Patriots Begin OTAs: 3 Things to Watch
FOXBORO — The New England Patriots have begun the third and final phase of their offseason workout program as they head toward the 2023 NFL season.
With 10 days of organized team activities (OTAs) scheduled through late May and early June at Gillette Stadium, coach Bill Belichick and the Pats brain trust will be keeping a close watch on returning veterans, new faces and rookies as they take the first steps in filling their 53-man roster.
At their core, the voluntary sessions are designed to help players improve through in-person meetings and classroom instruction, with less emphasis on-field practices. Though live contact drills are prohibited during this period, 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills can be run.
Though these practices will allow players to participate in their most realistic football simulations since the end of the 2022 season, they are not truly indicative of what should be expected during both mandatory minicamp and training camp.
Still, the manner in which the drills are conducted may provide some insight on which players may have the upper hand in earning a spot on the Pats' opening day roster.
In that vein, here is look at three of New England's biggest questions heading into 2023 OTAs.
Might the Patriots carry three quarterbacks?
While many within the Patriots fanbase expect a quarterback competition between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe for the starting job, it is a near consensus that both signal callers will be the team's top two options in 2023. However, New England' s signings of veteran Trace McSorley and undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham has the potential to make things interesting. Cunningham’s dual-threat abilities were likely a significant factor in his appeal to the Patriots. The former Louisville Cardinal started 47 games during his sex years with the program. He completed 692 passes (62.6 percent) for 9,664 yards, 70 touchdowns compared to 29 interceptions. On the ground, Cunningham proves to be equally — if not more— effective, compiling 3,184 yards and scoring 50 touchdowns on 619 rushing attempts.
With the NFL's adaption of 2023 Bylaw Proposal 1A -- allowing for the use of an emergency quarterback if a team's top two options become unavailable -- the Patriots may now have a greater incentive to carry three on their 53-man roster. If Cunningham's reps increase as practices continue, it may indicate New England's giving notable consideration to the proposition of his making the club over McSorley.
Will Jalen Mills earn the top spot at free safety?
Despite his brief, yet confusing release from the team in March, Mills will be back with the Patriots in 2023. Last season, Mills was quite a serviceable option as a starting cornerback on the right side of the Pats’ defensive backfield … when he was on the field. A hamstring injury sidelined him for one game last season, while a groin injury forced him to miss the final six games of the campaign. Still, Mills was able to log 31 tackles, five pass break-ups and intercept two passes. In the process, he held opposing quarterbacks to completing only 27-of-45 for 333 yards when targeting him.
Still, Mills’ is heavily rumored to undergo a positional switch to safety for the upcoming season. With the Pats having a clear need — in the wake of team captain Devin McCourty’s retirement — the 29-year-old will provide both stability and system continuity in 2023. For Mills, it will be a return to a role which yielded his best statistical season. As a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, he accounted for 74 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception while aligning mostly at box or free safety. If Mills sees the majority of his time working with safeties Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabrill Peppers and Joshuah Bledsoe, he may indeed be poised for that positional switch.
Who takes the majority of snaps at right guard in the absence of Michael Onwenu?
Starting right guard Michael Onwenu is not expected to be on the field during the voluntary sessions. According to Reiss’ source, with whom he credits knowledge of his status, Onwenu’s absence apparently is tied to his undergoing offseason surgery for a lingering ankle injury from last season.
Though the Pats will miss him on the field, it may open the door for a handful of reserve options to make an impression on new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm and the Pats coaching staff. Left guard Cole Strange appears to be locked in as the starter in his position. However, Onwenu's absence provides a chance for veterans Bill Murray and Chasen Hines and rookies Atonio Mafi and Sidy Sow to work their way up the Pats’ depth chart. Both Sow and Mafi joined the club as fourth and fifth rounds selections respectively in the 2023 NFL Draft. New England is reportedly quite taken with the pair of linemen, who will now get the chance to make their case for a notable role with the team in 2023.
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