In most years, NFL minicamps would represent little more than the end of the offseason.
But 2021, of course, is not most years.
Across the league, players have negotiated the reduction or elimination of Organized Team Activities and minicamp practices. It’s unknown what, if any, conversations were held in Foxboro, where voluntary OTAs have consistently drawn more than half the roster. But starting Monday, the Patriots are scheduled to hold three straight mandatory practices.
More than a first glimpse at Bill Belichick’s remade defense or another look at rookie quarterback Mac Jones, this year’s minicamp offers a potential competitive advantage. The goal of spring practices is to lay a foundation for the summer, and consequently the season, through drill work and play installation. So if new veterans and young Patriots can manage a stronger grasp on their playbook and fundamentals relative to the rest of the NFL, that’s an edge they can build on in training camp.
But setting aside passing mechanics, pad level and blitz packages, here’s what to follow this week in Foxboro.
Players to watch
QB Mac Jones
If Cam Newton remains sidelined with his right hand injury, Jones should see increased reps in team drills, the most valuable periods for any quarterback. To date, Jones has looked as advertised in those reps: quick to throw and process, accurate enough, with periodic rookie hesitation. Last Thursday, the coaching staff limited him to nine snaps in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work, though it would be a surprise to see them further limit the first-round rookie.
Everyone needs to learn more about what the kid can do.
LB Dont’a Hightower
Welcome back, captain.
Hightower participated in his first OTA practice Thursday, looking noticeably slimmer as he settled into his old spot in the middle of Belichick’s defense. The 31-year-old worked with a mix of backups and starters. It will be impossible to tell how well-suited Hightower is for rigors of the NFL strictly from minicamp, but if he continues to move well, that’s a good sign.
CB Stephon Gilmore
It’s possible Gilmore, who’s scheduled to make roughly half the money other elite corners will this season, could skip minicamp as a negotiating tactic to help earn himself a raise. If not, it bears watching how healthy he looks after a torn quad cut his 2020 season short.
Furthermore, Gilmore’s ability to shut down opposing No. 1 wideouts has been the starting point for most defensive game plans since late in the 2018 season. Having reloaded his defensive roster, will Belichick take the same approach in Gilmore’s age-31 season?.
Based on his performance last year, J.C. Jackson isn’t ready for that responsibility. In fairness, few corners are. But one of them already plays for the Patriots, and might beyond this season, if the two sides can strike a longer-term agreement.
Top position battles
Quarterback: No explanation needed here. While Newton is the starter, and the Patriots are rostering four quarterbacks, it’s hard to imagine both of those holding true through the entire season. What happens this week will set the tone for training camp.
Wide receiver: The sooner Nelson Agholor or Kendrick Bourne can master the playbook, the better. The Pats offense is notoriously difficult for receivers to pick up, even veterans, and the team is counting on one of them to step into a starting role. As they continue to learn, don’t be surprised if Jakobi Meyers looks like the team’s No. 1 option this week. He’s enjoyed a strong spring.
Behind them, 2019 first-rounder N’Keal Harry could be fighting for a roster spot next to undrafted second-year wideouts Isaiah Zuber and Kristian Wilkerson.
Edge defender: It’s safe to assume Matt Judon, the Pats’ highest-paid defender ever, will start at one outside linebacker spot. But the other? That’s anyone’s guess.
Kyle Van Noy is the odds-on favorite, though he might slide to inside linebacker, pending future roster changes or game-plan wrinkles. Second-year pass-rusher Josh Uche practiced like his hair was on fire throughout OTAs. Chase Winovich could use a bounce-back season. Might a player like rookie Ronnie Perkins or returned veteran Harvey Langi surprise?
Offensive storylines
Where is Cam Newton?
Every rep counts, so even if Newton’s hand injury isn’t serious, as Belichick disclosed last week, any time he misses is notable. Newton reportedly threw Friday during the team’s last OTA session, and could be limited throughout the week.
How many 2-tight end snaps do they run?
Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith are the new suns around which this offense will revolve.
Together, they form the best tight end duo in the league, which will allow offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to attack defenses that load the box via play-action and exploit teams that treat Henry and Smith like receivers by running it down their throats. It’s the NFL’s best Catch-22.
Minicamp will offer the first chance to see Smith in a Patriots uniform, after he skipped the OTA sessions open to the media. Perhaps more importantly, it will be reporters’ first look at Henry since he suffered a minor leg injury in last Thursday’s practice and did not return.
Where on the O-line is Mike Onwenu?
The Patriots’ standout rookie O-lineman quickly proved to be one of the team’s 10 best players last year through successful starts at right tackle and left guard. He’s practiced at both spots so far this spring, but his full-time position will depend on his line mates. If left tackle Isaiah Wynn — who missed several OTAs — is out, the staff will likely keep Onwenu at right tackle, with veteran Ted Karras playing next to Wynn’s replacement, Trent Brown, at left guard.
If Wynn is in attendance, expect Onwenu to claim the left guard position, with Brown in his projected home at right tackle.
What does Harry have left?
The bust label is coming fast for the only Patriots receiver drafted in the first round under Belichick. Harry did not flash in any of the three OTA practices open to the media. He is, at best, the team’s No. 4 wideout now, with Zuber closing fast, and another receiver, Gunner Olszewski, a lock to make the team because of his return ability.
The next few months for Harry can basically be summed up in four words: it’s now or never.
Defensive storylines
Let’s see the pass rush
One of the more notable moments from OTAs was a quiet series of defensive snaps during a period dedicated to third-down work. Hightower, Judon, Van Noy and Uche all packed close to the line of scrimmage, where defensive tackle Montravius Adams was the only player with his hand in the ground.
That type of package wreaked havoc on opponents in 2019, the last time Hightower and Van Noy teamed together, whereas last year the Pats recorded just 24 sacks. There’s no question the pass rush will improve this season. But by how much?
What can the rookies do?
If there’s anything the Patriots can count on second-round defensive tackle Christian Barmore and third-round edge rusher Perkins for this season, it should be pass rush.
Both ranked among college football’s most productive rushers on a per-snap basis last year. Barmore seems perfectly suited for a third-down role, as a natural penetrator with rare size. Meanwhile, Perkins burst off the edge on several snaps of team drills in OTAs.
With all the attention focused on Jones, it’s easy to forget the Pats could see contributions from other rookies in 2021. That is, unless one or two of these rushers make their mark on minicamp.
Does Joejuan Williams have a role?
Williams has long viewed himself as a complete defensive back capable of playing corner and safety. It doesn’t seem his coaches agree.
After what was essentially a redshirt rookie season in 2019, the Pats utilized him as a coverage specialist against tight ends last year. Williams enjoyed one standout performance against Miami’s Mike Gesicki in Week 1, before a roller-coaster season the rest of the way. Barring a breakout, he projects as the team’s fifth-best option at corner, and would be even lower on a list of best available safeties.
The arrival of Jalen Mills, who proved in 2020 he can actually bounce between corner and safety in Philadelphia, has complicated Williams’ future in Foxboro. What can he do to reverse his fortunes?
Special teams storylines
Will someone push Nick Folk?
Undrafted rookie Quinn Nordin and veteran Roberto Aguayo have been the only kickers present for spring practices. Nordin’s leg strength is plenty evident, but he admitted recently that he’s still adjusting to kicking a new ball (NFL footballs are wider). It would be an upset to see him or Aguayo unseat Folk for the starting job, though stranger things have happened.
One year ago, fifth-round rookie Justin Rohrwasser was the Pats’ only kicker, and Folk was a mere memory from the 2019 season. How quickly life in the NFL can change.
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