Tag: 409222

RENTON, Wash. — If DK Metcalf had any doubt at the end of last season whether he’d get a contract extension from the Seattle Seahawks, you couldn’t tell based on this response:

“It’s gonna get done, in my opinion,” Metcalf said in January. “I’m just gonna let the chips fall where they may and let God and the Seahawks and my agent take care of the rest. I know everything is going to work out just fine.”

A lot has happened since.

The Seahawks traded quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. The wide receiver market skyrocketed to the point that Seahawks general manager John Schneider expressed sticker shock at some of the megadeals signed early in free agency. And most recently, Metcalf skipped mandatory minicamp — without permission from the team — in what seemed like a clear indication that he and his representation were unhappy with where his contract negotiations stand.

The Seahawks have expressed optimism both publicly and behind the scenes since then that a deal will get done, but it hardly seems like a slam dunk.

Let’s take a look at some of the key questions.

What should we make of Metcalf skipping minicamp?

• Where things stand with Seahawks, DK Metcalf
• Evaluating Russell Wilson, Broncos
• Aidan Hutchinson already impressing Lions
• Dennis Allen ‘keeping the DNA the same’
• Dick Vermeil’s unconventional HOF career

It was mildly surprising for a couple of reasons.

Metcalf had participated in some of the voluntary portion of the team’s offseason program. He showed up in the early stages even though his recovery from foot surgery meant he couldn’t participate in workouts.

The recent trend with Seahawks players (and others around the NFL) who are seeking new contracts has been to attend the mandatory portions of offseason work (i.e. minicamp and training camp) but not take part in practices. For the player, the “hold-in” is a best-of-all-worlds approach because it allows him to avoid fines as well as the risk of injury, all while making a statement about his desire to get paid. Bobby Wagner did it in 2019. Jamal Adams and Duane Brown did it last summer.

Metcalf’s foot surgery gave him an easy out to do the same thing during minicamp, yet he stayed away entirely. That subjected him to more than $93,000 in fines for missing all three days. He’d be subject to $40,000 in fines for every day of training camp he misses. He also risks losing an accrued season toward free agency by not reporting on time.

Coach Pete Carroll said he’s no less optimistic about getting a deal done with Metcalf than before his minicamp no-show, citing the team’s strong track record of extending players it wants to keep long-term. The Seahawks typically finalize big-money extensions after the start of training camp.

“These are crucial weeks to get something done, and we’ll see what happens and hope that we can work something out,” Carroll said earlier this month. “[We’ve] really intended to get that done.”

What Metcalf’s market?

The short answer is that it’s probably in A.J. Brown territory but below Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill territory.

Adams and Hill signed deals early in free agency averaging $28 million and $30 million per year, respectively, prompting Schneider to express “a sense of shock” at where the market has gone. Brown then got a four-year, $100 million extension that includes more than $57 million in guarantees after the Philadelphia Eagles acquired him from the Tennessee Titans during the draft.

Metcalf and Brown, college teammates at Ole Miss, entered the NFL together as second-round picks in 2019. They’re both 24. So Brown’s deal might be a more apples-to-apples comp for Metcalf than those of Adams and Hill, who are both in their late 20s and have accomplished more over a longer period.

Over his three seasons, Metcalf has more catches (216), targets (358), yards (3,170) and touchdowns (29) than Brown. Hill and Adams have Metcalf beat in all four categories over that same span.

ESPN polled three NFL agents who aren’t involved in the Metcalf negotiations but are well-versed in the receiver market. One predicts the Seahawks will extend Metcalf on an annual average similar to Brown’s $25 million. Another thinks they won’t go any higher than $25 million per season and around $60 million guaranteed — assuming a four-year extension, Seattle’s preferred length. The third agent doesn’t think the Seahawks will go that high and predicts they team will trade Metcalf.

All three agents noted the massive base salaries in the final year(s) of the aforementioned deals, which artificially inflate their overall averages and make it tougher to pinpoint Metcalf’s range.

What kind of cap shape are the Seahawks in?

They’re fine.

OverTheCap.com lists them with around $16 million in available 2022 cap space, taking into account their recent extension for defensive tackle Bryan Mone. Metcalf is set to make just under $4 million in the final year of his rookie deal. An extension could be structured so that his 2022 cap number would be increased by only a couple million dollars or so, which would leave enough for other expenses like the practice squad and in-season injury replacements.

The Seahawks will start to reap the cap savings from the Wilson trade next year, with OTC ranking them third in 2023 cap space at around $58 million. The agent who predicts a Metcalf trade thinks his representation will drive a hard bargain knowing Seattle has the financial freedom that comes with Wilson’s huge contract no longer being on the books.

Don’t Metcalf and Brown have the same agent?

Yep. Tory Dandy also represents three other big-name receivers: Mike Williams, Chris Godwin (both just got deals averaging $20 million per season) and Deebo Samuel (who’s seeking an extension).

Schneider said at the owners meetings that Dandy’s representing those other receivers shouldn’t complicate negotiations with Metcalf, noting that the Seahawks have an “awesome” relationship with Dandy.

But two of the agents polled by ESPN think Dandy will be more motivated to top Brown’s deal than he would be if another agent negotiated it.

Could the Seahawks really trade Metcalf?

The fact that they didn’t do so before the draft suggests some optimism that a deal will get done, because waiting until after the draft would mean having to wait a year to reap the benefits of a trade.

ESPN simulated the Metcalf trade possibility in April, with NFL Nation reporters making offers on behalf of the teams they cover. None of the seven offers matched the Seahawks’ presumed asking price of two first-round picks or something of similar value.

The Seahawks received calls from teams interested in trading for Metcalf before the draft and, according to a source, told those teams they weren’t looking to trade Metcalf. But they’d have to at least start listening to offers if, whenever negotiations resume, they don’t feel like a deal is possible.

MIAMI — It’s easy to look ahead to training camp at this stage of the Miami Dolphins‘ offseason program. Their offense is in the process of installing a new system, and neither side of the ball has worn shoulder pads during organized team activities or mandatory minicamp.

But that hasn’t mattered to players in the trenches — especially a front seven that seems determined to maintain its status as one of the NFL’s best. Players say the level of competition without pads has been intense, and they expect it to remain so once everyone is in full gear next month.

“That’s what I can tell about this team, I think it’s a little different right now,” offensive lineman Robert Hunt said. “The guys are working without pads on and you can tell, guys are definitely fitting their gaps right, guys are coming off the ball, flying off the ball.”

• Saints have given Jameis tools to succeed
• Chiefs’ Chris Jones has DPOY on mind
• Dolphins’ front seven determined
• Panthers’ Anderson stands by Darnold
• Titans’ Simmons not practicing at camp

The Dolphins hired head coach Mike McDaniel and added seven players expected to play significant roles on offense in hopes of reviving a unit that ranked 25th in the NFL last season. However, defense remains the team’s unquestioned strength. The unit led the league in defensive expected points added over the final nine weeks last season when Miami went 8-1, and the plan for the defense this offseason has been clear: run it back.

