Two Patriots rookies already vying for starting snaps
The New England Patriots were missing their top 2023 NFL Draft pick in practice Wednesday, but the team’s rookies still made a strong impression at the first open organized team activities session of the offseason. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots’ first-round pick (No. 17 overall), was among a handful of players, that also included seventh-round […]
The New England Patriots were missing their top 2023 NFL Draft pick in practice Wednesday, but the team’s rookies still made a strong impression at the first open organized team activities session of the offseason.
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots’ first-round pick (No. 17 overall), was among a handful of players, that also included seventh-round rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden, absent Wednesday. Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte also was limited for the majority of practice but did take part in individual drills and after practice in a scout team 11-on-11.
But the Patriots’ other rookies — defensive lineman Keion White, linebacker Marte Mapu, offensive linemen Jake Andrews, Sidy Sow and Atonio Mafi, kicker Chad Ryland, wide receivers Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas, punter Bryce Baringer, cornerback Ameer Speed, quarterback Malik Cunningham, tight end Johnny Lumpkin, linebacker Jourdan Heilig and defensive lineman Justus Tavai — were on full display.
One of the first things that popped out was that Mapu, despite wearing a red non-contact jersey, was taking snaps with players who would be considered starting defenders.
Mapu, a third-round pick, primarily played defensive back at FCS Sacramento State, so there’s a learning curve anticipated in the NFL, but he doesn’t actually have a ton of opposition for snaps at his position. Ja’Whaun Bentley will be New England’s top linebacker, but Mapu should be right there in competition with Chris Board, Olakunle Fatukasi, Terez Hall, Calvin Munson, Jahlani Tavai, Mack Wilson and Heilig for the next heaviest share of reps.
The Patriots placed linebacker Raekwon McMillan on injured reserve last week, effectively ending his season. Jahlani Tavai is more of an early-down run-stuffer. Mapu’s biggest competition for defensive snaps might actually come from safety/linebacker hybrids like Adrian Phillips and Jabrill Peppers.
White, a second-rounder, also somewhat unsurprisingly stayed with defensive mainstays for much of practice. There aren’t many players on the field with White’s impressive stature — he’s 6-foot-5, 285 pounds with 34-inch arms. He’s impressively athletic for his size, as well, having run a 4.79-second 40-yard dash at his pro day in March. The pads aren’t on yet, but White did look explosive as an edge defender with the ability to stand up or put his hand on the ground. It’s possible that he saw extended time because starting edge defender Matthew Judon was absent.
Andrews, Sow and Mafi all worked primarily with rookies and scout-team players. Andrews saw time at guard and center. Sow primarily worked at right tackle, and Mafi was at guard. Andrews, who’s 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, did look a little small to be playing guard.
Ryland handled kicking duties with Nick Folk out. One of his kicks was wide left. Baringer showed off a huge leg as he competes with Corliss Waitman.
Douglas is really quick and smooth. He’s also small, so we’ll see how effective he can be with pads on.
Cunningham saw reps at quarterback and as a receiver. He didn’t look out of place athletically among Patriots wideouts.
Finally, Lumpkin’s size stood out even among his NFL tight end peers. He wasn’t quite as smooth athletically as some of New England’s other tight ends, however.
New England has one more open OTAs session next week and then three days of mandatory minicamp that reporters can attend. We’ll see how the rookie class progresses this spring.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
