Patriots begin offseason workouts: What to watch for during OTAs and minicamp

Monday marked the official beginning of spring practices for the Patriots, who held their first of 10 OTA sessions. These practices will take place over the course of the next three weeks, leading up to mandatory minicamp in mid-June. After that, there will be about six weeks off before training camp begins in late July.

As the Patriots begin OTAs, it’s important to remember there is a difference between these practices and the ones we’ll see later this summer. Bill Belichick has pointed out in the past that he views these sessions as a “teaching camp,” as opposed to the July workouts which he has described as a “competitive camp.”

These next few weeks are for the entire roster – especially new players – to get on the same page with the coaching staff, as well as each other. “[We’re] just trying to get an opportunity for everyone to learn what to do and then we’ll evaluate it when we get to training camp,” Belichick said of OTAs in 2019. He added that it’s only when the intensity ramps up in training camp that the coaches truly start evaluating players in terms of the final roster.

While that means no positional battles will likely be won or lost over the next month, there’s still information we can take away from these Patriots practice sessions. One of the biggest areas of interest is where players are lining up in team drills, and what positional groups they are working with. Given the depth of NFL experience on the Patriots’ 90-man roster, versatility will be a key as ever when it comes to making roster decisions.

For example, let’s say two players are competing for the backup job at a given position. Player A is the second-best player at that position, but can only play that position. Player B is the third-best player at that position, but can also play another position, projects to a third, and can contribute on special teams. In this scenario (albeit a very simplified one), Player B likely would have the inside track on a roster spot between the two.

With positional versatility a major theme, here’s some things to watch for over the next month as OTAs and minicamp get underway.

• Who is in attendance?

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  Before we start talking about individual players or positional groups, it’s important to remember OTAs are optional. Players may have workout bonuses in their contracts they get for attending, but there’s nothing financially or contractually requiring them to attend these practices.
  
  This year in particular, there’s been a push to hold a ‘more virtual’ offseason training program by the NFLPA. A statement released by the players through the union last month said “many of us will be exercising our right to not attend voluntary workouts this offseason.”
  
  How many players is ‘many?’ We won’t know until the first attendance report comes out. But there’s a chance some key players may not take the field until mandatory minicamp.

• Quarterback throwing order

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  This is probably more of a reminder and less of something to watch for. Of course, plenty of attention will be paid to how things shake out at the quarterback position. But remember that context is key when evaluating players in a camp setting.
  
  When the Patriots began camp last year, Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham were both viewed as candidates for the starting quarterback job. However, during the first practice it was Brian Hoyer who got to throw first, followed by Stidham, then Newton, then UDFA Brian Lewerke. This had nothing to do with the depth chart, but instead was based on each player's tenure with the team.
  
  As everybody waits for the Cam Newton/Mac Jones QB battle to begin, don’t be surprised if we see something similar again this year. It shouldn’t be a surprise if Hoyer throws first on Day 1 of camp, even though he was demoted to the third-string quarterback last year and was a free agent until last week. The most we can learn from the throwing order is if it deviates from the traditional plan (ex. Jones throwing anywhere but last).

• Is Rhamondre Stevenson in the running back rotation?

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  The Patriots begin spring practices with a spot to fill in their running back rotation. Three of their four main backs from last year return - Damien Harris, Sony Michel, and James White. However, Rex Burkhead is still unsigned and recovering from a severe knee injury.
  
  There’s a number of ways the Patriots could look to fill that open spot. J.J. Taylor enters his second season after a brief but successful rookie campaign. Brandon Bolden returns from his opt out year, and although he’s been primarily a special teams player, the team has been willing to use him as a third or fourth running back in the past.
  
  While Taylor and Bolden would work in terms of general depth, if the Patriots want a player who best emulates Burkhead’s skillset, their best option would be fourth-round pick Rhamondre Stevenson. If he wasn’t a rookie, Stevenson would be an obvious fit, but Bill Belichick has been hesitant to play first-year running backs in the past.
  
