The Patriots' offseason program continues on this week as they'll participate in their mandatory minicamp starting Monday afternoon.
Through three optional OTA practices we've seen some players stand out, others not participate at all, and better yet - we've received answers to some burning offseason questions.
Dondero & Kadlick - Should the Patriots sign DeAndre Hopkins?
With New England now into their final team-sanctioned activity prior to training camp, here's what to watch for at minicamp this week:
Who will show up?
Now that offseason practice can be deemed mandatory, teams can start fining players who don’t show up.
Veterans who are expected to be contributors for the 2023 Patriots that were not present for the three OTA sessions open to the media were WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, LB Matthew Judon, and OT Trent Brown.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Smith-Schuster has been held out as of late as the team is being “cautious” with him following a knee injury in last season's AFC Championship game. If he isn’t present, I wouldn't expect him to be fined.
As for Judon and Brown, they may feel that the three-day workweek is unnecessary and that avoiding injury is worth the fine.
In my opinion? They'll both be there.
Wide receiver rotation
The Patriots' wide receiver room (outside of specialists) currently consists of DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, Tre Nixon, Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas, and Ed Lee. Out of these eight, the most likely four-man rotation will be Parker, JuJu, Bourne, and Thornton. But who else will get run with the starters?
Boutte and Douglas are obvious candidates given that New England spent draft capital on them. But will Lee get a chance to shine? Will Nixon become a minicamp darling once again?
... may there be another addition to the room?
The DeAndre Hopkins situation
Free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins officially landed in Nashville on Sunday night for his visit with the Titans, and will head to Foxborough next for a meeting with the Patriots. That is - if he leaves Tennessee without a contract.
Should New England get a chance to meet with the three-time All-Pro, how soon could they get a deal done? As of now (and while it's subject to change), the Patriots are Hopkins' second and final visit. If they feel like paying up, which NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said they are "on some level", it bodes watching to see if he'll be on the payroll by week's end and if he'll be in a New England practice uniform as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday.
FWIW - this doesn't feel like a likely scenario at all.
Does Mac Jones and his offense's momentum continue?
Quarterback Mac Jones has been in complete command of the Patriots' new, revamped offense over the last several weeks. Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien has taken charge and his third-year quarterback has followed in his footsteps.
The two leaders have had their unit in the right spots, audibles and adjustments have been quickly and crisply executed, and there is a clear and coordinated understanding of what the purpose is on each play. The best part? Mac Jones looks comfortable in an NFL offense again.
So can the unit carry this momentum over into minicamp? Should Jones struggle, will he feel backup Bailey Zappe on his heels? We'll find out as early as Monday afternoon.
Marte Mapu’s emergence
Rookie third-round pick Marte Mapu has been on fire during New England’s offseason program.
The hybrid defender from Sacramento State has repped at both linebacker and safety throughout the team's OTAs and, despite donning a red non-contact practice jersey due to a torn pectoral muscle, has put the skillset that helped him win the Big Sky's Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 on full display.
There will naturally be some growing pains for the 23-year-old, so we can't expect these types of performances in every session - but where, and with who, he lines up this week will be worth a set of eyes.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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