What happens in training camp and the preseason will have a much bigger impact on the Patriots’ roster construction and the outlook of their depth chart than the spring practices that wrapped up this month.
But that doesn’t mean the organized team activities and minicamp were without merit. It was a chance for newcomers to make positive first impressions and for others to show a rebound is on the horizon. If nothing else, it was an opportunity to build momentum before training camp opens in late July.
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So with the Patriots on their summer break, let’s look at the five biggest risers and five biggest fallers from spring practices. (Note: As Jack Jones’ court case is still unfolding, we didn’t include him in this list.)
Risers
Mac Jones
After an offseason of speculation surrounding Jones’ status within the team and his relationship with Bill Belichick, the quarterback exited spring practices having left no doubt who the starter is. Jones took the majority of reps with the first-team offense and outplayed backup Bailey Zappe. He organized throwing sessions with receivers, built chemistry with new tight end Mike Gesicki and had a command over the offense that he lacked last season. It’s clear that his new pairing with Bill O’Brien is paying off.
GO DEEPER
Mac Jones, Patriots offense faring better so far under coordinator Bill O'Brien
Hunter Henry
Outside of Jones’ performance, perhaps the biggest early takeaway regarding the Patriots’ new offense was the reveal of what seems to be their preferred formation: one running back, two tight ends and two wide receivers. Of course, that makes sense given the addition of Gesicki. But, importantly, Jones had a good connection with both tight ends through spring practices, often targeting them more than anyone else.
That’s great news for Henry, who (like most offensive players on this team) is coming off a disappointing season, in which he caught 41 passes for 509 yards and only two touchdowns.
Demario Douglas
After the draft, there was a lot of focus (here included) on the Patriots’ other sixth-round wide receiver selection, Kayshon Boutte. In spring practices, though, Douglas was the more impressive player. His size (5-foot-8) could be a long-term issue, but his agility and creativity out of the slot seem to make him a natural fit for O’Brien’s offense. He’s still got work to do just to make the 53-man roster, but it was a positive first step for the rookie.
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Marte Mapu
The third-round pick still hasn’t been cleared for full contact after suffering a torn pectoral, but that didn’t stop Mapu from flying around on defense in the spring. He was hard to miss on the practice field, always seeming to be around the football. In a short time, Mapu impressed coaches enough to earn playing time at both linebacker and safety.
The Patriots drafted Mapu out of Sacramento State to be a mismatch player, especially one that could thrive on third downs. So far, he looks the part.
Sacramento State LB/S Marte Mapu
6025 | 217 pounds
33 3/8 arm 👀
80 wing👀
19.08 GPS mph
Former QB pic.twitter.com/fSoGXYkroS— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) March 25, 2023
Conor McDermott
Even though McDermott played surprisingly well as the Patriots’ right tackle down the stretch last season, Belichick went out and signed both Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson this offseason — offering them more money than McDermott, a sign both would begin ahead of McDermott on the depth chart.
But the incumbent quietly continues to play well. As Reiff was demoted to the second string during minicamp, McDermott earned a promotion. It’s not crazy to say that McDermott could be the Patriots’ Week 1 starting right tackle. He’s not going to be confused for a Pro Bowl-bound star, but he could be a serviceable tackle (on a cheap contract).
Fallers
Trent Brown
Part of the reason the Patriots didn’t invest more at offensive tackle was the faith they had that Brown, their left tackle, would rebound from a disappointing 2022 with the help of a new offensive line coach and a full, healthy offseason.
Instead, Brown skipped OTAs, missed the start of minicamp, then was relegated to a side field for conditioning. He didn’t take a single rep with the offense during spring practices. Maybe he shows up motivated for training camp and this is all forgotten, but this wasn’t the spring you would’ve liked to see from a player coming off a bad season.
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Kayshon Boutte
We mentioned when talking about Douglas that Boutte was one of the Patriots’ most praised draft picks — a sixth-round selection on a prospect with huge upside. But there’s also a reason Boutte fell to the pick No. 187, and that was on display in the spring. He lined up incorrectly on at least one play, drawing the ire of coaches, and never stood out, even while going up against the team’s backup cornerbacks.
GO DEEPER
Patriots 53-man roster projection: With spring practices over, where do things stand?
Riley Reiff
The Patriots guaranteed more than $4 million in Reiff’s one-year contract, virtually assuring that he’ll make the roster. However, that was done with the idea that he’d win the competition at right tackle. Instead, the coaches demoted Reiff to the second-team offense during spring practices. He was signed in part to bring a steady, tough veteran presence to the offensive line room — and he still can, but there’s work to be done for Reiff to become a starter.
JuJu Smith-Schuster
The Patriots’ biggest offseason signing missed all of spring practices because of a knee injury that is still lingering from last season.
There’s a chance his spot on this list ends up meaningless, though — maybe he shows up healthy to training camp and develops a quick chemistry with Jones. It’s still not a great start when your premier free-agent signing isn’t able to get in any practices. Smith-Schuster himself said he’d need ample time studying this offense to fully learn it.
DeVante Parker
Parker makes this list more because of what could come than what he’s done, especially considering Parker made two of the best catches during minicamp. He’s here because the Patriots are still trying to sign DeAndre Hopkins, a player who could signal the end of Parker’s time with the Pats.
Whoever’s in my future wide receiver group. I promise I will make your job easy.
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) June 20, 2023
Parker has no guaranteed money remaining on his contract. The team would save more than $6.2 million against the cap by cutting him while incurring no dead money, which means that Parker might be a necessary cut to afford Hopkins.
Last week, Hopkins tweeted that he’d make life easier for whichever wide receivers become his new teammates. Parker may be the only Patriots player rooting against Hopkins landing in New England because of what it might mean for his future.
(Photo of Mac Jones: Matthew J. Lee / The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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