The Patriots ranked among the worst in the league offensively last year. They were 29th in yards per play, sacks per pass attempt and on 3rd downs. They ranked 30th in the red zone and in points per game.
For 2025, they brought back known commodities at head coach (Mike Vrabel) and offensive coordinator (Josh McDaniels). Vrabel did well as an HC in Tennessee in his first 4 years before Ryan Tannehill fell off a cliff and the Titans traded receiver A.J. Brown to the Eagles. Philadelphia went on to 2 Super Bowls in the 3 years since acquiring Brown.
QB: Drake Maye
Despite the Patriots not having an adequate array of receiving options for the rookie Maye, they still tasked him with throwing over 33 times a game in his first 9 starts ,in which he played the majority of the game. During that span he threw an interception in all but 1 games with 14 TD passes and 10 INTs in total.
In his first 11 starts he put up over 400 rushing yards on 8 yards per carry with 2 TDs on the ground. Heading into Year 2 he has a more proven coaching staff along with a deeper, more talented backfield and receiving group.
RB: Rhamondre Stevenson
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Rhamondre Stevenson #38 of the New England Patriots rushes for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
After averaging 4.8 ypc over his first 2 NFL seasons, Stevenson has come in at 4.0 and 3.9 the last 2 years but didn’t finish with a career-high of 7 rushing TDs last year. However, after recording 69 receptions for over 400 yards in 2022, his volume and efficiency have severely diminished. He ended 2024 with 33 receptions for 168 yards (5.1 ypr).
The struggles of the offense contributed to Stevenson’s struggles as a rusher. As Maye got going toward the end of the year, Stevenson ran more like his old self. From 12/1-12/22 (3 games) Maye completed 73% of his passes for an average of 234 yards per game passing. During that 3-game span, Stevenson rushed 43 times for 202 yards and an average of 4.7 ypc.
RB: TreVeyon Henderson
Henderson looks to get upfield as soon as the blocking allows and will set up his blockers with a jab step or delay before a quick sidestep to the gap. He’ll square up his base to take on pass rushers or to lead block and can deliver a punch but does need to finetune his technique.
His presence in New England allows Antonio Gibson to serve as the 3rd option a year after putting up his best yards per carry (4.5) since 2020 and the best yards per reception (9.0) of his career in a reserve role.
WR: Stefon Diggs
A torn ACL cost Diggs more than half of the season in his first year with the Houston Texans. It was the first time Diggs missed more than 1 game in a season since back in 2017. Diggs at 31 years old, returning from a major injury may not be at the same level as he was a few years ago but a welcome edition to a receiving group that was lacking a true #1 option.
Diggs gives Maye a go-to target that he can rely on with DeMario Douglas and his tight ends. The depth of serviceable talent at receiver for the Patriots for 2025 will prevent him from being overworked in his return to the field as he’ll fall way short of the 160 targets he averaged per year from 2020-2023 with the Bills.
WR: DeMario Douglas
Douglas has had a good start to his career through his first 2 seasons. Now with Diggs aboard, it’ll allow Douglas to go back to a role better suited for him as opposed to the team’s top option. A year after Douglas tied for the team lead in receptions (66) and receiving TDs (3), he’ll be more of a complementary piece to Diggs and Hunter Henry.
WR: Mack Hollins
New England will make Hollins 6th team in the last 7 years and the 3rd team of 4 in the AFC East. Maybe he’ll join the New York Jets in 2026 and complete the division. Hollins has recorded 4+ TDs in 3 of the last 4 seasons.
In the last 9 games of 2024 with the Bills, Hollins was targeted 30 times with 24 receptions for 297 yards and 3 TDs. That equated to 12.4 yards per catch on an 80% catch rate. His receiving 3 TDs over the last half of last season matched the leaders among the Patriots.