Miami agreed to a four-year, $65.4 million contract with defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah minutes before free agency began, re-signed its entire group of inside linebackers, drafted Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall in the third round and signed three-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Melvin Ingram III.

Ingram didn’t practice with the team as it wrapped mandatory minicamp this month but was present on the sideline. He joins a pass-rushing rotation that includes Ogbah, who has led the team with 9.0 sacks in each of the past two seasons, linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jaelan Phillips — the No. 18 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft who set a Dolphins rookie record with 8.5 sacks last season.

“He definitely has a chance to be special,” Ingram said of Phillips. “He comes to work every day and he puts that work in. I definitely admire that.”

Last season, Miami was one of the more aggressive defenses in the NFL, blitzing on 38% of opponents’ dropbacks — the second-highest rate in the league. Its propensity for blitzing is part of the reason it played man coverage on 49.5% of its defensive snaps in 2021, the 12th highest rate in the league.

The Dolphins’ aggression up front forces quarterbacks to make quick decisions, which gives playmaking defensive backs such as cornerback Xavien Howard (15 interceptions over the past two seasons) and second-year safety Jevon Holland (13 starts, 69 tackles, 2 interceptions, 10 passes defended) opportunities to make plays on the ball.

The team believed keeping the defense intact was paramount as McDaniel deals with so much turnover on offense in his first season, and the decision was welcomed by defensive players craving stability on the sideline.

“I’m definitely happy. Just me personally, I always had different coaches,” linebacker Jerome Baker said. “Different linebacker coaches, different coordinators, going back all of the way to college. For me, [stability is] a good thing. … you know what you expect. You have a little understanding before you walk into the building. Now it’s just time to build off that.”

Also returning to Miami’s front seven are defensive linemen Christian Wilkins (first-round pick in 2019), Zach Sieler and Raekwon Davis (second round, 2020), who combined to form one of the league’s most underrated interior defensive lines.

Wilkins’ 89 tackles last season tied for the league lead among defensive linemen, and Sieler posted the fourth-best pass rush win rate as an interior defender (16.0%), per NFL Next Gen Stats. Wilkins (44.0%) and Sieler (42.0%) also posted the third- and fifth-best run stop win rates among defensive linemen, respectively.

Davis’ impact is harder to quantify statistically, but at 6-foot-7, 330 pounds, he is an undeniable presence in the middle of Miami’s defensive line who occupies space and blockers. He said the unit’s chemistry has kept it from becoming complacent entering 2022.

“Just keep pushing each other,” he said. “Keep trying to dominate every opponent, just getting better as a unit and getting better this offseason.”

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants‘ offense trotted onto the field for the first play of 11-on-11 drills at mandatory minicamp last week. Flanking quarterback Daniel Jones were wide receivers C.J. Board and David Sills V. Richie James was in the slot.

Running back Saquon Barkley was in the backfield, but the projected top three receivers — Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay (unspecified injuries) and Sterling Shepard (Achilles recovery) — were in red non-contact jerseys. And receiver Darius Slayton, working with the second-team offense, dropped a potential long touchdown for the second time in two weeks as his spring struggles continued.

The more things change for the Giants, who have a new head coach (Brian Daboll) and general manager (Joe Schoen), the more they stay the same. Every Giants starter at the offensive skill positions missed at least two games because of injury last season, and this spring hasn’t provided much reassurance things will change.

• How the Falcons are teaching edge rushers
• Giants spring: Red jerseys back; Barkley stars
• Eagles’ new plan to help reduce injuries
• NFL minicamp preview

“You would love for everybody to be out here, particularly the skill guys to get reps with the quarterback, but that doesn’t happen usually in most places,” Daboll said. “There is always some guy dinged up or you’re giving them an off day. We’ll get plenty in the summer here.”

Toney, Golladay and Shepard were in attendance doing what they could during most of the voluntary offseason program. They were able to learn much of the offense even if they didn’t run any routes for Jones.

“They’ve thrown with Daniel before. They’ve done a good job,” Daboll said. “Again, you can learn different ways, and we’re just teaching them how we got to teach them right now.”

Veterans missing spring reps can be brushed off in many cases, but all three of New York’s top three receivers fit the injury-prone label.

Toney, picked No. 20 overall in the 2021 NFL draft, dealt with various injuries as a rookie — hamstring, ankle, quad and oblique among them. He also missed time because of positive COVID-19 tests and ill-fitting cleats. He appeared in 10 games, finishing with 39 catches and no touchdowns.

Golladay, who signed a four-year deal for $72 million last offseason, also was hampered by injuries (hip, hamstring and knee) that limited him to 37 receptions and no touchdowns last year. He has played 19 games over the past two seasons, totaling 57 catches for 859 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Shepard, who ruptured his left Achilles late last season, has played in 16 games once in the past five years.

Daboll has said on multiple occasions he expects all three to be ready for training camp next month, and Golladay participated in some drills during minicamp, so there is optimism for a group that struggled badly last season.

“There’s a time to be smart and there’s a time to make sure you’re pushing through things the best you can. You have to balance those,” Daboll said. “You push guys through in training camp — maybe it’s the same exact thing and they don’t have a red jersey on. … All we’re trying to do is try to be as healthy as we can be when training camp gets here.”

Jones had his ups and downs at OTAs and minicamp while often surrounded by reserves. If that sounds familiar, it should. It continues a trend of Jones dealing with difficult circumstances, something the Giants have been desperately trying to stop.

Part of the contingency plan at receiver is rookie Wan’Dale Robinson, drafted in the second round this year. He had a strong spring that included a diving grab on a deep pass from Jones over cornerback Aaron Robinson in the back of the end zone during OTAs.

“He’s quick, he’s fast, he’s explosive,” Slayton said of the rookie. “I would say he is as advertised.”

Slayton, in the final year of his rookie contract, had 26 catches last season and led New York’s wide receivers with two touchdown receptions. He was curiously running behind the likes of Sills and Travis Toivonen at times this spring. It doesn’t bode well for his future under the new regime.

However, Barkley, another playmaker who had a disappointing 2021 season impacted by injuries (torn ACL in his right knee), was perhaps the biggest standout of the spring. It appears he might be used more as a receiver in the scheme run by Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.

Barkley was used all over the field — out wide, in the slot, in motion, out of the backfield — throughout OTAs and minicamp.

“It’s helpful, not only for myself but opening up other things for the offense,” he said. “[I] haven’t really moved like this since college. Kind of went back and watched a little bit of my college stuff to see stuff that I was able to do there and transition.”

The No. 2 overall pick from 2018 looks healthy and explosive after missing at least three games in each of the past three seasons.

