FOXBORO >> Rookie quarterback Drake Maye dodged the turnover bug Wednesday in practice, but the Patriots’ offense continued to sputter during the second week of organized team activities.

Elsewhere, a Patriots free-agent pickup made some noise, a high draft pick made the play of the day, and an undrafted free agent was a favorite target.

Here are the Herald’s complete observations from Wednesday’s voluntary OTAs practice.

Attendance

Absent: Cornerback Carlton Davis, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, offensive tackle Caedan Wallace, tight end Austin Hooper

Non-participant: Wide receiver Mack Hollins

Limited: Wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, guard Mike Onwenu, center Jared Wilson, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, safety Kyle Dugger, defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy, defensive tackle Wilfried Pene, running back Rhamondre Stephenson, linebacker Jahlani Tavai, safety Marcus Epps, running back Trayveon Williams

Non-contact jersey: N/A

Notes: Diggs had been photographed at practice last week but wasn’t present Wednesday. Head coach Mike Vrabel addressed a video making the rounds after Memorial Day weekend of Diggs sharing a clear plastic bag containing an unknown substance with women on a boat.

“It’s something that we’re aware of,” Vrabel said. “Obviously, we want to make great decisions on and off the field.”

Davis, Wallace and Hooper were new absences since last week. Right tackle Morgan Moses increased his participation. Stevenson was back on the field, albeit in a limited capacity, after missing the early portion of spring practices mourning his father.

Play of the Day

Williams’ over-the-shoulder snag

Player of the Day

Milton Williams

QB corner

Drake Maye: 9/17 ; Joshua Dobbs: 10/17, interception; Ben Wooldridge: 4/6

It’s still May, so there’s plenty of time left before the 2025 season is set to begin three and a half months from now in early September. But it’s also fair to say that after an extremely promising rookie season, the expectation was that Maye would come out during OTAs looking better than he’s performed so far. He’s still a young player, and he’s learning a new offense with Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator. So, there were some growing pains to be expected, but Maye’s accuracy was a major highlight in 2024, and it’s been lacking through two spring practices open to the media.

Maye began 3-of-3, hitting rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, Kyle Williams and Kendrick Bourne on short passes. But he had notable misses high to Bourne, behind tight end Jack Westover and batted at the line of scrimmage in his second turn. He was way off on a pass to tight end Hunter Henry, behind Bourne and threw low on a drop by Henderson in his third turn. He threw incomplete with pressure from Williams in his face on his last turn and also fumbled a snap.

Maye was also underthrowing deep balls during individual drills. One of his best throws went to Henry, fitting the ball through coverage while throwing on the move.

Dobbs’ interception came on a drop from wide receiver John Jiles into Battle’s waiting arms. Dobbs chased down Battle before it could become a pick-six. Dobbs had a pass batted at the line and also had some issues with accuracy, throwing high to wide receiver Efton Chism and behind tight end CJ Dippre.

Studs

RB Lan Larison: The undrafted rookie out of UC Davis continues to see an increase of work with Stevenson limited. He responded by catching 4-of-4 targets during team drills.

DE Keion White: White handily beat rookie left tackle Will Campbell, forcing an incompletion from Maye to Bourne, during 11-on-11 drills.

Duds

WR Kayshon Boutte: Boutte is seeing plenty of time on the field but was not targeted in 11-on-11s.

CB Miles Battle: The second-year cornerback intercepted Dobbs but also was in coverage on two long completions to Javon Baker and Kyle Williams.

Offensive notes

Top targets in team drills: Bourne 3/6, Larison 4/4, Henry 3/4, Baker 3/4, RB Antonio Gibson 2/3, Chism 2/3

Drops: Jiles, Harrison

Biggest takeaways on offense: inaccuracy and miscommunication. It’s not a major surprise with Maye, Dobbs and the offense learning a new system, but it would be nice to see it all cleaned up by the time the Patriots break for the summer after minicamp.

It was a bit of a rollercoaster ride for Baker in practice. He dropped a pass during an individual drill and a deep pass before team sessions began. But he also made a nice grab over Battle on a pass from Dobbs. In the next session, he hauled in a deep pass from Wooldridge, though there was hand-fighting and a potential push-off from Baker before he made the catch. Baker celebrated after the play, and Vrabel made it clear he wanted him back in the huddle. After practice, Vrabel continued coaching Baker as they walked off the field.

Tyrese Robinson saw an uptick in playing time during practice as the Patriots continue to sort out the top left guard spot in their offense. Robinson, 25, has spent time with the Commanders, Eagles and Vikings since going undrafted out of Oklahoma in 2022. He signed to the Patriots’ 53-man roster in November.

Tight end Jaheim Bell, who appears behind Westover on the depth chart early in OTAs, made an impressive diving catch on a throw from Dobbs.

Moses stayed after practice to work with Campbell and fellow offensive linemen Marcus Bryant, Jack Conley and Demontrey Jacobs.

Defensive notes

Top personnel during team periods: defensive linemen Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White and Khyris Tonga; linebackers Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jahlani Tavai, Jack Gibbens, Harold Landry, Anfernee Jennings and K’Lavon Chaisson; defensive backs Christian Gonzalez, Alex Austin, Marcus Jones, Miles Battle, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylin Hawkins, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler.

Interceptions: Battle

Pass breakups: None

Defensive notes

The defense continues to perform better than the offense early in the spring. Once again, it’s all unpadded, but the Patriots’ defensive front was able to generate consistent pressure against an offensive line with plenty of moving pieces.

Elliss and Jennings had would-be sacks during 11-on-11 drills. Elliss also punched out the ball after a completion to Kyle Williams for a fumble.

Pettus received praise for the way he defended a deep ball from Dobbs to Baker on an incompletion. Cornerback D.J. James was also in coverage on the play. Pettus was an undrafted standout last season. He’ll have to battle to make the roster this season, however, with Dugger, Peppes and Epps providing more experience, Woodson coming on board as a fourth-round pick and Schooler a lock through special teams. Pettus appears to be fighting for a roster spot with Epps, Hawkins, Marte Mapu and Josh Mikins.

Mapu and rookie Kobie Minor forced incompletions in coverage.

Special teams

Rookie kicker Andy Borregales and his veteran competition, Parker Romo, were both 3-of-4 on field goals. Borregales’ miss was from longer.

Douglas, Jones, Polk, Chism and Williams all handled punt return duties.

Star special teamer Brenden Schooler and backup corner Marcellas Dial were the team’s top gunners on punt team.