By R.L. Bynum
Entering his second NFL season, former UNC quarterback Drake Maye has been impressive during New England Patriots training camp, not just in command of the offense, but in execution.
Through the first seven practices, Maye has yet to throw an interception, a clean run that’s turning heads given the volume and difficulty of throws he’s attempting.
He’s not playing safe football — he’s playing smart.
“I’m trying to take care of the football,” Maye said during a press conference after practice Thursday in Foxborough, Mass. “Maybe they could have had a few [interceptions] here and there. You’re not trying to throw a perfect game or no-hitter. But I think that’s part of not being scared to throw it. I’m still not gun-shy.”
In his rookie season, Maye completed 225 of 338 yards for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Maye’s camp performance is marked by confident decision-making and a willingness to test tight coverage downfield. He isn’t leaning on checkdowns to avoid mistakes.
“It’s easy to throw the check down,” he said. “But it’s not realistic, moving the football and getting big kind of chunk plays, which are the plays you win the games with — when you’re throwing the ball down the field and throwing in tight windows.”
That mindset has been a continuation of how he played as a rookie — aggressive, competitive and mobile. The Patriots are leaning even further into his athleticism, with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels incorporating more designed quarterback runs into the scheme.
“It’s an even balance. You gain an extra hat. You make it 11-on-11 instead of 10-on-11,” Maye said. “Mixing in the quarterback run game is something I’m open to.”
Maye’s comfort outside the pocket is part of what made him effective at Carolina and during his rookie season, but he acknowledged the importance of picking his spots more carefully now.
“My first year [at UNC], I was really kind of running around and doing some stuff I probably shouldn’t have out there with pads on,” he said. “So, I think just taking care of my body and being smart. But also, when it’s third down, when it’s near the end zone, like I’m 6–5 and 230 pounds. Go get something.”
Another sign of Maye’s progression is his command at the line of scrimmage. He’s taken on more responsibility with protection calls and pre-snap adjustments, building on the foundation he carried from college.
“It helps that I did that in college,” he said. “Me and my center, we kind of set the line where we wanted and changed it and did a little of that last year. It’s nice knowing it’s my job to send those guys the right spot, get them on the same page.”
He’s also building chemistry with a restructured receiving group, including a developing red-zone connection with veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who signed a three-year deal with New England in March.
“It’s just a mindset, attacking the football,” Maye said. “A guy of his stature who has caught a lot of touchdowns in this league, made a lot of big plays, he wants to go get the football. He tells me all the time, just if the ball’s in the air, it’s gonna be mine.”
Maye said that that’s the mindset in the wide receiver room, which also includes former UNC star Mack Hollins, who also signed with the Patriots in March. Hollins came off the PUP list and and was part of 11-on-11 drills with Maye on the field Thursday.
With joint practices and preseason games approaching, Maye’s turnover-free streak isn’t the focus — it’s the byproduct of sharper timing, cleaner mechanics and better decision-making.
“We’re coming together, jelling nicely,” he said. “We’ve got a good look with our defense. I feel good, feel in a good spot. But there’s still a lot of work left.”
Although he may not get many snaps, the Patriots’ first exhibition game is at 7:30 Friday, Aug. 8, at home against the Washington Commanders.
