Patriots preseason should be more meaningful this summer for the Gillette Stadium faithful.

Head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed Tuesday that rookie quarterback Drake Maye is expected to play Thursday’s preseason opener against the Panthers. Mayo’s predecessor, Bill Belichick, would never provide intel on his preseason plans days before a game.

Mayo actually said that all four quarterbacks — Maye, Jacoby Brissett, Bailey Zappe and Joe Milton III — are expected to play and that Brissett is expected to start.

Related Articles

Patriots’ offensive tackle competition unsettled as four options remain

Reports: Patriots pull out of Brandon Aiyuk trade sweepstakes after receiver’s lack of interest

Patriots training camp Day 11: Drake Maye’s solid practice spoiled late, Matt Judon sits again

Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye expected to play in preseason opener

Reports: Patriots end trade pursuit for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk

Maye is our top player to watch in Thursday night’s game, which kicks off at 7 p.m. Here’s who else to keep an eye on in Week 1 of the preseason.

QB Drake Maye

Maye’s had an up-and-down camp overall as a rookie. The 2024 third-overall pick has been consistently better in 7-on-7 situations than in 11-on-11s or 1-on-1s. Maye will need to have a strong preseason and end of camp to beat out Brissett for the starting role, which currently feels like a longshot.

One thing that Maye can do in a game that isn’t as impactful in practice is make plays with his legs, scrambling, throwing on the run and evading pressure.

WR Javon Baker

No player on the roster has made more highlight plays than Baker, the fourth-round pick out of UCF. He’s also been slightly inconsistent, which was his reputation coming out of college.

New England Patriots cornerback Azizi Hearn #42 keeps wide receiver Javon Baker #6 from making a catch during training camp at Gillette Stadium. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

Baker might just be the most physically gifted wide receiver on the roster. Watch for his high motor, late hands and explosive plays.

Baker was singled out by a team evaluator as the top standout in training camp.

WR Ja’Lynn Polk

Polk hasn’t been as explosive as Baker, but he has been more consistent. Polk has been a steady target for all of the Patriots’ quarterbacks, and it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise to see him starting Week 1.

Watch for Polk to move around the Patriots’ formations, especially if slot receiver DeMario Douglas, who’s worn a red non-contact jersey since returning to practice, doesn’t play.

LG Sidy Sow

Another player highlighted as a standout by a team evaluator, Sow has been a steady presence at left guard. He didn’t finish practice Tuesday, so a potential injury warrants watching.

But the interior offensive line of Sow, center David Andrews and right guard Mike Onwenu has been a team strength on offense.

OT Vederian Lowe

The tackle situation remains wide open, but Lowe has been a consistent presence. He started the summer at right tackle but has spent five straight sessions as the team’s top left tackle.

Lowe struggled as a starter last season with the Patriots but could be a better fit in Alex Van Pelt’s offense and with offensive line coach Scott Peters’ strike system.

LB Christian Elliss

Another camp standout, Elliss, who’s mostly known for his special teams prowess, has been solid in coverage while playing behind starters Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai.

The Patriots seemingly want more well-rounded core special-teamers. Elliss should find a roster spot as a core contributor in the kicking game who can serve as a top backup on defense.

DE Keion White

White has taken over practices as a pass-rusher. He also shined in his lone preseason action last summer against the Texans.

White should take on a major role Thursday night if Matthew Judon and Josh Uche don’t play. Neither Judon nor Uche participated in team drills Tuesday in practice.

New England Patriots Keion White and others listen to their coach during training camp at Gillette Stadium. (Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

CB Alex Austin

Austin has impressed since he joined the 53-man roster late last season. He has consistently made plays in the secondary during training camp while finding top reps opposite Christian Gonzalez at cornerback.

Austin is one of a handful of Patriots cornerbacks not only fighting for a roster spot but significant playing time.

CB Azizi Hearn

Hearn should still be viewed as a longshot to make the roster, but as one team source put it, Hearn makes plays every single day in training camp.

He faces steep competition from Gonzalez, Austin, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial, Mikey Victor, Shaun Wade and Marco Wilson to make the team. But he’s certainly turned some heads in camp.

S Dell Pettus

The Patriots might not wind up having an undrafted rookie on their 53-man roster, but Pettus has been the most impressive rookie free agent in camp. The young safety out of Troy has seen an increased role with the first-team defense with safeties Marte Mapu and Joshuah Bledsoe banged up.

Pettus had a fantastic practice Monday and broke up another pass on Tuesday.

Foxboro, MA – New England Patriots kicker Chad Ryland arrives for training camp at Gillette Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)

K Chad Ryland

Ryland has been slightly better than his competition, Joey Slye, so far in camp. Ryland is 24-of-27, while Slye is 22-of-27.

We’ll see how the Patriots divvy up kicking reps in the preseason, but Ryland, a 2023 fourth-round pick out of Maryland, has the higher upside of the two players.