FOXBOROUGH – The impact of Mike Vrabel’s presence in Foxborough has been undeniable already.

Are the Patriots suddenly a 10-win team that will be fighting for a playoff spot? Well, no, they haven’t even put pads on yet. But, there’s plenty of encouraging signs coming out of voluntary OTAs and heading into the mandatory minicamp portion of the offseason that runs next Monday through Wednesday.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the offseason so far:

Fair to question Maye still

Look, the first open OTA that the media saw was not pretty. There’s absolutely no way to deny that. Four interceptions in training camp, mini camp, OTAs or even a flag football game is unacceptable. With that in mind, there’s no reason for people to be worried about Drake Maye being a bust already. It’s year two and he’s in another brand new offense. Nothing was ever going to look seamless this spring. In fact, it’s encouraging that he’s making mistakes and learning from them now under Josh McDaniels, who pointed out that Maye isn’t a ‘repeat offender’ when he spoke on Monday morning. After the Mac Jones disaster, patience is the key with Maye. He was put in an extremely awkward and difficult situation last year with a staff that not only was incompetent, but seemingly hated each other at times as well. We’ve seen the arm talent. We saw some of the leadership skills when he wasn’t afraid to speak up in the second half of the season. Have faith in McDaneils (who turned Jones into a playoff QB and won 10 games with Matt Cassell) and trust that Maye is going to take that leap in 2025.

Or, at least wait until training camp to start freaking out about the organization’s future with him under center.

Offensive line seems to be heading in the right direction

Admittedly, we’re a little bias here at NEFJ having covered BC during Doug Marrone’s time there last season. But, by all accounts, the room is enjoying being coached by him and it hasn’t looked like a complete disaster during a camp designed for the offense to succeed. Garrett Bradbury brings a David Andrews-like calming presence at center for Maye and Morgan Moses has already been a fantastic leader, spending 15-20 minutes with guys in quiet sessions after practice. Marrone spoke about Campbell and said he’s been going about his business as a true professional. On the field, does Campbell look a bit smaller than you’d expect a left tackle in the NFL to look? Sure, but he’s clearly gotten to this point for a reason and hasn’t stood out negatively in any way on the field during team periods. He’s going to be fine. Relax. You also still have Mr. Steady Mike Onwenu who should be much more comfortable this year with a regular position and full health.

No denying the culture shift

It’s so evident as soon as guys take the field or when they’re talking to the media. That goes for coaches and players. The messaging is clear and concise. Everyone is on the same page (except for the Diggs thing, we’ll get to that…) and it’s clear how much respect Vrabel already commands from his players. Sure, Jerod Mayo was a former player too, but having a former player who has also been a head coach and dealt with everything it entails just brings more confidence to the entire building. There’s no ‘oh no, what can go wrong today?’ type of feeling around 1 Patriot Place anymore. It’s businesslike from the time players jog up the steps to the time they break down the team huddle following conditioning. For lack of a better term, it feels like adults are finally in charge again.

Diggs can truly be a difference maker, but wide receivers still a question

Right now, if you made me choose, there’s six receivers making the team. Stefon Diggs, Kendrick Bourne, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and Efton Chism III. The Chism III hype could be real, but until he actually has to go beat Christian Gonzalez or Carlton Davis off the line of scrimmage with pads on, everything he’s done so far should be taken with a grain of salt. Having said that, he could be another Julian Edelman-like player. He’s caught everything thrown his way and simply gets open. Hollins hasn’t participated in the voluntary part of the spring and summer, so it’d be nice to see him suit up next Monday just to see how it looks with him in the offense. Bourne was at OTAs two of three days we saw and can still be a productive player, especially under McDaniels. Boutte is still one of the faster guys you have and built a good on-field chemistry with Maye last season. He and Diggs led off each individual drill competing against each other on Monday, so if anyone could get a boost in confidence with a guy like Diggs around, he stays. Williams might be the fastest receiver the team has had outside in a long, long time and hopefully, the first hit on a receiver selected since Malcolm Mitchell. Ja’Lynn Polk hasn’t worked with the team during 11-on-11 and Javon Baker has had a few noticeable mental lapses in team and individual periods.