Tar Heels in NFL camps
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 26 | 6–0, 195 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 9 catches, 94 yards (48 longest); 48.7 offensive grade, 51.2 pass grade, 60.8 run-block grade, 62.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, NBC
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Rams, Fox
Michael Carter, Tennessee Titans running back
Age 27 | 5–8, 201 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string running back
Season statistics — 2 games, 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 50.5 offensive grade, 68.3 pass grade, 51.3 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 16 offensive snaps (25%); 50.5 offensive grade, 68.3 pass grade, 51.3 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade; 2.4 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Week 9 — Open date
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 25 | 5–9, 171 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 7 games, 5 starts, 26 catches, 307 yards (42 longest); 1 carry, 7 yards; 72.2 offensive grade, 71.8 pass grade, 63.1 run grade, 59.1 run-block grade
Week 7 — Vikings 16, Colts 10 (road) | started: 2 catches on 4 targets, 18 yards (13 longest); 1 punt return, fair catch; 52 offensive snaps (85%); 2 special-teams snaps (9%); 66.2 offensive grade, 65.9 pass grade, 59.1 run-block grade; 3.8 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, CBS
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Dallas, Fox
Joshua Ezeudu, Kansas City Chiefs tackle/guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 310 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
Season statistics — 6 games, 1 start, 87 offensive snaps and 10 special-teams snaps; 57.3 offensive grade, 56.8 pass-blocking grade, 62.4 run-blocking grade; 61.1 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3 (road) | started at right tackle (first start of season, 11th of his career; usual starter Jaylon Moore sidelined with a concussion); 53 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (16%); season-low 51.7 offensive grade, season-low 51.0 pass-block grade, 51.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Denver, CBS
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 15 tackles, 14 assists, ½ sack; 62.2 defensive grade, 63.7 run grade, 87.6 tackle grade, 52.7 pass-rush grade, 63.4 coverage grade
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | didn’t start: 2 tackles, 2 assists, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 39 defensive snaps (56%), 17 special-teams snaps (63%); season-low 45.9 defensive grade, season-low 36.9 run defense grade, 77.5 tackle grade, 60.5 coverage grade; 3.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Week 9 — Open date
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 23 | 6–0, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 6 games, 4 starts, 80 carries, 289 yards, 3.6 average, 3 touchdowns; 9 catches, 56 yards (18 longest); 2 fumbles (2 lost); 62.2 offensive grade, 65.2 pass game grade, 80.5 pass-block grade, 60.9 run grade
Week 6 — Chiefs 22, Chargers 6 (road) | started: 7 carries, 18 yards (4 longest); 4 catches on 4 targets, 21 yards (15 longest); 34 offensive snaps (50%); 58.6 offensive grade, 65.9 pass grade, season-high 80.4 pass-block grade, 53.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade; 7.9 fantasy points
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Rams, Fox
Week 9 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Houston, CBS
Charlie Heck, Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman
Age 29 | 6–8, 311 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Reserve; signed Thursday to 53-man roster after Miami waived him during training camp
2025 statistics (Tampa Bay) — 18 games, 1 tackle, 701 offensive snaps, 642 special-teams snaps
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, CBS
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Dallas, Fox
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 29 | 6–1, 240 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 7 games, 4 tackles, 4 assists; 63.6 defensive grade, 60.7 run grade, 71.7 tackle grade; 55.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Steelers 16, Saints 10 (Saint-Denis, France) | 1 assist; forced fumble; 2 defensive snaps (4%), 10 special-teams snaps (53%); season-high 75.7 defensive grade, 64.9 run grade, 71.7 tackle grade; 62.0 special-teams grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, CBS
Week 9 — Open date
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Backup quarterback
2024 season statistics with Seattle (didn’t play last season; hasn’t played this season); didn’t play in 2025 when with Philadelphia — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer grade; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 7 — Cowboys 38, Eagles 21 (road) | didn’t play
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 7 games, 6 starts, 22 tackles, 11 assists, 4 passes defended; 49.1 defensive grade, 89.8 run grade, 62.0 tackle grade, 39.6 coverage grade
Week 7 — Falcons 29, 49ers 20 (home) | didn’t start: 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended; 17 defensive snaps (26%), 3 special-teams snaps (13%); season-high 89.4 defensive grade, 60.0 run grade, season-high 80.7 tackle grade, season-high 87.1 coverage grade; 2.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, Fox
Week 9 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Cincinnati in Madrid, NFL Network
Alijah Huzzie, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Reserve
Week 6 (season debut) — Texans 34, Jaguars 31 (in London) | 13 special-teams snaps (45%); 46.1 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis, CBS
Week 9 — 8:15 Thursday at Baltimore, Prime Video
Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia Eagles guard/center
Age 24 | 5–11, 290 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
