10 Players that stood out on day 1 of 2024 Patriots training camp

FOXBORO -- The first New England Patriots training camp practice of 2024 was a relatively light one, as the team looks to bring it along slowly to start the summer.

Head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed to reporters Wednesday morning that the Patriots will hold at least seven practices before putting on full pads, meaning we're in for a lot of walkthroughs, stretching, and individual drills, with less in the way of "competitive" reps between the offense and defense.

But that doesn't mean there can't still be information to glean from practice, whether it's reps and usage or playmaking on the field. So, here are 10 players that stood out during the first open training camp practice, for one reason or another...

The rookie remains clearly behind veteran Jacoby Brissett in the pecking order for the starting quarterback role, but Maye's physical talent is likely to consistently surpass the others on the field. His most impressive play of the day was a throw on the run during 11-on-11, as he escaped the pocket to the right and hit JuJu Smith-Schuster with an intermediate pass right on the numbers.

Maye also got a chance to make plays with the deep ball. He most notably connected deep down the right sideline with Jalen Reagor during 7-on-7 (more on that catch below), and had another one to the left that went through the hands of rookie Ja'Lynn Polk. Maye's willingness to go for big plays was an encouraging sign for those wondering about how badly he wants to seize the job.

However, Maye certainly wasn't perfect. He overthrew Reagor deep toward the end zone in an early individual drill. In a late 11-on-11 period, he targeted Polk deep down the middle into double-coverage, and was lucky to overthrow him by a yard or two. He also threw a quick one well short of Kayshon Boutte, skipping before his feet.

Maye will stand out a lot during practice for his physical abilities alone, but it looks like he has a ways to go if he wants to really push Brissett for the starting job early in the season.

Reagor is the early leader in the clubhouse for the best catch of camp. Streaking deep down the right side, Maye threw him a good-but-not-great ball that shaded slightly to his outside shoulder. Reagor reached out and reeled in the catch with one hand, drawing an appropriately big cheer from the fans in attendance.

A former first-round pick in 2020, Reagor certainly has some legitimate talent. He just hasn't come close to putting it together like you'd expect for the guy drafted one pick before Justin Jefferson. He's going to need to keep making big plays like he did Wednesday in order to stick around in New England.

Polk makes the first list of camp simply because he's getting the kind of reps that suggest he could be a starter right out of the gate. That may seem like a normal or expected thing, but it's not something we're typically used to seeing for a Patriots wide receiver. Polk lined up both inside and outside in team drills and caught passes from both Maye and Jacoby Brissett, so he's been active to start off the summer.

Hooper earned his way onto the standouts list with a single catch. The former Browns tight end got behind safety Marte Mapu down the middle of the intermediate part of the field and cut toward the middle, as he dove and reeled in a dart from Brissett. Hooper is the clear candidate to be the No. 2 tight end on the roster behind Hunter Henry.

Anderson is healthy to begin camp after a trying first summer in New England, and he had a notable day. The fifth-year veteran looks to have a legitimate shot at a starting tackle job for the 2024 Patriots, likely on the right side. Chukwuma Okorafor appears to be the favorite at left tackle, but right tackle looks like a competition between Anderson and rookie Caedan Wallace.

The elder statesman of the Patriots cornerback room made the biggest defensive play of the day, tipping an ill-advised Brissett throw away from Reagor and toward safety Kyle Dugger, who made the interception. Jones lined up outside on this play and looks like he has a chance to continue playing on the perimeter, especially considering the uncertainty at that spot after second-year pro Christian Gonzalez.

Austin at times lined up opposite Gonzalez on the outside, indicating that he has a chance to carry over his surprise late-season success from 2023 over into 2024. A seventh-round pick of the Bills a year ago, Austin has an opportunity to start in his sophomore season, and may yet be a find.

Judon stood out by simply being here. He was in uniform and participated in full, including 11-on-11 drills. He also spoke at length about his contract with reporters after practice, and was his typically jovial self. Judon reiterated that he wants to stay with the Patriots, but understands that it's not totally up to him.

The other notable contract-year player for the Patriots, Godchaux could be credited with a "sack" on the 11-on-11 play that resulted in Dugger's interception of Brissett. Pass-rushing hasn't exactly been Godchaux's forte in his career, but the Patriots defensive line seems to be playing a more aggressive style up front, and that could benefit a guy like No. 92.

MORE: 7 roster battles to watch in Patriots training camp

Godchaux has yet to speak to reporters, but we'll be sure to get his thoughts on his contract situation when he finally does.

Hawkins got looks at deep safety during 11-on-11 drills. The Patriots signed Hawkins to a one-year deal in the off-season, after he spent time with both the Falcons and Chargers in 2023. He fits the profile of a true successor to Devin McCourty as a deep safety, more than Dugger or Jabrill Peppers would. Good sign for him early on.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.