“He’s frickin’ huge. He’s over here squatting what linemen are squatting, and one day he was yelling about [Cleveland Browns running back] Nick Chubb putting his squat video up. He’s like, ‘I got to beat that [675 pounds],'” center Jon Feliciano said of Barkley. “It’s good to see … him having the motivation, him not staying stagnant and being a great player that he is.”

If the spring foreshadows anything about the coming season, it could be a big one for Barkley. The future is cloudier for the Giants’ other playmakers.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Mac’s deep ball: Spring practices are the appetizer to the main menu, and quarterback Mac Jones and the Patriots’ offense provided a tasty preview of what they hope to be cooking in 2022.

The main takeaway: There is potential for significant improvement in the deep passing game.

Jones delivered three downfield, tight-window throws in the final practice of mandatory minicamp that couldn’t have been placed any better.

There was a high-arc ball down the left sideline to receiver Nelson Agholor, who had rookie cornerback Jack Jones running stride-for-stride with him on a “go” route, so close that Jones was tugging his jersey as the ball arrived.

• Montgomery enters contract year
• Kupp signs megadeal wearing Stafford jersey
• Bills pass rushers learn from NFL’s best
• CFL star keeps football dreams alive
• Dallas coach wants Parsons to ‘be elite’

Then a deep right-to-left crossing route to tight end Jonnu Smith, who hardly appeared open with safety Kyle Dugger in his back pocket, but made a diving catch.

And finally, a 50-yard bomb down the middle to receiver Tre Nixon, who somehow pinned the drop-in-the-bucket throw to his chest with his right hand, as cornerback Jonathan Jones was all over him. Jones seemed stunned at the completion based on his coverage.

They were plays that sparked celebrations from the offense, and veteran safety Devin McCourty referenced them as “haymakers” — great throws and catches against top coverage.

McCourty said the way the offense and defense traded “big-time shots” against each other this spring, with neither side dominating, is the type of sign he looks for when assessing the potential of a complete team.

Specific to the offense, success in the deep passing game could be the missing piece to becoming a complete attack.

Consider these nuggets from last season, via ESPN Stats & Information:

• 41% of Jones’ pass attempts thrown at least 20 yards downfield were over- or underthrown last season, an off-target mark that ranked 21st in the NFL (league average 36%).

• Jones ranked 24th with a 38.8% completion rate on vertical routes last season according to NFL Next Gen Stats. His completion percentage above expectation on those throws was -4.5% (26th out of 31 qualified QBs).

• Jones had his most completions 20-plus yards downfield to receiver Jakobi Meyers (7-of-16), but struggled to connect with Agholor (4-of-17, 0 TD, 2 INT).

• Patriots receivers ranked 25th with only 1.6 yards of separation on deep balls per NFL Next Gen Stats.

Jones felt “good strides” were made in practice this spring, but stressed that the work must continue.

“We want to be able to do whatever we want to do at any given time, whether that’s a run, pass, play-action — short, medium, or long. We’re trying to be able to have a little bit of variety,” he said.

2. Rookie hustle: In 2003, when safety Rodney Harrison signed with the Patriots as a free agent, he was practicing at a different tempo and popped receiver Troy Brown on one play. Nearly 20 years later, a parallel could be drawn to Patriots first-round pick Cole Strange, as on the final play of practice Tuesday, the guard got tangled up with outside linebacker Matthew Judon after a pack of players were around a loose football, and there was shouting on the field.

No hard feelings from Judon, who later highlighted something others around the Patriots have said of Strange — he’s always full-throttle (which was a Harrison staple).

“If you saw him, he was sprinting from 30 yards away,” Judon said. “Great hustle from him.”

3. Eyes on Nixon: Nixon, a practice squad receiver (seventh round, 2021, Central Florida), made two of the most impressive plays this spring, so now the question is if he can carry that momentum into training camp and make a charge for a roster spot. Agholor raved about him (“I don’t think there is anybody that trains as hard”), and Mac Jones explained that his connection with Nixon extends beyond the field. They used to drive to the stadium together last season, take their COVID-19 tests, and then enter the building with each other.

4. Kendrick’s cake: Receiver Kendrick Bourne was given an excused absence for the first practice of mandatory minicamp as part of his wedding celebration, and the team surprised him with a cake upon his return. It’s a moment that reflects the camaraderie and chemistry that can be developed at this time on the NFL calendar.

5. Draft report: First impressions of the Patriots’ 2022 class:

• G Cole Strange (first round): Plug-and-play starter at left guard

• WR Tyquan Thornton (second): Speed as advertised; work as a gunner could be his ticket to land on the 46-man game-day roster

• DB Marcus Jones (third): Still in a red non-contact jersey (shoulders); projects as a returner and sub defender

• CB Jack Jones (fourth): Sticky coverage on the outside; curious to see if he can make a push to start after looking the part

• RB Pierre Strong Jr. (fourth): Got a look as a kickoff returner, where speed stood out

• QB Bailey Zappe (fourth): Work ethic not in question; usually one of the last players to leave the field

• RB Kevin Harris (sixth): Got an earful from special teams coordinator Cam Achord for a blocking miscue on a kickoff return

• DT Sam Roberts (sixth): Tough to judge much at his position without pads and full contact

• OL Chasen Hines/Andrew Stueber (sixth/seventh): Did not practice

6. Rookie value: If Jack Jones emerges as a contributor after finishing strong in spring practices, it would highlight the financial value of receiving contributions from those playing on rookie contracts. Jones’ deal that he signed Thursday includes a $746,984 signing bonus (paid in two installments) and base salaries of $705,000, $870,000, $985,000 and $1.1 million. So his cap charges are just $891,746, $1.05 million, $1.1 million and $1.2 million.

7. Fight On! As Jack Jones was answering questions from reporters last week, Agholor interrupted by calling out “Fight On!” It was a reference to USC’s fight song, as Agholor came out of the school in 2015 and Jones began his career there in 2016 before finishing up at Arizona State. They had a few notable battles on the Patriots’ practice field in recent weeks and then shared smiles about their Trojan ties afterward. “I knew Nelly before I got up here; I used to see him around SC,” Jones said. “I love competing with him. We make each other better.”

8. Belichick and Banda: Coach Bill Belichick has been hands-on with the offense, but in the team’s final minicamp practice, he was noticeably hands-off. He spent the majority of the workout twirling his whistle on the sideline and talking with Utah State defensive coordinator/safeties coach Ephraim Banda. Belichick’s time is valuable and the extended chat with Banda had me wondering more about his background and what might have piqued Belichick’s interest.

9. Health check: Defensive tackle Byron Cowart and rookie offensive linemen Hines and Stueber are among those to monitor medically when the Patriots return for training camp in late July. They haven’t practiced this spring, making them candidates for the physically unable to perform list if they don’t make strides in the next month. Meyers, running back James White, rookie defensive back Marcus Jones and tight ends Dalton Keene and Hunter Henry were limited, so they have some ground to make up as well.

