The Patriots wrapped up their spring with the third and final minicamp session Wednesday at Gillette Stadium.
This was their 13th OTA or minicamp session and Bill Belichick remarked prior to Wednesday’s practice how much was accomplished from a teaching standpoint. The coach noted how much further along they finished from where they began in late May.
While all 90 players were never on the field at the same time, they did gradually add players leading up to mandatory minicamp when only five players were missing, most for injury-related reasons.
After observing six practices, here are five takeaways from this spring for the Patriots.
1. There’s going to be a true quarterback competition
Get ready for Mac Jones vs. Cam Newton come July and August both during training camp and preseason games because there’s going to be a legitimate quarterback competition. While the practices were in t-shirts and shorts, Jones was as advertised and he did not seem threatened at all competing with Newton. It was an up-and-down few weeks for Newton, but going into training camp it feels like if Jones continues to progress like he has and Newton doesn’t do anything extraordinary, it’s the rookie’s job to lose.
2. The defense could be very good
One of the biggest issues with the 2020 Patriots was the subpar play of their defense, which ranked 15th overall. The unit will be much improved this year with getting Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy back, adding Matthew Judon and then having young players like Josh Uche and Chase Winovich back with another year of experience. That’s not even mentioning the strong backend led by Devin McCourty, Stephon Gilmore, Adrian Phillips and Kyle Dugger. With so many versatile players, the defense can matchup with almost any offense it goes up against.
3. More is needed at wide receiver
The Patriots did add Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne at the position, but it feels like another proven NFL veteran is needed. It doesn’t need to be a No. 1 option, but just a dependable player who has proven he can make plays in the league. Right now there’s Jakobi Meyers, N’Keal Harry, Gunner Olszewski, Isaiah Zuber, Kristian Wilkerson, Tre Nixon and Devin Smith to go along with Agholor and Bourne. It just feels like there’s not much certainly with that group and no one player really stood out this spring. There are a few solid players still available and it may make sense for the Patriots to take a chance on one.
4. There will be some difficult roster decisions coming
Just by watching positional groups this spring, it’s easy to see there are some deep positions, which will create some tough roster decisions when it comes to getting the roster down to 53 players. Running back, offensive line, defensive line and cornerback immediately come to mind. Some high draft picks in recent years are certainly not locks in Harry and Joejuan Williams, as it would not be a surprise if either, or even both, are not on the team come September. Of course, this is a good problem to have and it will be up to Belichick and Co. to make the right decisions.
5. Stephon Gilmore’s situation doesn’t feel like a big deal
Gilmore did not report at all this spring, as he looks to get a new contract. Right now, he’s scheduled to make $7.5 million this coming season, which obviously makes him underpaid after being the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year just two years ago. Based on how teammates answered questions about him, it feels like they believe something will get worked out soon and he will be back. Players noted they are still talking with him and he’s still on the team. The most likely resolution seems to be a bump in pay, both straight cash and incentives, and then he will become a free agent next offseason and he and the team can decide what they want to do then. This is something that should get done prior to training camp next month.