Kendrick Bourne

With offseason organized team activities beginning across the NFL this week, incoming rookies are finally getting the chance to prove themselves against veteran players. For the New England Patriots, newcomers such as Drake Maye — the franchise’s hopeful quarterback of the future — and wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker will have an opportunity to make a big first impression on their new boss.

Although Maye and Polk, in particular, were both high draft choices selected within the top 40, it sounds like they’ll have to earn the trust of Jerod Mayo in order to earn themselves a role come September. When discussing the receivers’ room specifically, Mayo said, “It’s a wide-open competition. We have some young bulls, we have some older players, we have guys who are really unproven, so this is an opportunity for them to really get a leg up, going forward.” Mayo also made it clear that the absence of presumptive starter Kendrick Bourne — still recovering from a torn ACL sustained during a Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins last season — will undoubtedly open up opportunities for both Polk and Baker, among others.

Although New England attacked its pressing needs on offense during the draft, this is still a group you will want to avoid in fantasy. While Bourne (when healthy) merits consideration as a FLEX option in deeper formats, it’s still unknown as to who the signal-caller in Foxborough will be come Week 1. Maye will certainly elevate the ceiling of the Patriots’ wideouts once he enters the fold, but the timing is still unknown. Until then, Polk and Baker can be seen as mid-to-late-round dynasty assets, while Bourne and second-year man DeMario Douglas are safer short-term bets with Brissett under center.

New England’s sophomore second-round wide receiver will start the season on the IR and miss at least four weeks. No details on the injury have been reported other than it’s Thornton’s shoulder and it happened sometime during the preseason. Former Panther backup QB Matt Corral will take Thornton’s spot on the 53-man roster.

Belichick drafted Thornton 50th overall in 2022, but the second-year Baylor standout has yet to make a mark in the NFL. He played in thirteen games last season but earned only 22 targets for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns. New Patriot offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien gave fantasy gamers the confidence to make Thornton a popular last-round pick, but it’s time to move on.