The Patriots’ abbreviated break from practice this offseason is officially over.
Patriots organized team activities begin Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. on the practice fields behind the New Balance Athletics Center. The Patriots were playing in the Super Bowl just 15 short weeks ago.
Here are 10 players we’ll be watching closely during Wednesday’s practice session.
QB Drake Maye
We’ll start with the obvious. Maye had a year to learn Josh McDaniels’ complex offense, and he led the Patriots to Super Bowl LX while taking a dramatic leap forward in 2025. Can he ascend higher, however?
Let’s see how things start out on Wednesday. Maye was up and down during last spring’s practice sessions. Maye and the offense should be able to come out firing on all cylinders during OTAs.
We’ll be paying close attention to Maye’s accuracy, command and processing this spring.
RB Lan Larison
We go from the most important to player on the team to a second-year pro who isn’t guaranteed a roster spot.
Larison missed last year with an injury after being placed on injured reserve during the spring. Now, he has a chance to capture the Patriots’ No. 3 running back role behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
His top competition will be rookies Jam Miller, a seventh-round pick, and Myles Montgomery, an undrafted free agent. So, those players bear watching, as well.
Larison was a rushing and receiving threat at UC Davis. Let’s see how he looks coming off an injury.
WR Kayshon Boutte
The biggest question here is whether Boutte will be present for OTAs. He’s been working out on his own, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Boutte was primed for a career year last season before suffering a concussion and hamstring injury. He still projects as a starter even if the Patriots acquire A.J. Brown via trade.
But Boutte has also been mentioned in trade rumors for the second consecutive offseason. Let’s see if he returns to Foxboro or if he continues to stay away during voluntary sessions.
WR Romeo Doubs
This will be our first chance to observe Doubs, who signed a four-year, $68 million contract as a free agent this offseason.
Doubs has spent time with Maye during the Patriots’ offseason workout program, but this will be their first formal practice together. We’ll be observing Doubs’ chemistry with Maye.
He was also a red-zone threat during his time with the Packers. Let’s see if that translates to the practice field.
WR Kyle Williams
Williams said last week that he bulked up this offseason. He was able to provide the Patriots with some big plays last season, but he lacked consistency on a week-to-week and play-to-play basis.
If Williams can take a second-year leap, then he could earn a starting spot on offense. He just as well could get buried with players like Doubs, Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism also in the offense.
Williams will also need to fend off an intriguing crop of undrafted free agents — Kyle Dixon, Nick DeGennaro, Cameron Dorner and Jimmy Kibble.
TE Eli Raridon
Raridon didn’t participate in rookie minicamp, so we might not see him on the field during OTAs.
But if he is participating, then this athleticism will be a notable attraction. Raridon has a rare combination of size and athleticism for the position. A good spring could mean more playing time for the rookie tight end early in his Patriots career.
OT Caleb Lomu
The No. 1 thing we’ll be watching with Lomu is where he’s lining up.
Lomu was only positioned at left tackle during the rookie minicamp practice open to reporters. Now with veterans around him, will Lomu be switching between right and left tackle? Will he get any reps at guard?
Lomu isn’t expected to be a Week 1 starter for the Patriots, but he could be a super sub as a rookie if the offensive line gets depleted with any injuries.
Edge Gabe Jacas
Jacas, like Raridon, didn’t practice during rookie minicamp. So, will we see him out there in OTAs?
You can’t glean much from offensive or defensive line play during unpadded OTAs sessions. But Jacas is an impressive athlete. There’s a reason why the Patriots traded up for him in the second round.
Patriots rookie defender Gabe Jacas, left, looks on at the team’s rookie mini-camp. (Staff photo by Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
CB Karon Prunty
There’s more to monitor with cornerbacks during unpadded OTAs. The Patriots caught some people by surprise when they selected Prunty in the fifth round of the draft, but he’s a long, tall cornerback with good speed.
Let’s see if he can get his hands on the ball during full-team drills during practice.
S Craig Woodson
Woodson is another player who could take a leap in Year 2. He’s essentially guaranteed a starting spot next to Kevin Byard at safety, but he had a strong postseason. Let’s see if that carries over into the spring.
Woodson had an interception and six pass breakups in just four postseason games. Maybe he can disrupt some of Maye’s passes during 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s over the next month.