10. Did you know? Receiver DeVante Parker, who hauled in a deep pass from Mac Jones last week while leaping over cornerback Jalen Mills, has the most receptions on tight-window throws in the NFL over the past five seasons (69), according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Julio Jones (63) and Mike Williams (62) are next on the list. Tight-window throws are defined as less than a yard of separation as the pass arrives.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The question of who calls the plays for the New England Patriots‘ offense lingers, but when it comes to who has taken ownership of the unit on the field, receiver Jakobi Meyers is emphatic.

It’s quarterback Mac Jones.

“Has he taken control of the offense? That’s a capital YES, exclamation mark, exclamation mark,” Meyers said Thursday at the conclusion of the Patriots’ mandatory minicamp. “He’s the real deal. We’re all trying to catch up what’s in his mind, his vision.”

Asked if he feels ownership of the offense in his second season, Jones said: “Yeah, I think that’s the whole point of the quarterback, to lead the guys around you, get them the ball.

• Kupp signs megadeal wearing Stafford jersey
• Bills pass rushers learn from NFL’s best
• CFL star keeps football dreams alive
• Dallas coach wants Parsons to ‘be elite’
• Chandler Jones key to rebuilt Raiders D

“I have the ball every play and I have to make decisions to help the team win. You have to stop from losing before you can win. That’s the goal — do that even better this year.”

Coach Bill Belichick seems to like the progress at this point, as evidenced by his canceling the final practice of mandatory minicamp Thursday and the final two voluntary organized team activities scheduled for next week.

That has been commonplace in recent years, with Belichick rewarding the team for its work, with the belief that a foundation has been established leading into training camp in late July.

Jones, in particular, has made some impressive throws in recent practices. On Wednesday, he had multiple tight-window deliveries down the field — to receivers Tre Nixon and Nelson Agholor, and tight end Jonnu Smith — that had members of the offense celebrating.

Meyers took note of Jones’ command, saying: “I know him and the coaches have been doing a great job of just relaying information to us, but ultimately when we’re out there, he tells us. And we ask him, ‘How do you want it? Where do you want us to be? When do you want us to be there?’

“He’s been really adamant about what he says. He has a clear vision in his mind … we just have to catch the ball he throws.”

Agholor, who had rookie cornerback Jack Jones draped all over him on a “go” route on his long hookup with Jones, added: “He does a great job of communicating, and is working to be the best version of himself.”

Jones’ ownership of the offense was also noted by running back Damien Harris, who was also his teammate at Alabama.

“He’s an incredibly hard worker, that’s what I appreciate about him the most,” Harris said. “Coming out here, seeing the way he leads, [he] works his butt off to be his best in order to help all of us as his teammates be our best.”

As for who will call the plays into Jones, it’s been notable to several players, including the quarterback himself, how involved Belichick has been with the offense. At one point Wednesday during a drill aimed at running backs and how they need to get through the line of scrimmage, Belichick actually snapped the ball to Jones as a center.

“He’s very hands-on. Last year, he was more with the defense. But now, it’s like, ‘OK, let me show you this’ and he’s kind of coaching us,” Jones said. “I feel like we’ve made a lot of growth together as an offensive unit with him.

“He’s seen the most amount of football of any of our coaches. He’s seen defense, offense and special teams, so having his input is always going to be very beneficial to me, because he knows what puts stress on the defense.”

Assistants Matt Patricia (offensive line) and Joe Judge (quarterbacks) have also had leading roles at times.

All of this has taken place after Belichick said the offense has been “streamlined” this offseason, similar to what he did with the defense in 2019-20. In essence, the Patriots have simplified things, with Jones saying it’s aimed at playing faster.

Jones was asked to describe his comfort level with the coaching setup now that there have been a handful of practices to assess.

“The most important thing is getting on the same page, speaking the same lingo, between the players, the coaches, and we’ve done a good job of that,” he said.

“I definitely think we made pretty good strides there in the past couple weeks. You can’t be done with OTAs and let that fall off. You have to carry that through the season, that’s the most important part. We understand that for training camp. We have to keep communicating and keep talking.”

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Mac’s edge: Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in March that quarterback Mac Jones was “respectful of coming in as a rookie” last season and that he believed Jones “has a little more edge that we’ve seen.”

It’s showing now.

The Patriots have two weeks remaining in their offseason program — with a three-day mandatory minicamp scheduled for Tuesday-Thursday this week — and Jones’ increased leadership has caught his teammates’ attention.

“It’s just at another level now,” receiver Kendrick Bourne told ESPN. “He’s more comfortable, more confident. He knows what’s going on, and the muscle memory is there [from having gone through it] — OTAs, then camp, and the season. He’s just more locked in, more secure in his position.”

As a result, Jones is positioned to become a team captain in just his second NFL season. If that’s the way it unfolds when players vote near the end of training camp, it would put him in rare company, joining Jerod Mayo and Devin McCourty as the only other Patriots to earn a second-year captaincy in Bill Belichick’s 23-year tenure as head coach.

“He connects with all the players really well. I’m proud of that dude, because it’s not easy,” said Bourne, who was among the visitors at Jones’ house for a hibachi party during the first night of the NFL draft. “Going into his second year after having a year like that, it’s going to be a challenge, but he’s a guy that likes challenges, like all of us in that Patriot building.”

Jones’ increased comfort level has manifested itself at practice when demonstrating to his pass-catchers what he’s looking for in their routes. At one point on Tuesday, he split out wide and ran a route as wide receivers watched intently.

See more

Highlighting a top observation from Patriots practice: Mac Jones’ growing comfort level with WRs to express what he is looking for route-wise.

This video from Tuesday, after DeVante Parker takes a rep, shows one example.

Rolling the route, instead of a sharp cut, was emphasis. pic.twitter.com/miHqn728bH

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 1, 2022

“He’s a young guy but he’s developed as a leader. That’s what this team needs,” said receiver DeVante Parker, now in his eighth NFL season and first in New England after being acquired in a trade from Miami. “I’ve only been here a few weeks, but I still see it.”

Added veteran cornerback Malcolm Butler: “He has great energy on and off the field. His confidence, his swagger — I love that about him.”

2. Balancing act: Starting safety Adrian Phillips arrived in town last week to take part in the final couple of weeks of the team’s offseason program. He said he felt it was the right thing to do, even though it wasn’t easy leaving his wife, Camille, and their 8-month-old son, Dylan, back in Texas. Camille, a doctor, has a demanding job.

“I was at home being a dad and house husband,” Phillips said. “I’m sad that I’m away from him for an extended period of time, because this time is so pivotal. But I FaceTime with him every day and make sure he doesn’t forget my face.”

3. Post-McDaniels era: How has the transition been without Josh McDaniels at offensive coordinator? Spending time with Bourne last week at the 47th annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts Golf Classic, he shared one player’s perspective.

“It’s been dope so far. Joe Judge, our newest member [of the staff], he’s doing a great job,” Bourne said. “Really just new terminology, new words. Football is football, so it’s just about learning the new words, and getting the old words out. And it’s applying my abilities to the new system.”

