In the midst of the Patriots’ shocking rise this season, they have seen huge impacts from some of their star players.
Drake Maye has been one of the league’s best quarterbacks this season in only his second year. Stefon Diggs, the team’s big offensive free agent, has been one of Maye’s top targets and had a very productive game in New England’s statement win against the Bills.
The defense has also been really solid this season, something that hasn’t happened since the departure of Bill Belichick.
But there have been players on both sides of the ball who have made an under-the-radar impact on the team’s success this season. Who has been the single most underrated for the Patriots this year?
Jaylinn Hawkins
Fans of the Patriots may not know exactly who Hawkins is, but his impact has been undeniable.
The fourth-round pick out of UC Berkeley has bounced around the league through his first six years, but has seemed to find a late home in New England. The safety signed with the Patriots in free agency two years ago for around $1 million, but re-signed with the team after playing in all 17 games last season.
This season, in five games, Hawkins has recorded 18 solo tackles and 23 total tackles. He has been flying around the field for the Patriots this season, with 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and an interception against Geno Smith and the Raiders.
Hawkins has missed two games in a row now, against the Saints and Titans. In place of him, longtime Patriot Kyle Dugger started. The Division II safety has been one of the team’s best defenders over the last five years, but has slowly lost his starting spot as he approaches his 30s. In Hawkins’ absence, Dugger was torched over top by Chris Olave early in the game against New Orleans.
It’s unknown when Hawkins will be back in the lineup, but for the time being, the Patriots are definitely missing his ball-hawking ability and ability to move around the field. If healthy, Hawkins has the chance to finish high on the team in tackles, behind linebackers Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss.
Craig Woodson
On the other side of Hawkins is Craig Woodson. He is also a fourth-round pick out of California, and has started every game.
Woodson sits at No. 3 on the team in tackles with 34 behind the aforementioned linebackers. He also has a fumble recovery this season, and has made quite an impact in the early weeks for the surprising top seed in the AFC East.
Woodson can play multiple positions, just like Hawkins, and his versatility was best shown in Week 1 against the Raiders. While he might not be a household name among Patriots fans just yet, if he continues his high level of play, he will undoubtedly get the recognition he deserves.
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Kayshon Boutte
Probably the most well-known name on this list, Boutte has been a star for the Patriots this season. The fifth-round pick out of LSU has performed as the team’s best receiver this season alongside Diggs, and has established an impressive connection with Maye.
Last season, that connection with Maye was in its infancy, as the receiver recorded nearly 600 yards and three touchdowns on 43 receptions. He proved to be a bright spot on the abysmal 4-13 team led by Jerod Mayo.
Through six games this season though, Boutte has already eclipsed his touchdown total from last season with four, and has racked up 356 yards as well.
His breakout games came against the Raiders, where he recorded six receptions for 100 yards, and against the Saints, with nearly 100 yards and two touchdowns. Despite being 5-foot-11, Boutte has exceptional bounce — he is probably the team’s best jump-ball receiver.
While Boutte may not be a targets-monster, when he gets the volume, he performs like a No. 1 receiver. If he continues to build his connection with Maye, don’t be surprised to see him atop the team in receiving yards and touchdowns this season. His future is undoubtedly bright.
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Marcus Jones
Easily the Patriots most impressive corner this season, outside of the continued excellence of All-Pro Second teamer Christian Gonzalez, is Marcus Jones. The 5-foot-8 shifty slot corner has been with the team for four years now, and has been one of their better corners.
On top of his coverage ability, Jones is one of the league’s best punt-returners, with two touchdowns and nearly 1,000 return yards in his career. He has already taken one punt home this season against the Panthers, and has the chance for big yardage every time he touches the ball.
This season, Jones has 30 tackles, one sack and two interceptions, one of which he nabbed in the crucial game against the Bills.
He has proven to be a shutdown corner this season alongside Gonzalez, and if he continues his high level of play, he is sure to get a large contract from the team as he becomes an unrestricted free-agent in 2026.
Conclusion
While none of these guys may be household names like Maye, Diggs and Gonzalez, they have shown to be impactful players for one of the NFL’s most surprising teams.
Out of the four aforementioned underrated Patriots, Woodson has been truly impactful in every game and is helping the Patriots gel into a truly good defensive team. He’s been the single-most underrated New England Patriot this season.
However, if the Patriots have playoff aspirations this season, these four need to continue playing well. If the first seven weeks are any indication, that seems likely.
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