The Patriots are expected to hire Josh McDaniels as OC under new HC Mike Vrabel, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's a homecoming for McDaniels, who had two previous stints with New England. He ran the offense from 2006 to 2008 and then again from 2012 to 2021. The Patriots ranked top eight in points in 12 of McDaniels' 13 seasons and top 11 in yards in 10 of 13. Of course, the majority of those offenses were quarterbacked by Tom Brady. In three years without Brady, McDaniels' Patriots finished eighth, 27th, and sixth in points; fifth, 27th, and 15th in yards. McDaniels also spent two seasons as Broncos HC (2009-2010), one as Rams OC (2011), and two as Raiders HC (2022-2023). None of those teams ranked better than 12th in yards or points. McDaniels has shown the ability to morph his offense to fit the personnel, with eight top-10 finishes in rushing yards and 10 top-10 finishes in passing yards. He's not as exciting for QB Drake Maye and this Patriots offense as Ben Johnson or even Liam Coen would have been. But McDaniels is at least a known commodity and should bring some stability to this offense in 2025. We'll see what the team does this offseason to upgrade the offensive line and skill positions.
The Patriots on Sunday morning announced the least surprising news of this coaching cycle by naming Mike Vrabel as new head coach.
The Patriots fired HC Jerod Mayo, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. It's one-and-done for Mayo, who was hand-picked by Bill Belichick to be his successor. New England went 4-13 in Mayo's lone season, finishing in the bottom 10 in both points scored and points allowed. The latter might have been Mayo's undoing considering his defensive background. We'll see who the Patriots tab as their next HC. It's an especially important hire for QB Drake Maye's fantasy value.
Patriots QB Drake Maye (right hand) is active for today’s game vs. the Bills. We don’t expect the hand to be an issue today, but we could see Maye get pulled for fellow rookie QB Joe Milton at some point in this one. New England locks up the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft with a loss.
Patriots TE Hunter Henry (foot) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Bills. That’d typically mean a bump in playing time for TE Austin Hooper, but New England might want to get a longer look at rookie TE Jaheim Bell in this meaningless game.
Patriots TE Hunter Henry (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Bills after a limited week of practice. It’s possible he’s held out of this game that New England needs to lose to lock up the first overall pick of this year’s draft. We’ll get the Patriots’ inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday.
Patriots QB Drake Maye (right hand) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Bills. HC Jerod Mayo said earlier this week that Maye will start, but the hand “injury” could give New England an excuse to pull Maye from this game at some point. The Patriots lock up the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft with a loss. And the coaching staff has hinted this week that QB Joe Milton could get snaps vs. Buffalo. Maye shapes up as a risky Week 18 fantasy play.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson started Saturday’s blowout loss to the Chargers. But Antonio Gibson led the backfield with 12 carries for 63 yards. Meanwhile, Stevenson mustered only 2 rushes for 1 yard.
Patriots S Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) is inactive for today's game against the Bills. S Kyle Dugger (ankle, illness) is active. Use Dugger as planned in IDP lineups.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 69 yards in Sunday's blowout loss to Arizona. He out-carried Antonio Gibson 13-7.
Patriots WR Demario Douglas (ankle) is active for today’s game vs. the Colts. He was limited in practice all week, but we never heard anything to suggest he was in danger of missing this one. Douglas remains a fine WR4 in PPR leagues.
Patriots WR Demario Douglas (ankle) is expected to play vs. the Colts today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Douglas was limited in practice all week, but we never sensed any real concern about his availability for this one. Douglas remains a fine WR4 play in PPR leagues.
Patriots WR Demario Douglas (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Colts. He was limited in practice all week. We haven’t heard anything to suggest that Douglas is in danger of missing this one, but you’ll need to check back around 11:30 am ET on Sunday when we get New England’s inactives.
The league on Monday reinstated Patriots S Jabrill Peppers from the commissioner's exempt list. He missed the past seven games after early October assault charges. Peppers' next court date in the case is scheduled for January, and the NFL is reportedly continuing its own investigation.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson mustered only 13 yards on 8 carries in Week 12. He failed to catch either of his two targets in a blowout loss to Miami.
Patriots QB Drake Maye threw for 282 yards, two TDs, and one INT in the Week 11 loss to the Rams. He completed a season-high 75% of his passes and averaged 7.1 yards per attempt. Maye hooked up with WR Kendrick Bourne and OL Vederian Lowe for the TDs. His INT came on an overthrow down the middle of the field with less than two minutes to go. Maye added 27 rushing yards on three carries.
Patriots S Kyle Dugger is active for today's game against the Rams. He missed the past three weeks with an ankle injury but practiced throughout the week and should be ready for IDP use. Expect Jaylinn Hawkins to join him at safety, with Marte Mapu inactive for the game.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson ran 20 times for 74 yards in the Patriots win against the Bears. He also caught one pass for three yards. Stevenson remained inefficient, but did not find the end zone, which has saved his recent fantasy days.
Patriots QB Drake Maye returned from a concussion to post 206 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs against Tennessee. He starred as a rusher with 95 yards on 8 attempts.
Patriots S Kyle Dugger is inactive for today's game against the Titans, marking the second straight game he'll miss with an ankle sprain. That leaves Jaylinn Hawkins and Marte Mapu as the starting safeties. LB Christian Elliss -- who was also questionable -- is active vs. Tennessee.
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