How much the Patriots’ system actually changes — versus how much the staff is focusing on experimentation — is one of the greatest areas of intrigue surrounding the team.

“I think [Judge is] putting us in position to be successful. I’m excited so far,” said Bourne, adding that his abilities as a rusher (12 carries, 125 yards, 10.4 average in 2021) have been among the personal highlights. “Hopefully we’ll have a great year. We’ll see how it goes.”

4. CB questions: If there’s one position that stands out when asking the question “Do the Patriots have enough?” it’s outside cornerback. Veterans Butler and Terrance Mitchell have been paired there, along with top returnee Jonathan Jones in the slot. Jalen Mills and Joejuan Williams have been the others working on the outside, with Shaun Wade getting his initial work inside. Fourth-round draft pick Jack Jones of Arizona State, who has shown some stickiness in coverage, could also be a factor as he catches up to the more experienced players. “It’s a good group. A lot of competition,” Butler said.

5. Thornton’s arms: If Patriots second-round pick Tyquan Thornton has a successful rookie season as a receiver, how he uses his arms to become a more fluid route runner could be the key. That’s one area he’s focusing on this spring as he works to get “1% better each day.”

“Your arms, that’s your bread and butter, to get in and out of your breaks,” said Thornton, who is wearing a temporary No. 51 in practice, per Belichick’s annual spring tradition of assigning rookies unconventional numbers as a reminder to them of what should be most important.

6. Asiasi’s plan: When the second annual “TE University” takes place June 22-24 in Nashville, Tennessee, third-year Patriots tight end Devin Asiasi plans to be there. The primary goal for the 2020 third-round pick from UCLA — who has appeared in 10 NFL games while totaling two receptions for 39 yards and one touchdown — is to gain more knowledge from others around the league.

7. Keene’s state: This is a make-or-break year for tight end Dalton Keene, the Patriots’ other 2020 third-round pick whose best hope to stick might be as an H-back type, and it doesn’t help that he has been limited the past two weeks after suffering an undisclosed injury at the first OTA practice May 23. The setback, albeit seemingly minor, is a reflection of how the Virginia Tech alum has had a series of unfortunate breaks, which includes missing all of last season on IR.

8. Mandatory camp: This week’s mandatory minicamp figures to be an extension of the work the Patriots have been doing in the voluntary offseason program, and so notable storylines will include some of the players returning to town who haven’t been around — left tackle Isaiah Wynn, outside linebacker Matthew Judon and receiver N’Keal Harry among them. Harry, the 2019 first-round pick, is now a long shot to make the roster at his traditional position barring injuries ahead of him on the depth chart. Harry’s best chance might be to ask about a possible switch to tight end to compete with Asiasi and Keene as TE3 behind Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith.

9. Ernie in spotlight: In all his years as Patriots football research director, Ernie Adams kept a low profile before his retirement following the 2020 season. So it was a rare extended interview from Adams on the “Pats From The Past” podcast on Patriots.com, with co-hosts Matt Smith and Paul Perillo. What links Russ Francis and Rob Gronkowski, or the 1970s Patriots teams to the modern-day Baltimore Ravens? Few can answer those questions with the authority of Adams, who does so in an enjoyable chat full of rich football history.

10. Did you know? Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is set to retire after 17 seasons, appeared in 166 games, with 147 starts. The team he started against more than any other? The Patriots (13), followed by the Jets (12), Dolphins (10) and Colts (10).

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants defense will look different this season, which isn’t a bad thing considering it ranked 21st overall last year. When teams wanted — and needed — to score on them, they usually did.

The Giants were outscored 79-0 in the final two minutes of first halves in 2021. They were spared even more embarrassment because the opposition usually didn’t need to do it again in the final two minutes of the game during a 4-13 season that included 10 double-digit losses.

Defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale inherits a group that pressured opposing quarterbacks on just 24.2% of dropbacks last season, fifth worst per NFL Next Gen Stats. General manager Joe Schoen addressed the issue, using the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft on edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux to headline what is expected to be an aggressive defense that relies on the perception of pressure from all over the formation to stress opposing offenses.

“You want to dictate to the offense instead of sitting there and letting them dictate to you,” Martindale said last week. “I think this is a game of adjustments and matchups and everything else, but I would rather them have the headache and stay up five nights before we play them figuring out what we’re going to do and [we will] try to present different looks every time we play, because pressure does break pipes. That’s our philosophy.”

• McCaffrey all in on Faulk’s health advice
• Bradberry finds fit with Eagles
• Giants defense ready to be aggressive
• Inside Jets’ head-turning offseason
• How Parcells prepped Bills rookie Kaiir Elam

It is embraced by his players.

“Oh, Wink, it’s really fun. I think we’re all enjoying it,” safety Xavier McKinney said. “You know, just so much aggression. It’s just giving us energy. We’re able to go out there and play without worrying about making mistakes, so it’s just giving us a lot of freedom to just go play, go attack and be the playmakers that we have on our defense.”

Martindale blitzed more than anyone in the NFL during his four years as the Baltimore Ravens‘ coordinator, when his defenses ranked first (2018), fourth (2019), seventh (2020) and 25th (2021) overall. Those units led the league in blitzing in his first three seasons at 39.6%, 54.9% and 45.3%, respectively, before dropping to sixth last season (31.1%) according to Pro Football Reference.

“Puts a lot of people at the line of scrimmage,” is how one scout described a Martindale-led defense. “He doesn’t coach scared.”

Enter Thibodeaux, whose first step and speed will be utilized throughout this defense. The belief is he’s the high-end pass-rusher the Giants have been missing for years, a player who can be the centerpiece for Martindale. New York has had only one true edge rusher (Markus Golden in 2018) record double-digit sacks over the past seven seasons. Baltimore also only had one edge rusher (Terrell Suggs, 2017) reach double-digit sacks during that same span, yet Martindale had defenses ranked among the top 10 in three of his four seasons as coordinator.

Martindale and outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins’ viewed Thibodeaux as the top-ranked edge rusher in the draft, in part because they can envision him rushing from various positions, including inside where they believe his speed can be a matchup nightmare against an overmatched interior lineman.

“He was just such a great fit for us in Wink’s defense,” Wilkins said. “He has all the skill sets we look for. He can be a dominant edge-setter, explosive, violent, relentless pass-rusher and then everything else you can see that is required.”

Martindale’s pressure often leaves his cornerbacks on an island, and in his four seasons as coordinator Baltimore played the fifth-most man-to-man defense (39.9%) in the NFL according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

It proved to be a problem last season when an injury-ravaged secondary contributed to the Ravens’ ranking last in pass defense.

“Don’t go to DoorDash to find a backup corner,” is what Martindale said he learned.

