Biggest Winners, Losers From Patriots Minicamp As Summer Break Begins

The New England Patriots are done with their spring practice schedule. Some Patriots players finished Wednesday’s minicamp session as winners while others were labeled as “losers.”

Let’s start with the winners:

Quarterback Mac Jones

The rookie challenged veteran quarterback Cam Newton. The NFL world had a chance to see a tiny bit of the QB competition in New England. Jones had more minicamp reps than Newton and attempted 65 passes in 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s to the veteran’s 58. The rookie did finish practice poorly on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Linebacker Josh Uche

In 2020, he was limited to 9 games but will probably take a bigger role in his second year. Uche was a pass-rushing dynamo in spring practice. Opposing offenses will have a hard time dealing with Uche, Matt Judon, Kyle Van Noy, and Dont’a Hightower.

Linebacker Dont’a Hightower

Analysts were concerned about his physical readiness after he opted out of the 2020 NFL season. Well, Hightower was a full participant in all three minicamp practices. The linebacker lost some weight and victimized rookie Jones with his acrobatic interception Tuesday.

Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers

He was the best receiver in Patriots OTAs and minicamp. Meyers will have an excellent season and he was among the top 15 wide receivers in the league last season.

DB Jalen Mills

Mills works well at any position in the secondary, but saw great action at cornerback this week. He will probably be the best backup behind Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson. Mills was one of the best performers in Tuesday’s practice.

Patriots defensive line

Head coach Bill Belichick has an impressively deep defensive line. Montravius Adams and Akeem Spence add nice depth and showed great performance in minicamp.

It’s time for the Patriots losers in minicamp!

Tight end Jonnu Smith

A lot of analysts thought that Smith would have a big role with the Patriots, but he skipped voluntary OTAs and suffered a hamstring injury in the first minicamp practice. Smith didn’t take part in the final two sessions. Fans and analysts will have to wait until training camp to see more of Smith.

Tight end Dalton Keene

Patriots tight ends deal with some issues right now. Keene spent time on the rehab field during all three minicamp practices. He didn’t stand out in competitive team drills, and Devin Asiasi may have a better chance to make the 53-man roster.

Wide receiver N’Keal Harry

Harry was great on Day 1 of minicamp, but caught just one pass in drills Tuesday and a couple on Wednesday. He stands behind Meyers, Agholor, and Bourne in the receiving unit. Isaiah Zuber, Tre Nixon, and Kristian Wilkerson may push him off the roster in training camp.

OLB Chase Winovich

Wino may not see many snaps and he missed all three minicamp practices due to undisclosed reasons. He will probably return on time for training camp.