The Diggs Experience is already on. He looked healthy, quick and most importantly, like a No. 1 receiver when we saw him on Monday. He wasn’t in team stuff (Mike Giardi reported he had not yet passed his physical, which explains why), but there’s an undeniable aura and rising expectation level that permeates throughout the team when he’s out there. As long as he’s not videoed in Boston or down the Cape passing things out, fans shouldn’t hide their expectations or excitement for the biggest outside-the-organization name the team has had at the position since Randy Moss. This could be the full WR1 experience. Enjoy the ride.

Ultimately, this could be a good, perhaps underrated group, just need to see it on a regular basis and with everyone all together.

Best running back room in a while

Depth and a bunch of it.

Rhamondre Stevenson humorously pointed out that he’s already been yelled at plenty by his new (old) offensive coordinator for much of the same playbook, so there’s familiarity there and he seems to be in a good place mentally. Stevenson addressed ball security and knows it has to be better, but it could be a big help to have a lighter workload. If you have a 1-2 of him and rookie Tre’Veyon Henderson, you’re in a good spot with a bit of a resurgence at the RB position around the league now too.

Again, it’s tough to really know a ton without pads on, but Henderson has been a great pass catcher, quick to hit a hole on a draw or find more space on a screen once he’s got the ball in his hands. With OTAs basically a passing camp, we haven’t seen any of that famous pass protection yet, but he looks the part so far. Rex Burkhead 2.0 appears to be Lan Larison. Not just because he’s wearing No. 34, but he legitimately does a lot of what Burkhead used to do out of the backfield and is seemingly a nice addition already. Don’t forget about Antonio Gibson too. Gibson should have had the ball in his hands last season and is a great compliment to Stevenson and Henderson. Assuming health, this feels a little like one of those rooms Ivan Fears had back in the day.

Tight end group a little worrisome

Eh.

Hunter Henry is steady and should still be a very valuable security blanket for Maye, but obviously he’s getting a bit older. It’d be nice to have a legitimate second option and that should be Austin Hooper, except he’s dealing with something and we didn’t see much of him during OTAs. If he’s fine, then they’re fine there, but after that it’s pretty thin. Jaheim Bell has dropped a few balls and we haven’t seen much from Jack Westover, C.J. Dippre or Gee Scott Jr.

It wouldn’t be surprising at all as of now to see them bring in another player or two at the position once other teams start making releases and cuts. D

Full confidence this defense will be elite

It’s not even worth singling out any of the positions because I believe they’re deep everywhere.

With Gonzalez and Davis III locked in as the top two, guys like Alex Austin, Marcus Jones and Marcellas Dial Jr. can all contribute and not have to carry extra weight or responsibilities. At linebacker, Robert Spillane appears to be that next go-to leader in the middle with Christian Elliss and Jahlani Tavai – assuming he’s alright after the reported calf injury – are good players. Harold Landry has been very noticeable off the edge at times already and was brought here as a core locker room guy as well. Elliss also has an excellent leadership quality about him when you listen to him talk. Rookie Bradyn Swinson and newcomer Jack Gibbens are versatile. The turnover in the offseason there was significant.

Of course, this front could be so, so damn good. With Barmore and Williams in the middle and guys like rookie Josh Farmer already making a significant impact at the line of scrimmage (I know, no pads…) the sky is the limit. Then, you add Keion White and either Landry or former Harvard standout Truman Jones off the edge, they’re dangerous and very hard to block. I mention Jones not just for a local guy plug, but because he’s jumped out at times and is one of the few players that Vrabel has held onto so far from the past regime. Jeremiah Pharms, Khyiris Tonga and Jacqueline Roy are all guys that will be competing for a roster spot in August, which should make life difficult on this developing O-line.