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Jaheim Bell Jaheim Bell Two catches in rookie season
Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 10:08 AM
Bell finished the 2024 regular season with two catches (on three targets) for 20 yards in 15 games.
Analysis: The 2024 seventh-rounder out of Florida State saw limited snaps on offense as a rookie while working behind veteran tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper. While Henry remains under contract with the Patriots in 2025, Hooper is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent, and if he's not re-signed, the 6-foot-2, 241-pound Bell could have an opportunity to see an increased complementary role in his second campaign as a pro. |
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Javon Baker Javon Baker Limited role as a rookie
Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 9:57 AM
Baker finished the 2024 regular season with one catch (on four targets) for 12 yards in 11 games.
Analysis: Though Baker -- who the Patriots took in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft -- made some highlight-reel plays during training camp, the UCF product wasn't able to make much of an impact as a rookie, finishing the season with just 83 snaps on offense. Looking ahead, Baker will have an opportunity to get a fresh start under a new coaching staff, but the 6-foot-1, 202-pounder has much to prove before he enters the fantasy lineup conversation in 2025. |
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Kayshon Boutte Kayshon Boutte Catches 43 passes this past season
Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 9:44 AM
Boutte (head) finished the 2024 regular season with 43 catches (on 68 targets) for 589 yards and three TDs in 15 games.
Analysis: After catching just two passes in five games as a rookie, the 2023 sixth-rounder began his second campaign as a pro in depth role, but by Week 5, Boutte began seeing steady snaps, a trend that lasted the rest of the season. The LSU product remains under contract with New England through 2026, and looking ahead, Boutte's fantasy upside in 2025 hinges on what moves the Patriots make this offseason in order to bolster their wideout corps. For now, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker remain in the mix, but adding an impact player (or two) at the position is presumably a priority for the rebuilding franchise. |
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Jacoby Brissett Jacoby Brissett Throws for 826 yards in 2024
Wed, Jan 8, 2025, 12:10 PM
Brissett finished the 2024 regular season with 95 completions on 161 passing attempts for 826 yards, with two TDs and an interception in eight games.
Analysis: Brissett, who added 15 carries for 62 yards in that span, went 1-4 while starting the Patriots' first five games of the season until rookie first-rounder Drake Maye took over. The veteran QB is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but it's possible he could remain with New England in 2025 in a backup capacity. That said, the team may opt to roll with 2024 sixth-rounder Joe Milton as Maye's top backup, and in that scenario Brissett would become an option for another team looking for a respected and experienced No. 2 signal-caller. |
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Austin Hooper Austin Hooper Logs 45 catches during 2024 season
Wed, Jan 8, 2025, 11:36 AM
Hooper finished the 2024 regular season with 45 catches (on 59 targets) for 476 yards and three TDs in 17 games.
Analysis: Though Hooper spent his first season with New England working in a tight-end time share that tilted in favor of Hunter Henry (66/674/2 in 16 games), he managed to string together steady enough production down the stretch to maintain a modest but reliable floor in deeper fantasy formats. Hooper is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but it's possible that the Patriots could look into bringing the 30-year-old back in 2025. |
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Kendrick Bourne Kendrick Bourne Catches 28 passes this past season
Wed, Jan 8, 2025, 11:11 AM
Bourne finished the 2024 regular season with 28 catches (on 38 targets) for 305 yards and a TD in 12 games.
Analysis: Bourne, who suffered a torn right ACL in Week 8 of the 2023 season, began the 2024 campaign on the PUP list before being activated ahead of Week 5 action. Not surprisingly, the veteran wideout was eased back into the mix, but even when he started to see an uptick in playing time, his fantasy impact was modest most weeks. Looking ahead, Bourne is under contract with New England through 2026, but as Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston notes, it's possible that the rebuilding Patriots could consider moving on from the 29-year-old pass catcher this offseason. |
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DeMario Douglas DeMario Douglas Catches 66 passes this season
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 11:21 AM
Douglas finished the 2024 regular season with 66 catches (on 87 targets) for 621 yards and three TDs in 17 games.