WR: Kyle Williams
Jan 28, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; National team wide receiver Kyle Williams of Washington State (11) sets up at the line during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
New England drafted a receiver in the 3rd round of this year’s draft (Williams) a year after taking Ja’Lynn Polk (2nd) and Javon Baker (4th) in the first 4 rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. They hope Williams will provide better early returns than last year’s duo. Polk’s last 11 games as a rookie saw him catch 4 passes on 20 targets (20% catch rate) for 26 yards and 1 TD.
Williams is an easy mover who’s dangerous with the ball in his hands. The problem will be getting the ball in his hands as they’re only 8 ¾” inches and he uses them poorly when framing the catch. He’ll clasp at the ball or choose to bodycatch rather than trust his hands. He’ll get his opportunity to improve there and as a route runner due to his shake, speed and elusiveness after the catch.
WR: Kayshon Boutte
Boutte put up 43 / 589 / 3 last year but really turned it on over the last 3 games in which he was targeted 19 times. He caught 16 of those passes for 240 yards and 2 TDs. He averaged 15.0 ypc with an 84% catch rate during those few games. It was an impressive run which will have him in the mix behind Diggs and Douglas.
WR: Kendrick Bourne / Javon Baker / Ja’Lynn Polk
It’s too early in the offseason and in the rookies’ careers to rule them out. Bourne is a capable NFL player who in his last 8 games of 2024 caught 24 passes on 30 targets for 276 yards and a TD with the Patriots. An 80% catch rate with 11.5 yards per reception in last year’s offense is worth noting.
TE: Hunter Henry
After missing time yearly over his first 5 NFL seasons, last year marked the 3rd time in the last 4 years in which Henry played in 16+ games. He set career-highs in targets (97), receptions (66) and receiving yards (674) last season.
The targets and receiving yards ranked him first on the Patriots for 2024. He tied for team lead with the receptions and his 2 receiving TDs put him 1 back of the lead. The additions of Diggs, along with Hollins and the rookie Williams, will heavily eat into that workload for 2025.
TE: Austin Hooper
Hooper recorded 3-4 receptions in 10 of the last 11 games of last season. The rookie QB heavily targeted his top-2 tight ends of Henry and Hooper. Hooper finished tied for the team lead with 3 TDs, 3rd in receptions and 4th in receiving yards and targets. The new additions will cut those numbers in half in the upcoming season.
BREAKOUT PLAYER: TreVeyon Henderson
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 10: TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Henderson averaged 7.1 ypc in his last year at Ohio State while rushing for over 1,000 yards. 2024 marked the 3rd time in his 4 year collegiate career that he rushed for double-digit TDs and averaged 10.5+ yards per reception. Henderson has a nose for the end zone and when the QB is under duress, he’s aware to give him a target to bail him out.
He’ll finish his rookie year with 8 total TDs, 1,000 total yards and 35+ receptions.
BUST: Kyle Williams
Williams will have some splash plays as a rookie but will lose reps due to the lack of route polish, drops and other mistakes. With numerous veterans surrounding him for this season, he’ll give way to others in the lineup due to their ability to continuously do the simple things right consistently.
SLEEPER: Kayshon Boutte
Behind Diggs and Douglas at receiver, some people will have the rookie penciled in, others may have Hollins for his big frame and TD ability and even others may suspect a bounceback year for one of last year’s rookies. The two 6th-round receiver picks from 2023, Douglas and Boutte, stay ahead of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th round receivers drafted in 2024 and 2025 for this season.
BOLD PREDICTION: Drake Maye
Maye has a head coach and offensive coordinator that know how to set him up for success. He also returns Douglas, Henry and Hooper as safety blankets from 2024 to go with Boutte that he gelled with towards the end of 2024.
The team gave him a new #1 receiver, an upgrade at running back who can become his top receiver out of the backfield, a young playmaking receiver, veteran center, right tackle and a first-round rookie at left tackle. 2025 Stats: 600 rush yards, 4 rushing TDs with 3,500 passing yards, 25 TDs and 12 INTs.
