The New England Patriots are nearing the end of their spring practice schedule this week, hosting mandatory minicamp from Tuesday to Thursday, following two weeks of OTAs.
Throughout that time frame, certain position groups have either seen significant change or emerging questions. Some of those unknowns may be answered as soon as this afternoon when players and coaches take the field and speak to the media, and some missing veterans return.
Wide receiver
It’s only been a week, but A.J. Brown has been the headlining
acquisition for the Patriots this offseason after New England and the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a deal on June 1.
The near-29-year-old practiced with the team one day later, on June 2, suiting up for four snaps in team drills and catching a pass from quarterback Drake Maye.
One of the questions regarding Brown’s 2026 season is how he will be used in a Josh McDaniels-run offense. Last season, the veteran had his worst statistical season since 2021, hauling in 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns (15 games) with a career-low 12.9 yards per reception.
Brown lined up on the outside in the Eagles’ offense on almost 86% of his season snaps, primarily as an X-receiver. He can line up in various spots as a Z-receiver, or perhaps in the slot, where McDaniels could use the receiver. As Brown’s usage in practice continues to ramp up, we’ll get a glimpse of what’s to come next season.
As Brown and free agency signing Romeo Doubs re-establish the wide receiver room, another receiver making headlines is Kayshon Boutte, who has appeared in recent trade rumors and was not present at OTAs from what the media saw.
WBZ’s Dan Roche caught up with Boutte on Sunday at a basketball court in Franklin, MA, where the 24-year-old receiver said he’d like to remain in New England for the rest of his career. This came after ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on his podcast that Boutte had shown interest in a trade out of Foxboro.
Boutte added that he will be getting ready for practice this week, where we’ll also see how his usage may change with Brown and Doubs in the mix.
Edge rusher
Injuries are the main storyline following this group heading into minicamp, as rookie Gabe Jacas and veteran Harold Landry both have yet to practice with the team this spring. Jacas still has not signed his rookie contract.
Though Patriots ESPN reporter Mike Reiss said on the Patriots Real Time Podcast on May 31 that he’d be surprised if New England’s second-round pick’s absence were contract-related and that he could return soon.
Jacas has already missed a majority of the spring, so it’s important for the rookie’s development for him to be on the practice field and become acclimated to the league. Especially considering Jacas has a high chance to be an immediate contributor to the defense. If he can’t return this week, then he’d be waiting to join the team until rookies report to training camp in mid-to-late July.
Landry is also still recovering from knee surgery he had this offseason to repair an injury he suffered last season that caused him to miss the AFC Championship and only play 14 snaps during the Super Bowl.
New England signed Dre’Mont Jones in free agency to improve at the position, but behind the trio of Jones, Jacas and Landry, uncertainty remains within the back of the roster.
Can someone behind them on the roster gain momentum this spring and turn heads during training camp?
Second-year undrafted free agent Elijah Ponder is probably the most poised to potentially serve as reliable depth the team is comfortable with. Jesse Luketa and various late-round rookies and undrafted free agents follow Ponder in the rotation.
Cornerback
Similar to Boutte, standout cornerback Christian Gonzalez also did not attend OTA practices earlier in the spring, as he’s now eligible for a contract extension; however, head coach Mike Vrabel is anticipating Gonzalez’s return this week.
“I think the contract is the business and the professional side of this. The personal side, I don’t want to let anything interfere with that,” Vrabel said on June 2 before practice. “I want Christian to be ready when he comes back. I would imagine that he would be here next week. If he is, then we’ll coach him, be ready to move on, and get him ready to help us and help himself.”
On June 4, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, saying he thinks there’s a “good chance” a new deal for Gonzalez is agreed upon before the regular season but added that it just might not be imminent.
If the fourth-year cornerback doesn’t show this week, there could be some pressure on Patriots brass to get a deal done and have Gonzalez back for training camp. Nonetheless, it sounds like a deal will get done eventually.
Sliding down the depth chart, there’s a diverse competition for the top rotational cornerback roles. Charles Woods was the main substitute for most of last season, with the final pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, Kobee Minor, behind him. This offseason, rookie Karon Prunty, veteran Kindle Vildor, and Marcellas Dial Jr., who missed last year with a torn ACL, are also prime candidates for those roles in 2026.