Analysis: Douglas, who also recorded three carries for 16 yards, ended up tied with tight end Hunter Henry for the team lead in catches during the Patriots' 4-13 season. Looking ahead, Douglas is poised to maintain his key role in the team's offense in 2025, and working with ascending young QB Drake Maye should provide the 2023 sixth-rounder with a decent weekly fantasy floor in PPR formats next season. |
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Rhamondre Stevenson Rhamondre Stevenson Rushes for 801 yards this season
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 11:07 AM
Stevenson finished the 2024 regular season with 207 carries for 801 yards and seven TDs to go along with 33 catches (on 41 targets) for 168 yards and another score in 15 games.
Analysis: Stevenson suited up for the Patriots' season finale Sunday, but was rested by the team, which led to Antonio Gibson leading the backfield in Week 18. Stevenson is under contract with New England through 2028, so he's set to reprise his lead role in 2025. After recording one fumble in 12 contests during the 2023 campaign, Stevenson logged seven fumbles (three lost) in 2024. Though that was a concerning trend, the running back likely will try to make tightening things up on that front a priority this coming offseason. While New England has a franchise QB (Drake Maye) in place, after a 4-13 effort that led to the dismissal of head coach Jerod Mayo, there figures to be plenty of roster churn in the coming months, though Stevenson and Antonio Gibson (signed through 2026) will at least provide some continuity at the running back position. |
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Austin Hooper Austin Hooper Four grabs in Sunday's start
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 8:09 PM
Hooper caught four of six targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 23-16 win over the Bills.
Analysis: Getting the start with Hunter Henry (foot) sidelined, Hooper finished the game tied with Antonio Gibson for second on the Patriots in receptions, as the duo functioned as security blankets for QB Joe Milton in his NFL debut. Hooper will be a free agent this offseason, but he shouldn't have much trouble getting a new deal after posting a 45-476-3 line on 59 targets over 17 games, his best production since 2019. |
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Antonio Gibson Antonio Gibson Leads backfield in Week 18 win
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 8:04 PM
Gibson carried the ball 12 times for 41 yards and caught four of six targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 23-16 win over the Bills.
Analysis: With Rhamondre Stevenson getting the day off in a meaningless game for both sides, Gibson led the Patriots' backfield and topped 60 scrimmage yards for the second straight week. The former Washington RB capably filled a backup role for New England in 2024, finishing the season with 744 combined yards over 17 appearances. Stevenson is under contract through 2028 while Gibson has two more years left on his deal, but a new coaching staff might have different ideas about the workload split between them next season after head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt were let go immediately after Sunday's contest. |
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Joe Milton Joe Milton Produces two TDs in pro debut
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 7:59 PM
Milton completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while adding 16 rushing yards and a TD on 10 carries in Sunday's 23-16 win over the Bills.
Analysis: With nothing on the line for either team, Drake Maye played the first series before exiting the game and handing the offense over to Milton, who was making his NFL debut. The 2024 sixth-round pick looked good, albeit against a Buffalo defense resting a lot of key personnel, and he ran in a one-yard touchdown in the first quarter before connecting with Kayshon Boutte (head) on a 48-yard score in the second after Milton flashed some impressive elusiveness against the Bills' pass rush. While there are still questions about whether Milton's throwing mechanics and accuracy issues will allow him to succeed in the NFL, his athleticism should keep him in New England as a backup to Maye in 2025. |
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Drake Maye Drake Maye Quick exit in Week 18 win
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 7:48 PM
Maye (hand) failed to complete his only pass attempt before giving way to Joe Milton in Sunday's 23-16 win over the Bills.
Analysis: The rookie QB was bothered by an issue with his throwing hand during practice this week, and with nothing on the line in Week 18, the Patriots pulled Maye after one series rather than risk further injury. The third overall pick in the 2024 Draft finishes his first NFL campaign with a 66.6 percent completion rate, 2,276 passing yards and a 15:10 TD:INT in 13 appearances, and improving his ball security as well as his production will be the focus for 2025. Maye will also be learning a new offense, as head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt were let go immediately after Sunday's game. |
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Kayshon Boutte Kayshon Boutte Leaves Sunday's game
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 2:39 PM
Boutte exited Sunday's game against the Bills due to a head injury.