It could get tricky this season in New York, because the Giants lost top cornerback James Bradberry recently as a salary-cap casualty. Adoree’ Jackson, who has missed 22 games over the past three seasons, is their No. 1 corner and 2021 third-round pick Aaron Robinson is the favorite to win the other starting job.

The Giants secondary has a combined 111 career starts, which makes it a serious question mark entering the season considering what Martindale wants to do. Jackson welcomes the challenge.

“I feel like everything, it turns into [man-to-man coverage],” he said. “Whoever comes down and I’m playing whatever it is, zone, I’ve pretty much got them. I end up matching [up]. … It’s third-and-5 and he runs an 8-yard out? You’re going to match it … You’re not just going to stay in your third [of the field] because that’s what your task tells you to do. At the end of the day, it’s about being a football player and understanding what’s going on.”

With a retooled pass rush and questions in the secondary — the Giants signed unemployed former Ravens cornerbacks Maurice Canady and Khalil Dorsey on May 18 — the bar is set rather low for Martindale’s defense this season. He doesn’t seem to care.

“Look, we’ll control the narrative. That’s what I’ll tell you,” Martindale said. “People can say what they want to say. We’ll see when it’s time to kick it off down there in Nashville [against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1]. We’ll see where we’re going to be at by then. But we control the narrative in the room, and I’m excited about this season.”

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Same ol’ Bill: Bill Belichick at 70 years old. Same as it ever was.

There were several takeaways from the media’s first look at Patriots spring practice last week, but perhaps nothing rates more significant than this:

As Belichick attempts to do what no head coach in the history of the NFL has done — win a Super Bowl after his 70th birthday — his tank looks full. Belichick at a Patriots 2022 practice looked no different than a 2012 practice, or one in 2002.

In fact, he might have been more involved with some of the fundamental teaching that is at the core of spring practices.

• Vinny Curry’s life-threatening ordeal
• Irv Smith Jr. eyes breakout season
• Jacksonville Jaguars roster roundup
• Chiefs’ Hardman sees chance after Hill exit
• Tolbert looks to get ‘1% better every day’

“I’ve always said, when people ask me what’s Bill like, that he’s the model of consistency,” said Patriots safety and captain Devin McCourty, who has been with the team since 2010. “Showing up to your job every day, having the same attitude, the same messaging, and being able to do that over and over again is hard.

“He continues to come in here, Day 1 of OTAs, for however many years it is, and it’s the same intensity.”

This marks Belichick’s 48th season in the NFL and 28th as a head coach (including his stint in Cleveland from 1991 to ’95). His passion for the fundamentals, details and every facet of football still percolates, as evidenced by one moment in practice when he pulled practice-squad receiver Malcolm Perry aside, flashed his hands in front of him, and discussed how Perry should attack the ball.

Perry probably won’t be on the 53-man roster when the season begins, but there’s a chance he’s called on at some point to help the Patriots win a game.

It was peak Belichick.

“It’s fundamentals, doing the right things, the small things over and over again. He never slips up on that,” McCourty said. “This being my 13th year, I’ve seen that over and over again. It’s hard to replicate, but I think getting an opportunity to play for him as a player has made me a better player.”

Belichick has some notable challenges to conquer, and his heavy involvement with the offense in Monday’s practice amplifies it. Quarterback Mac Jones is a promising second-year player, but without coordinator Josh McDaniels, there is a significant transition on the coaching staff with Joe Judge working with quarterbacks and Matt Patricia the offensive line.

No coordinator or playcaller has been named, but it was obvious at practice that Belichick, Judge and Patricia are sharing the role until further notice.

Is there a concern that Belichick could be spread too thin? Perhaps, but those around him don’t see it.

“I’d say the thing about Coach, even though he’s older, I don’t even think he sleeps,” inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo said. “He wears multiple hats. You never know where you’re going to find him.”

2. Develin’s visit: The Patriots might be de-emphasizing the traditional fullback position in their offense (per former New England fullback Jakob Johnson), but that doesn’t mean they aren’t welcoming those who play the position to Gillette Stadium. Early last week, former Patriots fullback James Develin (2012-19) was a guest of the club, and he addressed players in a full-squad meeting.

Develin is a three-time Super Bowl champion. His football journey — playing defensive end at Brown University, joining the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of the Arena Football, then the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League, before gutting it out on NFL practice squads for multiple years as a fullback — is a story of perseverance that any current player could benefit from hearing.

3. Mac’s blind side: With starting left tackle Isaiah Wynn not at voluntary offseason practices last week, veteran Trent Brown flipped to that side, with swing tackle Justin Herron elevated as the top right tackle. Brown was excellent at left tackle in 2018, before playing right tackle upon his return to the team in 2021. Could Wynn’s absence be the opening to return Brown to left tackle permanently, especially when considering the valuable chemistry he’s developing with left guard/first-round pick Cole Strange? At the least, it’s a question Belichick and O-line coaches Patricia and Billy Yates are probably asking.

4. Wynn in retrospect: Wynn is a good example of the challenges for teams in having to decide on the fifth-year option for first-round picks after just three seasons. When the Patriots decided to pick up Wynn’s option in May 2021, it guaranteed Wynn a salary of $10.4 million for the 2022 season. The Patriots’ decision-making seemed reasonable at the time, considering the premium position Wynn plays. But given the linemen the team now has in place, one wonders if there is some internal regret, as Wynn’s $10.4 million cap charge could create some much-needed space.

5. Mac’s accountability: Jones’ leadership continues to evolve, and one example from Monday’s practice highlighted the point. When one player makes an error, Belichick often sends the entire unit on a lap as a punishment; practices might be voluntary, but running a lap isn’t. So when Jones appeared to have a mental breakdown at the line of scrimmage, which seemed to affect the offense lining up correctly, he called out loudly to everyone that it was on him before taking off for a full-unit lap.

6. Trade intel: The Patriots’ draft-day trade in which they shipped a 2022 third-round pick (No. 94) to the Carolina Panthers for a 2022 fourth-rounder (137) and 2023 third-rounder was a result of Belichick’s aggressiveness. As shown by the Panthers’ in-house video team, Belichick called the Panthers to gauge their interest in the pick and asked for their 2023 second-rounder in the process. Can’t hurt to ask for the moon, knowing the counteroffer is probably where things ultimately land.

7. Classy Belichick: When Belichick met with reporters last week, he opened by publicly sending condolences to the family of Patriots Hall of Famer Gino Cappelletti. He had also done so privately a few days prior by attending Cappelletti’s wake, a classy gesture.

8. Fisch in town: Former Patriots quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch, who spent the 2020 season with the team, was back in town last week and a guest at practice. He enters his second season as University of Arizona head coach. This is the time of year when the Patriots host various college coaches, and there can be valuable information exchange/learning opportunities for both sides.

9. Russey on radar: The Patriots have had at least one undrafted free agent make the opening-day 53-man roster in each of the past 18 seasons — the third-longest streak in the NFL behind the Chargers (25) and Colts (23) — and University of Houston center Kody Russey is a leading candidate to continue the streak. Consider that the Patriots hosted Russey on one of their valuable 30 pre-draft visits at Gillette Stadium, and also guaranteed him $180,000 (most among undrafted players signed by the team). With starting center David Andrews not yet fully cleared as he recovers from shoulder surgery, the 6-foot-1, 301-pound Russey has a nice opportunity this spring to make a favorable impression.

10. Did you know? The Patriots are scheduled to play four straight prime-time games — Nov. 24 at Minnesota, Dec. 1 vs. Buffalo, Dec. 12 at Arizona and Dec. 18 at Las Vegas — for the first time in team history. The last team to play in four straight prime-time games was the 2017 Pittsburgh Steelers.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — There was no ease-in period for Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal, the New York Giants‘ first-round picks in the 2022 NFL draft.

Thibodeaux, a linebacker selected fifth overall, was working alongside starting defensive lineman Leonard Williams and in front of linebacker Blake Martinez during drills at Thursday’s OTA practice. Neal, an offensive tackle taken seventh overall, was protecting for quarterback Daniel Jones and blocking for running back Saquon Barkley.

The Giants’ top selections have quickly made their presence known.

• Injuries on NFL punts are up 50% — What’s the fix?
• Giants expect early impact from draft class
• Chiefs’ Hardman sees opportunity after Hill exit
• Tolbert looks to get ‘1% better every day’
• Commanders envisioning rugged backfield

“Evan has looked great so far, and you can tell he really wants to learn it,” Jones said. “It’s important to him.”

Said Williams of the Giants’ newest pass-rusher: “It’s just been a few practices so far, but you can still see [Thibodeaux’s] attributes, and in the three practices we’ve had so far he’s shown great speed.”

Coach Brian Daboll apparently has no qualms about throwing his top picks right into the mix, because the Giants are expecting a lot from them this season.

Thibodeaux and Neal are not alone. General manager Joe Schoen was limited this offseason by an undesirable salary-cap situation, so the Giants couldn’t make any splash signings in free agency (their biggest moves were for guard Mark Glowinski and backup QB Tyrod Taylor). That adds pressure to get production from their 11-player draft class.

Here is a look at what the Giants can expect from their picks this season after seeing them at rookie minicamp and OTAs:

Thibodeaux: He’s going to play a lot. That is obvious after just a few weeks. Thibodeaux moved around the defensive front during OTAs and dropped into coverage on a play when the ball was completed in the right flat to Barkley (not sure if Thibodeaux would’ve made the tackle). Regardless, he adds something this defense has been missing with his explosive first step and personality. “He brings a little bit of juice,” Daboll said recently.

Neal: He’s the replacement for Nate Solder at right tackle, and looks the part. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 350 pounds, Neal shouldn’t have much trouble making the NFL transition physically. He made most of the Giants’ other linemen look small at OTAs. The focus is on getting him reacclimated to the right side after playing left tackle last season at Alabama. “Really just transitioning everything back over,” he said. The Giants will get him as many reps as possible. Neal will face Titans pass-rushers Bud Dupree (42.5 career sacks) and Harold Landry (12 sacks last season) in Week 1, and the Panthers’ Brian Burns (9.0 sacks last season) in Week 2. Welcome to the NFL!

WR Wan’Dale Robinson, second round, No. 43 overall: He will be part of the receiver rotation immediately. Daboll hinted during the draft at a lot of four- and five-receiver sets, which would allow Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, Sterling Shepard, Robinson and Darius Slayton to get plenty of work. “I think when you put together an offense, you try to build it around the strengths of the players that you have,” Daboll said during the draft. “And if that’s a bunch of receivers, it’s a bunch of receivers.” Robinson could also get snaps out of the backfield alongside Barkley. It’s something he did in college.

G Joshua Ezeudu, third round, No. 67: He was the second-team left guard to start OTAs. Shane Lemieux, now healthy after missing almost all of last year with a knee injury, is getting the first crack at the starting spot. But it’s an open competition, and Ezeudu will get his opportunities. “Compete to start, probably inside [at guard],” Schoen said during the draft of the North Carolina product. Ezeudu could crack the starting lineup at some point this season.

CB Cor’Dale Flott, third round, No. 81: He will compete for a starting job. It appears it will be at slot cornerback, not on the outside where last year’s third-round pick, Aaron Robinson, took first-team snaps the first week of OTAs. “Ideally, [Flott’s] inside,” Schoen said during the draft. Third-year corner Darnay Holmes has the inside track in the slot, but given his inconsistent first two seasons, he’s hardly a lock to start Week 1. Flott is extremely slender (6-1, 165) for the NFL but doesn’t lack confidence though. “I’m ready,” he said at rookie minicamp about earning a starting job.

TE Daniel Bellinger, fourth round, No. 112: Bellinger should play immediately, in part because of the Giants’ lack of depth at the position. He worked with the starters for most of Thursday’s practice, though it could be because veteran Ricky Seals-Jones was dealing with a personal matter. Bellinger can provide value as a blocker, but is more of a project as a receiver. He had just 31 receptions as a senior at San Diego State, but has upside that might flash this season. “I think I have a lot to show, and of course a lot to improve on,” he said. “I want to come out and show that I can be a receiver and not just a blocker.”

S Dane Belton, fourth round, No. 114: The starting safeties are Xavier McKinney and Julian Love. Belton and converted cornerback Jarren Williams appear next in line. But if the Giants sign a veteran this summer, it could limit Belton’s contributions on defense as a rookie unless he convinces them he’s ready. Regardless, he should contribute immediately as a core special-teamer.

LB Micah McFadden, fifth round, No. 146: The Indiana product reminds of a slightly smaller version of Blake Martinez on the field and should be Martinez’s caddie this season. Maybe he will fit in some specific packages for his coverage in zone or as a blitzer. McFadden’s role could increase depending on how Martinez, returning from a torn left ACL, holds up.

DT D.J. Davidson, fifth round, No. 147: He has a chance to be a part of the interior defensive line rotation considering the Giants are thin at that spot. Expect Davidson to play some right away.

OL Marcus McKethan, fifth round, No. 173: McKethan (6-7, 335) will start out as a guard, but the plan appears to be for him to add tackle flexibility. This makes him a potential backup on a crowded line as a rookie.

LB Darrian Beavers, sixth round, No. 182: The inside linebacker out of Cincinnati worked alongside McFadden on the second-team defense during OTAs. He should fit in on special teams and specific defensive packages, likely as a pass-rusher with his experience playing on the edge in college.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Happy with Zappe: One of the more compelling moments of ESPN’s broadcast on the third day of the 2022 NFL draft came when the Patriots selected Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe late in the fourth round (No. 137).

Host Rece Davis said what many who follow the Patriots might have been thinking: Help me understand this pick — especially after selecting Mac Jones in the first round the year before, and with other notable needs, particularly on defense.

It sparked an insightful discussion with analysts Todd McShay and Louis Riddick, which covered how it can be good business to draft and develop quarterbacks.

That was on point to former NFL GM Randy Mueller, who served in the front offices of the Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, and was named NFL Executive of the Year in 2000 while with the Saints. He applauded the Zappe pick.

• Bucs rookies on playing with the GOAT
• Bears banking on rookies in secondary
• McDaniel clicks with players
• Washington unlocks Broncos return game?
• Raiders emphasize versatility

“I wasn’t surprised. At that point in the draft, you’re trying to identify traits with players that maybe not everybody sees. And I think Bill [Belichick] and his crew have done as good a job at that as any, across the board at all positions,” Mueller said.

“I see a lot of positives in Bailey Zappe. When you get to the third day of the draft, I think it’s too much to turn your back on, regardless of position. Everybody seems to want to fill needs throughout [the draft], but I’m more about getting the best group of players and not bypassing good players to fill needs. And I think Bailey was one of those guys, although I don’t think everyone sees that.”

Mueller, who now runs Mueller Football Advising Services, studied all quarterbacks in the draft. While the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Zappe was the fifth selected, Mueller rated him No. 2 behind only first-round pick Kenny Pickett (No. 20 to the Steelers).

“Everyone’s criteria is always a little different, but what I saw is a guy who sees, anticipates and processes, all from the pocket, combined with some accuracy and the ability to make all the throws because he has plenty of arm,” Mueller said.

“I’m not looking for 6-foot tall quarterbacks, per se, but he plays a lot bigger than that. The fact he has the vision and anticipation from the pocket; I’m not saying he’s Drew Brees or Russell Wilson or anything, but … he trends more in that line just because of that anticipatory skill set.”

Zappe’s production was off the charts in 2021, when he completed 475 of 686 (69.2%) passes for 5,967 yards, with 61 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He had transferred to Western Kentucky from Houston Baptist, following his offensive coordinator, Zach Kittley.

Mueller noted the system Zappe ran, coupled with his production and skill set, in rating him so highly.

“The other guys, for me, there’s a leap of faith in the ability to process, to anticipate, to throw on time and to still be athletic enough to move within the pocket,” he said.

“I think he’s a natural, throws with the right trajectory, with touch. A lot of second- and third-level things he does, I’ve seen pro quarterbacks after four, five years still not be able to do. So I think he’s further along the learning curve than most give him credit for.”

2. Mueller’s memory: When Mueller spent 2002 to 2005 working as an analyst for ESPN, he visited Patriots practice — the first time he had attended a training camp other than with a club for which he worked. One thing he saw that day resonated.

“I remember watching Tom Brady, this was in Year 3 or 4 of his career, and his attention to detail with his footwork within the pocket. The fact he was still working on that stuff stuck with me forever,” Mueller said, adding that it altered his view when evaluating the position.

“I think that’s one of the things Tom doesn’t get enough credit for — the [movement] within the pocket — with footwork and everything else. I also saw some of that with Bailey [Zappe].”

3. Early riser: Patriots assistant Joe Judge, who is working with the quarterbacks, said Zappe was at the team facility very early Tuesday morning “trying to get ahead.” Such diligence is often the best way to make a solid first impression on coaches. It also might have been necessary, as Zappe, receiver Tyquan Thornton and running back Pierre Strong Jr. left town later in the week to attend the NFLPA Rookie Premiere in California, the annual event that introduces top marketable rookies to sponsors.

4. Kraft’s note: Who knew? When Patriots owner Robert Kraft received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sports Business Journal on Wednesday night, Eli Manning told the crowd how he received a handwritten congratulatory note from Kraft about five days after Manning’s Giants shocked the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. “The impact of a handwritten note has left an impression on me after all these years,” Manning said.

5. Vince’s honor: The date for Vince Wilfork’s Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony is TBD, but it would be fitting if he were honored at halftime of the home opener Sept. 25 against the Ravens. That’s because Wilfork said if there is one game that stands out in his career, it’s the 23-20 win against Baltimore in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 22, 2012, when he rose up in the fourth quarter to make two clutch plays on defense — ripping down running back Ray Rice on a third-and-3 run and then harassing quarterback Joe Flacco on a fourth-down stop.

6. Perkins’ prep: The Patriots have a notable void at outside linebacker opposite Matthew Judon, and 2021 third-round pick Ronnie Perkins (Oklahoma) is one candidate to fill it. Perkins didn’t appear in a regular-season game as a rookie, in part because he was buried on the depth chart behind Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and others. Outside linebackers coach Steve Belichick said Perkins has stayed in Foxborough throughout the offseason to put himself in the best position to “take a step forward.”

“All that really matters at the end of the day is what happens when we put the pads on,” Belichick said. “But he’s done everything right to this point.”

7. Wade’s fresh start: The Patriots traded fifth- and seventh-round picks to acquire rookie cornerback Shaun Wade from the Ravens last September, but he appeared in only three games as a reserve because of a combination of acclimating to a new system and injuries. Cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino said it’s a “fresh start” for the 6-foot-1, 191-pound Wade, who is “a longer guy with good quickness.” Pellegrino also noted that Wade has improved this offseason after targeting a couple of undisclosed coaching points.

The Patriots have a wide-open competition at cornerback that also includes Jalen Mills, Malcolm Butler, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Jack Jones and Terrance Mitchell, and Pellegrino repeated multiple times the “best guys will play.”

Where Wade fits — similar to Perkins at outside linebacker — is one of several under-the-radar offseason storylines for New England.

8. Fins up: Why are the Patriots opening the season with the Dolphins for the third straight year? Partly because Miami requested to be on the road in Week 2 because of a Lady Gaga concert at Hard Rock Stadium that week. So that increased the odds they would be at home opening week, narrowing their opponent options to seven teams (Buffalo was already locked into facing the Rams). The Patriots were the pick when balancing other considerations, but don’t expect a Patriots-Dolphins Sunday opener in 2023. “I assure you we’ll keep an eye on New England-Miami in Week 1 next year,” said NFL VP of Broadcasting Mike North.

9. Walsh’s legacy: Ross Douglas joined the Patriots in 2021 with the official title of NFL coaching fellowship/defense, and he’s flipped to work with receivers alongside Troy Brown this spring. The Avon, Ohio, native credits New England director of skill development Joe Kim for helping him get his foot in the door, as Douglas first met Kim when he took his taekwondo class as a 5-year-old. He also credits the late Bill Walsh, because Douglas’ position was made possible through his diversity fellowship program.

“It means absolutely everything to me,” Douglas said. “A lot of good college football coaches and a lot of talented minorities, it’s hard to get into NFL buildings — whether it’s because of lack of resources, lack of connections. So that’s our gateway.”

10. Did you know? There were four NFL teams that played their first two regular-season games on the road last season, which is how the Patriots will open their 2022 season (at Miami and Pittsburgh). The 49ers and Broncos won both games, the Cowboys split, and the Vikings lost both.