The New England Patriots return to the practice field for OTAs on Tuesday in Foxboro, and we’ll be there watching closely for 985TheSportsHub.com. Here are five players we’ll have a sharp eye on as the team gets to work…

• WR Kendrick Bourne

  

  Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

• Tyquan Thornton was the only wide receiver that “stood out” for the Patriots in their first open practice, as much as any player can stand out in that setting. Bourne didn’t see as many touches, but he was spotted multiple times looking chummy with Mac Jones.

  This season is a bounce-back opportunity for Bourne after a troubled 2022, so we’re looking to see him get more involved in practices over the course of OTAs and camps.

• WR DeVante Parker

  

  Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

  If the Patriots are serious about signing DeAndre Hopkins – they continue to be mentioned in various rumors – then it would make logical sense for him to take Parker’s spot on the field as the full-time “X” outside receiver.

  So, we’re going to keep an eye on Parker, how he’s used, and whether he can leave an imprint on team drills.

• RB Pierre Strong

  

  Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

• Fellow second-year back Kevin Harris looks like the next man up after Rhamondre Stevenson in the ground game. But Strong was getting plenty of looks with the second-team offense as more of a passing down back in the last open practice.

  Strong will be a player to watch as far as whether he can ascend to a bigger role in the offense. His usage on Tuesday could provide clues.

• OT Conor McDermott

  

  Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

  We’ll have a better idea of how the offensive tackle spots are shaking out when Trent Brown is back at practice. It wouldn’t be shocking if he were absent again for Tuesday’s voluntary session.

  McDermott was used as a swing tackle last week, as the Patriots seem to like him on the right side, with Calvin Anderson stepping into Brown’s spot at left tackle. We’ll be watching to see if that setup is the same on Tuesday.

• DL Keion White

  

  Justin Berl/Getty Images

• White is huge and athletic and promises a skill set the Patriots have relatively lacked at defensive end in recent years. At the same time, Belichick doesn’t always like to play rookies right away, especially on defense, preferring to let them marinate as long as he can.

  But White may be too good not to make an earlier-than-expected impact on defense. He was heavily involved in the last open practice, with Lawrence Guy and Davon Godchaux absent. We’ll be looking to see how he’s deployed this time around.

• READ MORE:

  — Pats in on DeAndre Hopkins?
  — Patriots who stood out at OTAs
  — Sports Hub Patriots Podcast

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  Click here for complete New England Patriots coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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