The New England Patriots have made significant moves this offseason to strengthen their special teams unit, highlighted by the drafting of kicker Andres Borregales and long snapper Julian Ashby. Ashby, selected in the seventh round, will compete with veteran Joe Cardona, the longest-tenured member of the team. Ashby expressed excitement about joining a franchise with a winning legacy and aims to learn from Cardona, a two-time Super Bowl champion. The addition of Ashby marks the first time the Patriots have drafted a long snapper since 2015 and indicates their commitment to enhancing their special teams performance.

In an unexpected move, the New England Patriots drafted long snapper Julian Ashby from Vanderbilt in the seventh round, despite having veteran Joe Cardona on the roster. Cardona, a two-time Super Bowl champion, has been a reliable asset since 2015. Patriots vice president Eliot Wolf justified the decision by stating they viewed Ashby as the top long snapper available and wanted to foster competition. Notably, Cardona, now 32, has been a staple in the position, raising questions about the team’s long-term strategy. With Cardona having no established backup after Tucker Addington's departure, the Patriots are clearly prioritizing depth and competition in a critical role often overlooked in the draft.

New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye is set to make his second start against the Jacksonville Jaguars, despite a knee issue that appeared on the injury report. Maye expressed confidence in his readiness, stating he felt good during practice leading up to the game.

Coach Jerod Mayo echoed this sentiment, indicating that Maye has been taking the majority of first-team reps. The Patriots are looking to bounce back from a tough loss, while running back Rhamondre Stevenson is a game-time decision after recovering from a foot injury.

The New England Patriots are desperate for a victory as they prepare for their Week 6 clash with the Houston Texans, having lost four consecutive games to sit at 1-4 this season.

This matchup marks the starting debut of rookie quarterback Drake Maye, generating considerable excitement among fans. However, the team will be without key running back Rhamondre Stevenson due to a foot injury, adding to their injury woes.

Stevenson has been a significant contributor this season, but his absence puts pressure on Antonio Gibson and JaMycal Hasty to perform well in the ground game.