Analysis: Prior to his departure from the contest, Boutte caught all seven of his targets for 117 yards and a TD. In his absence, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Javon Baker and Alex Erickson are available to handle New England's Week 18 wideout duties. |
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JaMycal Hasty JaMycal Hasty Not playing in Week 18
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 11:29 AM
Hasty (coach's decision) is a healthy inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills.
Analysis: Hasty sat out the Patriots' Week 16 loss in Buffalo due to an ankle injury, but he'll miss his first game of the season due to non-health-related reasons as he sits out the finale. He'll head into free agency this spring after concluding the 2024 campaign with 20 carries for 69 yards and 10 catches for 59 yards, and a touchdown on 12 targets over his 15 appearances. |
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Austin Hooper Austin Hooper Likely to start at tight end
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 11:26 AM
Hooper is expected to start at tight end Sunday against the Bills with Hunter Henry (foot) inactive for the contest, Taylor Kyles of CLNSMedia.com reports.
Analysis: Henry's absence leaves the Patriots with Hooper, Jaheim Bell and Jack Westover as their available options at tight end. The 30-year-old Hooper is by far the most experienced option of the trio, though he's on an expiring contract, and the 3-13 Patriots may not be keen on giving a starter's workload in the season finale. Hooper enters Sunday's game having produced a 41-449-3 line on 53 targets through 16 appearances. |
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Joe Milton Joe Milton Active for season finale
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 10:47 AM
Milton is listed as active for Sunday's game versus the Bills.
Analysis: As is starter Drake Maye, as well as veteran backup Jacoby Brissett. However, Milton, who has been serving as the Patriots' No. 3 emergency quarterback, could potentially enter the team's season finale at some point in order to have him log some snaps to see how he looks, with an eye toward assessing whether he might be a viable No. 2 option behind Maye in 2025, per Mike Reiss of ESPN. |
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Drake Maye Drake Maye Active versus Bills
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 10:41 AM
Maye (right hand) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Bills.
Analysis: Maye was listed as limited in practice this week, before approaching the 3-13 Patriots' season finale with a 'questionable' designation. With his active status versus a Bills team that's locked into the No. 2 playoff seed in the AFC now confirmed, Maye is in line to close out his rookie campaign in the starting lineup, though as Mike Reiss of ESPN notes, it's possible that 2024 sixth-rounder Joe Milton could enter Sunday's contest at some point, either by design (to get him some snaps for evaluation purposes) or as the result of Week 18 game flow. |
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Hunter Henry Hunter Henry Inactive Sunday
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 10:38 AM
Henry (foot) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Bills.
Analysis: After being listed as limited at practice this past week, Henry carried a 'questionable' designation into the weekend. With Henry sidelined for the Patriots' season finale, Austin Hooper is available to lead a Week 18 tight-end corps that also includes Jaheim Bell and Jack Westover. Henry, who is under contract with New England through the 2026 campaign, thus concludes his fourth year with the franchise with a receiving line of 66/674/2 on 97 targets in 16 games. |
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Mitchell Wilcox Mitchell Wilcox Elevated to active roster
Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 4:23 PM
The Patriots elevated Wilcox from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Chris Mason of The Springfield Republican reports.
Analysis: Wilcox will be elevated for the third and final time this season and will be available for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bills. Wilcox played 28 snaps (one on offense, 27 on special teams) in his first two games but did not show up on the box score in either contest. |
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Alex Erickson Alex Erickson Elevated for regular-season finale
Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 4:21 PM
New England elevated Erickson from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Chris Mason of The Springfield Republican reports.
Analysis: Erickson accumulated 90 kick return yards and 15 punt return yards during the Patriots' Week 17 loss to the Chargers. He's exclusively played on special teams over the past two weeks and will likely reprise that role during Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bills. |
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