New Pats offensive coaches talk Maye, Diggs, draft prospects and more

New Patriots quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant told reporters he has been spending plenty of time with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

"Me and Josh have been tied at the hip," he said. "We go to Dunkin Donuts every day at like 12:30 and we just talk more football. It's just a chance for me to get him 1-on-1 and pick his brain a little bit."

Marrone was asked about Missouri RT Armand Membou and the challenge of tackles flipping sides. (The Patriots just signed veteran RT Morgan Moses.)

Marrone said he coached Saints OT Jammal Brown when Brown flipped from right to left in his second year. Earned First-Team All-Pro.

Patriots WR coach Todd Downing on Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter:

"You see his football IQ and understanding of where he fits in zone concepts. He does a great job of finding a way to get open. He’s a very, very talented individual, and I’ve enjoyed the time that I’ve gotten to talk to him.

"I think any position coach would look at that situation selfishly and say, to get the most out of him and to maximize his potential as a WR, I’d love to have him for every meeting and every drill. ... As a position coach, I’d be fighting for more and more time with him."

The arm length of LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell -- a potential option for the Patriots with the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft -- has been the subject of much debate. But offensive line coach Doug Marrone doesn't view Campbell's physical traits as any sort of detriment.

"He’d been obviously productive," Marrone told reporters. "I've not noticed it being an issue for him being at the level he’s at right now."

Marrone added he recruited Campbell, Kelvin Banks Jr., Josh Conerly Jr. and other top 2025 offensive tackle products while he was at Alabama in 2021.

Josh McDaniels had high praise for Stefon Diggs, who worked closely McDaniels' brother, Texans wide receivers coach Ben McDaniels, in Houston last season.

“Stef is a unique individual. Unique player," McDaniels said. "Got a really good skill set, been a really productive player for a long time. Excited about his addition.

"My brother had an opportunity to coach him last year in Houston, so I have a bit of insight into what he’s like day-to-day. I’m really excited about having him here.”

When asked if he'd be revamping the Patriots' offense in 2025, McDaniels replied, "Definitely. That's the short answer."

While he didn't get into specifics, McDaniels noted the offense's "language" has been "refined a bit" as he and his new coaching staff prepare to hit the ground running when the team's offseason program begins.

"I think that's really getting streamlined," McDaniels said. "It's been great to have their perspective on it. Just being in the same type of language for my entire career has been good, and probably in some ways, it's been a little different than most coaches.

"So, these guys have done a tremendous job of helping us streamline it. What's most important is that the players can digest whatever it is we want to do."

When asked about second-year QB Drake Maye, McDaniels says he's "smitten" by the second-year QB.

"I haven’t had a chance to really do football with him yet … but I’m smitten by the young man in terms of just his personality," McDaniels said. "… Next week and beyond will be super helpful for me to really get to know him from a football perspective and start teaching him our language and seeing how he learns best and how he acclimates.

"I couldn't be more excited about the young man that we have."

Josh McDaniels will kick things off at 1 p.m. ET with a press conference at Gillette Stadium. After that, we'll hear from several offensive assistants, including offensive line coach Doug Marrone, wide receivers coach Todd Downing and tight ends coach/passing game coordinator Thomas Brown.

Here's a refresher on the updated coaching staff: