For the first time in a long time, the local media got to watch the Patriots rookies for just under an hour on Saturday morning on the second and final day of rookie minicamp.

40 players total – draft picks, UDFA’s and camp invitees were all in Foxborough on Friday and Saturday getting their first taste of NFL life. While there wasn’t too many actual live football situations to learn much, a few things still stood out.

Here are some key takeaways from the blustery practice session…

-Drake Maye definitely looks the part, as does Joe Milton. Both massive dudes with cannon arms, although we didn’t really get to see them stretch the field on Saturday. The talent and size definitely stands out almost immediately.

-Joey Ramos (guard/tackle from Arizona State) was the first player to make his way up the stairs and onto the upper practice fields a few minutes before 11.

-Ja’Lynn Polk made his way up and with a smile towards the cameras and reporters on hand waiting to speak to Jerod Mayo, said ‘back to work again today, let’s go!’ before sprinting out on the field.

-Around 11:07 the team broke into an indy period after a stretch to open the day. Drake Maye and Joe Milton went to throw into a giant net while other position groups went and did their own thing.

-Good to see both Vinny DePalma (assistant coach) and safety John Pupel (wearing No. 39) on hand repping BC. Pupel, Tre’Vion Sherman-Green and Dell Pettus were the only safeties out there, so during a late 7-on-7 period they each got ample opportunities to see some reps. Pupel’s speed, tackling ability and just overall football IQ should get him some more looks, whether it’s here or another camp.

-It’s way too early, but it’s hard not to already like Polk and Javon Baker. Big, smooth, catch the ball with their hands and both guys seem to already be getting along well on the field. Can’t wait to see how much they improve between now and August.

-Two other receivers that stood out were David Wallis (Randolph Macon) and Beau Corralles (Texas State). They both flashed their speed and burst during drills.

-I liked the Jaheim Bell (TE/FSU) pick when they made it and I thought he looked good in the limited action we saw him on Saturday. Smooth route runner and plucks the ball out of the air. Would love to see him be the same dangerous red zone target he was against BC in 2023 when he put up 5/76/1 in a win.

-You can definitely see why Joe Milton is such a hot topic. He absolutely throws lasers, but sometimes they’re almost TOO hard for receivers or tight ends to handle. He made some good throws but also had some ugly ones. Work in progress for sure but the arm talent and his size certainly stand out.

-I thought running backs DeShaun Fenwick (Oregon State) and Tyrell Jennings (Florida A&M) both looked pretty good. The day consisted of mainly light pass catching work for the RB’s and both guys showed an ability to catch the ball and some quickness/shiftiness.

-Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson – New England’s two offensive line picks – certainly look the part size wise and athletically. Those two, along with Charles Turner (C), Hyrin White (T)  got the majority of the reps up front.

-In a sign that things might already be much, much different, Tariq Stewart (T/NC A&T) had a false start, but didn’t have to run a lap. He absolutely would have had to under Belichick.

-Jerod Mayo spent most of his time behind the offense for the hour or so. There’s absolutely a much different vibe, even from his press conference which just felt much lighter and less egg-shell-ish than any of Bill’s that we’ve been able to attend since starting to cover the team.

-The only true competition period was two drives each for Maye and Milton in the 7-on-7 mentioned earlier. Maye took most of the reps throughout the day in everything and led off here. Maye’s drive went throw behind Bell, crosser to Wallis, quick out to Corrales, great contested catch by Baker on a comeback, another comeback for Baker and a quick out to Polk. Milton’s drive went drop by Wallis on a short comeback (on target but ball thrown too hard), missed Corrales on a slant, drop from Corrales (same thing as first throw to Wallis), short comeback (missed who but I believe Polk) and quick crosser to Terrell Jennings (RB/Florida A&M).

-At 11:55 the rookies headed to the hill for conditioning.

Good first showing for these guys, but there’s obviously a ton to be learned between now and mandatory minicamp in June.