FOXBOROUGH, Mass. –- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Rookie specialists: When the Patriots selected kicker Chad Ryland (fourth round) and punter Bryce Baringer (sixth round) in the 2023 NFL draft, they became just the second team in the last 30 years to pick a kicker and punter in the same draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders, with kicker Sebastian Janikowski (first round) and punter Shane Lechler (fifth round), were the other -- in 2000.
Entrusting those spots to rookies this year -- which is something Ryland (Eastern Michigan/Maryland) and Baringer (Michigan State) will still have to earn in training camp – has flown under the radar with Patriots media-based attention focused more on offseason changes to spark quarterback Mac Jones and the stagnant offense.