Patriots Stock Watch: Robert Spillane Picks Off Drake Maye Twice In Practice

Patriots stock watch: Robert Spillane picks off Drake Maye twice in practice originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

FOXBORO — The Patriots were back at home and practicing three days ahead of their Thursday night preseason finale against the Giants.

Here are the players who stood out — either for what they did or did not do.

Stock Up

Robert Spillane, LB

The top Patriots inside linebacker began practice, as he often does, as one of the first onto the field. Once there, he stayed busy as a nuisance for Drake Maye and the starting Patriots offense. 

He picked off Maye twice. The first came in 7-on-7 action when he blanketed Hunter Henry, swiveled his head around to get his eyes on the football, and wrestled it away from the tight end. Later in the session, he intercepted Maye in 11-on-11 work, dropping into what looked like zone coverage.

Big day for one of the team’s big offseason additions. 

Mack Hollins, WR

Since returning from the PUP list, Hollins has been one of New England’s best receivers. He stood out at times in joint practices with the Vikings with his frame and down-the-field ability. He caught Maye’s long scramble-drill toss in Minnesota in Saturday’s preseason win. 

Hollins continued to produce in Monday’s practice, reeling in a team-high three targets in two competitive periods. His best catch of the day happened to be Maye’s best completion — a back-shoulder throw for about a 15-yard gain along the right sideline. 

Jared Wilson, LG

Wilson was back in the starting lineup at left guard after playing with the backups in their second preseason game. He missed Day 2 of joint practices with the Vikings due to what he described as a “tweak” to his ankle, but looked healthy in the game Saturday and in Monday’s practice.

“Be you,” Wilson said when asked about the advice he’s been given from offensive line coach Doug Marrone. “You’re here for a reason, just like everyone else. Just go out there and play football.”

Stock Down

Drake Maye, QB

There appeared to be just two competitive periods of practice on Monday — one 7-on-7 period and one 11-on-11 period. Maye went 4-for-8 in both, throwing an interception to Spillane in both.

He also took two “sacks” from Harold Landry, thanks to stunts that the defense executed against the right side of the Patriots offensive line.

The interceptions both looked like throws that Maye would want back. Spillane was all over Henry on the first interception. He may have seen Spillane’s helmet turned away from him, making him think he could sneak the football past him and into Henry’s hands. But Spillane made an impressive twisting grab.

On the second, it looked like Maye didn’t see Spillane watching him in zone coverage. 

Maye’s protection

While the right side of the line has been solid for the most part this summer, the right side has taken its share of lumps in recent practices.

That continued on Monday with Harold Landry bursting through the line twice late in the practice for “sacks” when Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu and Garrett Bradbury didn’t appear to be on the same page.

Ben Brown, LG

With Jared Wilson out during Day 2 of joint practices and playing with the backups on Saturday, it was Brown who benefitted by bumping up to the starting lineup. That move didn’t last long, though, as Wilson was the top left guard Monday, with Brown moving back to the second offense and playing right guard. 

Though Brown isn’t in the starting five, that doesn’t mean the team doesn’t want to prepare him for a role on the 53-man roster. He’s worked at center, left guard and now right guard in recent practices. If he’s on the team and not starting, he’ll have to be able to play all three interior positions.

The coaching staff seems intent on getting him ready to do exactly that.