The New England Patriots have wrapped up OTAs and minicamp, but there's even more attention on them now after DeAndre Hopkins' visit.

Hopkins' trip to New England has renewed interest in the Patriots, and a signing would raise expectations for the team heading into the 2023 season.

Let's get into your questions in a special post-minicamp mailbag.

@DomDoesNFL
Alright let me try to pull a unique one out…
What’s the word on DeAndre Hopkins? #MailDoug

He visited, it went well, and there continues to be a lot of mutual interest.

That’s where things stand. NFL teams aren’t practicing now for over five weeks, so there’s plenty of time and no real urgency to make a decision. I know New England had pretty serious interest in signing Hopkins before the visit. It’s hard to imagine he would have taken the visit without some idea of potential financials.

The fact that he left without a contract should maybe lower expectations slightly, but that’s just a guess/feel. New England is certainly still in the running.

@ofibroso
Captains for next season?

That’s a good question. I don’t think there’s any reason to believe last year’s captains wouldn’t repeat again this year: quarterback Mac Jones, center David Andrews, defensive lineman Deatrich Wise, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley and special teamer Matthew Slater. 

Someone has to take over for retired safety Devin McCourty. I think the top candidates there would be Jonathan Jones and Adrian Phillips. Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger would be more dark horse candidates. Marte Mapu seems like the type of player who could be named a captain as a rookie too.

@BigPatsGuy69
With the exception of D-Hop do you see us being in on any other WR whether it be a FA or trade before training camp starts? Feel like Ed Lee & Raleigh Webb being out there for meaningful reps isn’t great. Golladay, Jarvis Landry, still available. Might be toast but more upside.

I don’t unless there’s an injury. And even if there’s an injury, the Patriots still have some flexibility there at wide receiver. JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton can all start. And New England really only needs two of them to start since they could plug Mike Gesicki or even Ty Montgomery into the slot.

And then there’s still the possibility that Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas or Malik Cunningham could begin to emerge as rookies.

So no, it might even take two injuries for me to consider signing Kenny Golladay or Landry.

@patpAItriot
Is there any serious intention of playing Malik Cunningham at QB?

At this point, I wouldn’t expect anything anymore than read-option, goal line or emergency quarterback looks from rookie UDFA Malik Cunningham. 

Cunningham has converted to wide receiver at this juncture. He is still listed as a quarterback, which is important, however. If that continues, it would allow the possibility that New England could designate him as their emergency quarterback on game day.

@TeamCrazyMatt
A lot of talk about Christian Gonzalez potentially getting to wear #0… but #99 is also available. If Keion White (classic DL/DE number) and Bryce Baringer (his college number) have to battle it out for the digits, who gets 'em? #MailDoug

No offense to punters, but I think they should be wearing the No. 48s and 49s of the world now that all numbers are open to them. No. 99 is way too cool for a punter.

Keion White or even Marte Mapu donning No. 99 would be awesome. No. 99 is an underrated number.

@JefFullerMyself
Let's assume defense is top 5, where does the offense need to rank for this team to be a playoff contender? #maildoug

The offense would probably have to be top 15 to be a playoff contender. By EPA per play, the Patriots, Washington Commanders and New York Jets all had top-six offenses and missed the playoffs because their offenses ranked 24th, 25th and 30th, respectively. So, that didn’t get the job done.

I think it’s realistic that the Patriots could have a top-15 offense in 2023. They ranked 10th in EPA per play in 2021 with Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator. It would certainly help to have Hopkins aboard, however.

@TheBruinsFan94
Top 3 Patriots podcasts, go!

I don't really listen to Patriots podcast since I'm so close to the content, but my three current favorite podcasts are "Hardlore," "Scott Hasn't Seen" and "Doughboys."

Featured image via Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK