The New England Patriots apparently got everything they wanted to accomplish this spring done by Tuesday’s minicamp session. So, they canceled the final day of mandatory minicamp.

The Patriots did seem to have two very productive days on Monday and Tuesday. So, even though New England lost two organized team activities sessions by breaking NFL rules, they still called the spring sessions early.

Here are the winners and losers from this spring’s practices:

WINNERS

OC Bill O’Brien

Taking the offensive coordinator job in New England was a can’t-lose scenario for O’Brien. The Patriots’ offense was probably going to improve just by hiring someone whose specialty was on offense and who wasn’t Matt Patricia or Joe Judge.

O’Brien is an experienced offensive mind, and he was regularly showing his fiery side during OTAs and minicamp. He also seemed to have complete buy-in from Mac Jones and all of New England’s experienced offensive players. Guys like Mac Jones and Kendrick Bourne raved about O’Brien.

The offense still has a ways to go, but they’re worlds ahead of where they were a year ago.

LB/S Marte Mapu

Something feels special about Mapu. It certainly helped that he was consistently making plays during spring practices. Head coach Bill Belichick showed faith in Mapu by putting him in multiple different positions. And players like Ja’Whaun Bentley, Adrian Phillips, Jabrill Peppers and Matthew Judon absolutely raved about him.

At this point, it would be a pretty big surprise if he didn’t finish second behind Bentley in linebacker snaps.

CB Jack Jones

Things ended poorly for Jones at the end of the 2022 season with an injury and one-game team suspension.

So, it was anyone’s guess how he was going to enter the fold this offseason. He currently looks like a starter. By the end of minicamp, it was Jones and rookie Christian Gonzalez on the outside and Jonathan Jones in the slot. He’ll be pushed by players like Marcus Jones and Myles Bryant, but Jack Jones is in good shape with training camp five weeks away.

TE Mike Gesicki

The pads have yet to come on, and Gesicki isn’t the most physical player. But he seems to fit into O’Brien’s offense seemlessly.

Whether he’s a big receiver or a small tight end, it appears Gesicki will be playing a lot this season. He probably got more reps because JuJu Smith-Schuster was out of practice this spring, but Gesicki should be a top-five skill-position player for New England this season, even if DeAndre Hopkins signs.

CB Christian Gonzalez

Veteran players also gave Gonzalez full endorsement for his ability to move fluidly at 6-foot-2, 201 pounds. Still just 20 years old, Gonzalez was thrust into a starting spot during spring practices and didn’t look out of place.

LOSERS

WR Tyquan Thornton

Thornton was an early standout then went down with an injury and wasn’t seen again. It was an inauspicious start for the second-year pro who also missed time last season and offseason.

Thornton is fighting to be a top-three receiver and top five skill-position player as the Patriots’ roster currently stands. Bring in Hopkins, and the Patriots will seemingly have a hard time getting Thornton on the field on a consistent basis.

OT Trent Brown

Brown was a no-show for voluntary OTAs and late to minicamp due to some reported travel issues. Then when he arrived, he was limited for New England’s Tuesday session.

The Patriots might have no choice but to make him a starter since their other options would be swing tackle Calvin Anderson, veteran backup Conor McDermott, second-year pro Andrew Stueber or rookie Sidy Sow.

DT Lawrence Guy

Guy reportedly was holding out for contract reasons. Guy is 33 years old, and it’s understandable why he feels like he’s worth more than $3.25 million. I’m a little doubtful he’d make more on the open market if New England decided to release him.

Guy is a valuable player to the Patriots, however.

WR Raleigh Webb

This feels a little bit like punching down, since Webb is a second-year fringer roster player. But he had a lot of issues catching the ball. If he makes the roster, it’s for special teams. But you’d like better hands out of even an emergency wide receiver.

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