Season statistics — 7 games, 2 starts; 128 offensive snaps, 19 special-teams snaps through Week 6
Week 7 — Cowboys 38, Eagles 21 (home) | didn’t start
Week 8 — 8:20 Sunday at Washington, NBC
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Giants, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 24 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation — Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 starts, 141 of 214, 1,784 yards (8.3 average), 13 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 13 sacks (59 yards in losses), 96.4 passer grade; 38 carries, 211 yards, 5.6 average, 2 touchdowns; 5 fumbles (2 lost); 79.7 offensive grade, 77.5 pass grade, 63.4 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 7 — Bears 30, Patriots 24 (road on Thursday) | started: 24 of 31, 321 yards, 2 sacks (11 yards in losses), 2 TDs (48-yard pass to R. Stevenson as first half ended; 30-yard pass to E. Raridon, 3:46, third quarter), 1 interception, 117.8 passer grade; 4 carries, team-high 26 yards (15 longest), 1 TD (7-yard run, 11:33, second quarter); 54 offensive snaps (100%); 74.8 offensive grade, 73.5 passer grade, 63.4 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade; 28.44 fantasy points
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Miami, CBS
Week 9 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Green Bay, Fox
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 307 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Starting left tackle
Season statistics — 7 games, 317 offensive snaps, 16 special-teams snaps; 50.9 offensive grade, 49.0 pass-blocking grade, 59.8 run grade
Week 7 — Steelers 16, Saints 10 (Saint-Denis, France) | started: called for false start; 57 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (16%); 55.4 offensive grade, 58.2 pass grade, 59.8 run grade
Week 8 — Open date
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, CBS
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 30 | 5–11, 205 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string safety (activated from PUP list on Oct. 10)
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 start, 8 tackles, 7 assists, ½ sack, 1 pass defended; 49.9 defensive grade, 44.8 run defense grade, 43.9 tackle grade, 69.5 pass-rush grade, 61.2 coverage grade
Week 7 — Giants 27, Texans 21 (home) | started (regular starting safety Reed Blankenship out with a concussion and hand injury): 5 tackles, 7 assists, ½ sack, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended; 63 defensive snaps (95%), 6 special-teams snaps (21%); 50.5 defensive grade, 31.6 run defense grade, 49.1 tackle grade, 69.5 pass-rush grade, 61.2 coverage grade; 10.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — Open date
Week 9 — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist; 52.6 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3 (home) | not active for fourth consecutive game (calf injury)
Week 8 — 8:15 Monday vs. Chicago, ESPN
Week 9 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Age 32 | 6–3, 222 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Cam Ward
2025 statistics with Buffalo (hasn’t played this season) — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yards (9 longest)
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | didn’t play
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Week 9 — Open date
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 4 catches, 75 yards (47 longest), 1 touchdown; 54.2 offensive grade, 55.4 pass grade, 71.4 run-block grade, 61.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Bengals 35, Ravens 13 (home) | didn’t start: no statistics; 20 offensive snaps (30%), 6 special-teams snaps (24%); 57.5 offensive grade, 53.4 pass grade, 71.4 run-block grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, CBS
Week 9 — 8:15 Thursday vs. Jacksonville, Prime Video
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 starts, 110 carries, 472 yards (4.3 average), 8 touchdowns; 19 catches, 103 yards (17 longest), 5.4 average, 1 touchdown; 1 fumble (recovered); 77.0 offensive grade, 79.6 pass grade, 60.8 pass-block grade, 75.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 7 — Cowboys 38, Eagles 21 (road) | started: 25 carries, career-high 155 yards (6.2 average; 34 longest), 1 touchdown (2-yard run, 2:21, 4th quarter); career-high 88.0 offensive grade (previous high 81.9 at Jacksonville in Week 2 of the 2021 season), 52.1 pass grade, 82.4 pass-block grade, season-high 85.9 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
On season-ending injured reserve
— New Orleans running back Ty Chandler; suffered a knee injury in the second preseason game; ran for 45 yards in two preseason games
On injured reserve
— Houston running back British Brooks (hamstring injury)
— New York Giants rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon (torn Achilles)
— New England wide receiver Mack Hollins (calf injury)
On practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all 3 preseason games
— Minnesota defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie; had four tackles and three assists in 77 total preseason snaps
— Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker; had 5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack (6 yards), 2 tackles for losses and 1 quarterback hit in their 41–3 preseason win Friday
Waived
— Cornerback Marcus Allen (with injury settlement) by Minnesota; had 2 tackles, 1 assist in 45 preseason snaps
— Cornerback Storm Duck by Miami
— Linebacker Power Echols by Seattle
— Linebacker Tomon Fox by Los Angeles Rams; had 28 tackles and 13 special-teams tackles in 2 preseason games
— Linebacker Amari Gainer by New England; had 4 tackles and 2assists in 3preseason games
— Defensive end Smith Vilbert by Minnesota; had one tackle in 47 preseason snaps
Waived with injury designation
— Tight end Bryson Nesbit by Minnesota after collecting 3 catches for 29 yards in two preseason games; had been listed as fifth string
Photo via @UNCFootball