  Could Stevenson break that mold and see significant playing time this year? If that’s going to happen, he’ll need to prove to be a quick learner and accelerate through the team's offseason program. As of last week, Stevenson was split off with the rest of the Patriots rookies, although that's not unusual at this point on the calendar.
• Who is playing fullback?

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  As the Patriots shift back to a two tight end offense, the number of snaps involving a fullback will likely decrease. That’s not the only shakeup that could be coming - the fundamental way they view the position could change as well.
  
  For the better part of the past decade the Patriots have used traditional blocking fullbacks such as James Develin and Jakob Johnson. However, the team departed from their typical mold last year signing Danny Vitale, who returns after opting out of the 2020 season. Dalton Keene could also end up playing some fullback, as he’s a guy who will need to provide some positional versatility to improve his chances of making the final roster.
  
  We’ll be able to learn a lot more about the future of the fullback position when pads come on in training camp, but seeing what kind of work Johnson, Vitale, and Keene are getting will be an early hint.

• Versatility up front (offense)

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  The Patriots’ offensive line group is not only loaded with talent, but versatility as well. What combination will prove to be the most efficient? That’s what we’re going to find out over the coming months.
  
  Michael Onwenu is the most notable name when discussing the Patriots’ moving pieces. He should start, but the question is where. Will the team keep him at tackle, where he shined as a rookie? Or move him back to his natural position of guard to replace Joe Thuney? The latter seems the most likely, but we’ll know for sure once we see the team in action.
  
  Another name to keep an eye on is rookie sixth-round pick William Sherman. Sherman started at both tackle spots in college, and worked out at guard and center during the pre-draft process. If that work inside continues in New England, and he progresses well enough, he could save the Patriots a roster spot by allowing them to carry one less backup G/C. The team signed two such players last week.

• Versatility up front (defense)

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  Much like the offensive line, the Patriots defensive front seven has a number of players that can jump from spot to spot. Those abilities will end up being key factors with tough cuts coming along the defensive line and among the linebackers.
  
  Chase Winovich is among those who could end up moving around in 2021. He was up-and-down in 2021 (as was his playing time) and the team invested heavily on the edge in the offseason.
  
  As the defense shifts to a 3-4, he could find a new role as a multidimensional linebacker. Winovich has shown he can get after the quarterback coming around the edge. Yet one of his best games last season came against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, when he saw a significant number of snaps in an early-down middle linebacker role. If he can prove that game was more than a flash, it could lead to a significant increase in playing time.
  
  Fellow Michigan product Josh Uche is another player who could benefit from moving around the formation. With Matt Judon and Kyle Van Noy added to the roster, there won’t be as many snaps available on the edge as there were last year. He played some middle linebacker last season, and his speed and athleticism make him an obvious candidate for an expanded coverage linebacker role.
• How does Dont’a Hightower look?

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  It was somehow both brought up plenty and understated how much the Patriots missed Dont’a Hightower last season. Their defensive front just wasn’t the same without one of the best downhill players in football.
  
  Hightower is set to return after opting out of the 2020 season. How will the 31-year-old look after a year off? And will his role change in the restocked Patriots defense? He’ll have plenty of eyes on him when OTAs open up to the media, assuming he's in attendance.

• Cornerback/safety crossover

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  One of the biggest questions still existing about the Patriots’ roster is who will be the third outside cornerback, replacing Jason McCourty as the backup for Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson. As things stand right now, there isn’t an obvious choice to take over in that spot.
  
  Joejuan Williams and Jalen Mills seem as though they would be the frontrunners for that role, but it’s not that simple. Although Williams was drafted as a cornerback, he’s played more of a safety role in his limited snaps in New England. Mills was also drafted as a corner, and played the position for four years, but struggled before moving to safety in 2020, which led to a career year.
  
  Will the Patriots move either player - or both - back towards the cornerback position? If so, OTAs would be the time to start that process.

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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.