Five storylines we're tracking at Patriots-Commanders joint practice

Five storylines we're tracking at Patriots-Commanders joint practice originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

FOXBORO - When the Patriots and Commanders go at it on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium, it'll be an opportunity for both coaching staffs to learn about their teams.

They'll learn about specific players who haven't yet cemented roles. They'll find out how they stack up against another club after two weeks of hammering away at themselves.

In New England, it's a chance to gauge how Mike Vrabel has changed things. It's an opportunity for the young franchise quarterback to go throw-for-throw with the player taken one spot ahead of him - a player coming off a rookie season that already has him in the conversation as one of the best in the league. It's an opportunity for the young franchise left tackle to prove he was worthy of a top-five pick.

Here are the five storylines we find to be most interesting ahead of Wednesday's joint session...

1. Can Drake Maye keep pace with Jayden Daniels?

One made a conference championship game as a rookie. The other won just one game in which he played wire-to-wire. But just one draft slot will forever separate Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels, and the comparisons - fair or not - are unavoidable.

If Maye can come away from Wednesday having given as much as he got in this quarterback competition, it will serve as evidence of how much he's grown headed into Year 2.

While Daniels will be shorthanded to a degree - Terry McLaurin is holding in for a new contract - he will still have players like Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz at his disposal. Maye could have an issue holding his own because his weaponry is limited.

Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte - Maye's top three targets for the majority of camp - have a chance to prove they can win their matchups against starting-level defenders. They've seen mostly backup corners in camp with Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis missing time due to injury.

2. Can Will Campbell allay the concerns of onlookers?

Vrabel's first draft choice in New England hasn't been dominant at left tackle. Will Campbell has one particularly difficult practice a week ago, losing reps to K'Lavon Chaisson in 11-on-11 and rookie Bradyn Swinson (Campbell's LSU teammate) in a 1-on-1 period. But he's also shown flashes of power and athleticism that made him the No. 4 overall pick in the spring.

Campbell is in a bit of a lose-lose situation Wednesday when it comes to his critics and how they may react to his performance. If he struggles, panic buttons will be smashed across a region hungry for competent tackle play. If he doesn't, folks may look at the likes of Commanders edge rushers Von Miller (36 years old) and Deatrich Wise Jr. (31) and wonder if Campbell was tested sufficiently.

Odds are, for a tackle still learning the NFL ropes, a mixed bag should be expected. And that may be the case throughout camp and the early part of the season. But the Patriots like the work he's done to this point and believe in his upside to handle one of the game's most critical positions for the long haul.

Will Campbell has the It Factor' according to veteran Morgan Moses

3. What kind of discipline does Vrabel's defensive front display?

Milton Williams said it. This defense - specifically what players are asked to do up front - is all about having an attacking mindset. It's a bit of a change from the system he was in with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in Philly.

With Fangio," he said last week, it was kind of more that we were getting off but we were kind of reading at the same time, playing the front. This is like, we're attacking, they're reading us, and we're attacking."

In training camp practices, quarterbacks aren't typically looking to scramble. But that's one of Daniels' strengths. And if the Patriots defense is so set on attacking up front that it leaves Daniels gaping rushing lanes, then Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams will know they have to get that cleaned up in short order.

There's no shortage of athletic quarterbacks on their schedule, and keeping them inside the pocket will likely be a weekly focus.

First test is Wednesday.

4. Can the Patriots line provide Maye clean pockets?

It's been muddy in the Patriots' backfield at times - specifically in key situations like third down or in the red zone, where perhaps Patriots defensive coaches have dialed up pressures or games at the line. During 11-on-11 work, Maye often has had to side-step pressure or work in traffic in the backfield as he goes through his reads.

The Commanders aren't loaded on the edge, but Maye's interior protectors - right guard Mike Onwenu, center Garrett Bradbury and left guard Jared Wilson - could have their hands full Wednesday. In both the run and pass games, Daron Payne, Eddie Goldman, Jacob Kinlaw and Johnny Newton make up what (on paper) looks like a line-of-scrimmage-moving combination.

5. Any chance of a McLaurin deal?

McLaurin is on PUP and isn't expected to practice Wednesday, but if he and the Commanders are at loggerheads on a new deal... any chance the Patriots could swoop in and upgrade their receiving room?

Wouldn't be difficult to open those lines of communication this week. Though it's been made clear McLaurin isn't available just yet, it'd be interesting to find out how far the Patriots would be willing to go for McLaurin in the hopes of prying him away from the team he's helped lead since he was draft in 2019.

Is there an aggressive trade offer the Patriots could throw Washington's way - remember, they offered Chris Godwin a massive contract to try to get him out of Tampa Bay - that might force the Commanders to consider making a move that they, to this point, have been unwilling to make?