less hesitant and got better as the practice wore on.

It wasn't so much about the numbers (14-for-16 in competitive drills), it was more about a comfort level he exuded. Granted, there were a lot of check-downs, but later in the day, he aired it out a bit, making some nice throws.

As for Diggs, who created quite the stir last week with a viral video that showed him partying with several bikini-clad women and offering them a suspicious pink substance, the Patriots receiver was present and accounted for in Foxborough for the workout.

He wasn't there the previous week when the story broke. But he was there Monday, and looked pretty darn good even while being limited during the practice.

Just seven months removed from ACL surgery, Diggs had no trouble running routes, cutting, etc. He looked the part of a No. 1 receiver.

And, for the time being at least, he's back in Mike Vrabel's good graces.

There should be more to come with the upcoming three-day mandatory mini-camp starting Monday.

Here are some links from the week …  

Stefon Diggs returns to Patriots OTA after viral video

Stefon Diggs makes early impression in return to Patriots practice

Does Stefon Diggs’ return mean he’s out of Mike Vrabel’s dog house? | Karen Guregian

Drake Maye is already impressing Patriots OC Josh McDaniels

Patriots QB coach details how Drake Maye is handling ups and downs of learning new system

Rhamondre Stevenson details how Mike Vrabel and Patriots coaches helped him through difficult time

Patriots could have dangerous running back duo with speedy rookie

Patriots coach already ‘big fan’ of talented rookie receiver

Patriots coach offers update on ‘very professional’ 1st-round pick

Patriots receive good news on injured veteran starter

Finally healthy, Patriots 1st-rounder ‘not really worried about anybody’s opinion’ 

Future coaching ‘superstar’ steps up for Patriots

Patriots de facto defensive coordinator sizes up group

Shane Vereen (AP Photo)

These days, 36-year-old Vereen is living in Bellaire, Texas, just outside of Houston, with his wife and two daughters.

Since last year, he’s been working as a player personnel assistant for the Houston Texans.Before that, Vereen had multiple gigs as a TV analyst. After a year working with Fox Sports, Vereen spent roughly three years working as a college football analyst for the Pac-12 Network.

It’s not all football for Vereen. After retiring in Vereen got involved with Esports. In 2019, he joined ESTV (Esports Television) along with his brother, Brock, who also played in the NFL. Vereen is currently listed the director of business development for ESTV’s Celebrity League.

— Nick O'Malley

 Here is this week's highlighted question:

With mandatory minicamp kicking off next week, who are a few players that you'll be keeping an extra close eye on? — C.J. in Boston

Guregian: Outside of Drake Maye, who is a given, and seeing how he continues to make strides with a new system, I'm going to keep an extra close eye on a couple of players that piqued my curiosity after watching them in OTAs.

Rookies TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams both exude a quality that the Patriots have lacked in recent years - explosiveness. So I'll continue to monitor their progress.

Undrafted rookie wideout Efton Chism III is another to watch, given how he caught a ton of passes in competitive drills during OTAs.

It's tough to get a true gauge on line play in this setting so it's been hard to glean much on first-round pick Will Campbell outside of the fact he moves well.

Defensively, it's pretty clear the team has gotten faster, quicker especially at linebacker. Since cornerback Carlton Davis III was only present for one of the three open voluntary sessions, it'll be good to see him and Christian Gonzalez together during the mandatory camp.

Bonus question

How does the OL look compare to last year? - Wayne 

Guregian: To this point, Morgan Moses (knee) and Michael Onwenu (hand) have been limited during practices. That represents the right side of the line. Rookie C/G Jared Wilson has also been limited.

As it is, this time of year is tough to really judge an offensive line. On paper, they're better. But the proof won't come until down the road. 

NOTE: MassLive columnist Karen Guregian will answer reader questions in this space weekly. If you have questions on the Patriots, NFL, or anything else, email Karen at kguregian@masslive.com or tweet to @kguregian.

David Andrews (AP Photo)

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NOTE: If you like what you see here, make sure to follow MassLive's Patriots reporters Chris Mason and Mark Daniels and columnists Karen Guregian, Matt Vautour and Sean McAdam and Nick O'Malley on Twitter. You should also bookmark MassLive's Patriots page and like our Patriots page on Facebook. 

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