Coming off the Patriots’ 28-22 loss to the Rams, Pats fans have questions about how to help rookie quarterback Drake Maye this offseason, the three most positive developments over the last 11 games and more.

Let’s answer them in our latest mailbag.

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@ted_mcgregor
From a player personnel position, what single position being fixed will help Drake Maye the most going forward?

One single position? Wide receiver. But that’s only because one single addition won’t fix the offensive line.

There’s a pretty strong case to be made that the Patriots have a bottom-five offensive line and bottom-five set of offensive playmakers. So, we’re kind of splitting hairs to single out one specific fix.

The simple answer is that one way or another, the Patriots have to make a high-end addition at wide receiver and offensive tackle this offseason, whether that’s through free agency, a trade or the draft.

Maye’s go-to receivers right now are the tight ends. In their current development, DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne are probably best as third wide receivers. The rest of the wideouts are No. 4s or lower.

And the Patriots could use upgrades at left tackle, left guard and right tackle. They need a solid developmental center, as well, if Cole Strange can’t be that player.

The Patriots need a lot of help. I’d advocate for throwing the highest offer at Tee Higgins and adding offensive tackle help in free agency. Then I’d either draft the best offensive tackle or take the best available player.

The Patriots need help all over their roster.

@NESportsFellow
Do you see Javon Baker getting more offensive snaps?

I don’t. It seems like Baker has settled into a role where he’s only getting four or five offensive snaps per game, and I don’t see a path for that increasing, especially when the Patriots benched him as a kick returner.

Here was Jerod Mayo’s explanation:

“He was back there the first couple of snaps, and he didn’t execute the way that we all had hoped he would. I know it was a big return. Even on that big return, it was one of those situations where, ‘Is he coming out, is he not coming out?’ and same thing with the second kickoff return.”

That to me reads that the rest of the kickoff return unit needs to know whether Baker is going to return it or not, and he didn’t make it obvious right away on either return.

@BostonMike_
Why was Gonzo lined up with WR3 yesterday

The Patriots reused their Week 10 game plan by having Christian Gonzalez line up on the boundary rather than shadow either of the Rams’ top wide receivers, Puka Nacua or Cooper Kupp.

It worked against the Bears for a few reasons, but it made more sense because the Bears had three top wide receivers. The Bears couldn’t just throw their weakest wide receiver against Gonzalez because they really don’t have one between D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze.

The Rams could keep Nacua and Kupp away from Gonzalez by throwing DeMarcus Robinson on his side, and they were smart enough to do that.

I don’t know why the Patriots didn’t adjust.

@garylanglais
#SerenityNow

Other than the easy ones – Drake Maye and Christian Gonzalez confirming they are good – what are the three most positive developments of the season?

Kayshon Boutte’s emergence as a starting wide receiver. If you’re looking at players who have developed this season under the new coaching staff, then Boutte is an obvious example.
I believe the offensive line has improved through extremely difficult circumstances. I think some of the pressure rates have dropped because the opposing defense has to respect Drake Maye’s skill set, but I also think that through additions made by the pro scouting staff and the coaching and adjustments of Alex Van Pelt and Scott Peters, the offensive line is doing a better job of protecting Maye and opening holes in the run game.
I’m honestly having a hard time coming up with a third one. I think the secondary has been put in a tough situation with Kyle Dugger’s injuries, Jabrill Peppers being on the commissioner’s exempt list and the lack of pass rush, and for the most part, the team’s cornerbacks and safeties have continued to play relatively well.

@texdufdaddy
Why is the coaching staff being so conservative? Not going for 2 at the end of the game, kicking the FG from the 2 yard line, etc. The team has nothing to lose and they should be one of the most aggressive teams in the league, yet they coach like it’s pre analytics.

I asked Jerod Mayo about that on Monday.

Here was his full answer:

“As I’ve said throughout the season, especially the last two weeks, I’ve alluded to the coordinators, the coaches, and myself, we’ve done a decent job, a good job of staying ahead of the game. Now, there are certain situations where alright, look, we’re going for it right here, and then it’s a tackle for a loss — and I’m not just talking about this game. I’m talking about just the season as a whole. There are situations where you have to be ready to change, and look, as I continue to evolve as a coach, as the players continue to grow and develop, we’ll see what happens. But it is a case-by-case basis.”

Based on the early part of the season, it does appear that Mayo will be a conservative coach in many situations. Maybe that will change when Mayo trusts his offense or defense more. But right now, they are being very risk averse on fourth down.