One Patriots 2024 draft pick, other than quarterback Drake Maye, could finish his rookie season in a promising fashion.

Guard Layden Robinson, who was benched twice this season, started at left guard for the first time in his NFL career in Sunday’s loss to the Colts, and head coach Jerod Mayo came away impressed.

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“Look, I thought Layden went out there and played his best game,” Mayo said Monday morning. “It wasn’t perfect by far, but definitely took a step forward.”

The Patriots had their most productive rushing performance of the season, gaining 200 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries while assisted by Maye’s five scrambles for 59 yards. The offensive line also allowed a 30.8% pressure rate, which was their second-lowest of the season.

Robinson, who had previously started at right guard, led the team with four pressures allowed and was flagged twice for holding. PFF gave him a 28.9 overall offensive grade, which was his lowest mark of the season.

If Robinson can develop at left guard, it would remove a need for the Patriots next offseason. Their next step is to get third-round pick Caedan Wallace healthy to see if he can fill their need at right tackle. Offensive lineman Cole Strange also could eventually find snaps at center, where Ben Brown is currently starting.

“Yeah, we’ll have to see. I don’t want to get into hypotheticals, and I would say if Ben has done a good job for us,” Mayo said. “We’ll see how Cole presents here in the next couple weeks and see what happens.”