Five Keys to Watch For as the New England Patriots Begin OTAs

The New England Patriots hold their first open practice session of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) today.

The final phase of the NFL’s offseason program, OTAs consist of 10 voluntary practices that precede mandatory minicamp and training camp later in the summer. Drills are non-contact but include 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods, offering the first glimpse of what each team will look like for the upcoming season following free agency and the NFL Draft.

For New England, OTAs will not only present an opportunity to see rookies and veterans share the field together for the first time, but also forge a path to roster improvement. From the internal development of first and second-year players to the acclimation of new additions via free agency and trades, OTAs will be an early showcase of where the organization has fortified its weaknesses — and where it still has room to grow.

Here are five keys we’ll be watching as New England begins OTAs:

Held on non-consecutive days, the Patriots’ eight open OTA practice sessions span from May 27–June 11. New England will take the field in front of the media on the following days:

Following the conclusion of OTAs, the Patriots will prepare for their first mandatory practice sessions of the summer, with minicamp scheduled to take place from June 15–17.

Gleaning insight into how players will perform in fully-padded, live-action sequences can sometimes be difficult given the slower pace of OTA sessions — especially along the offensive and defensive lines. The practices do, however, open a window into the team’s direction.

From a personnel standpoint, OTAs will showcase where New England plans to insert its new additions into the lineup. That will be on display for the 2026 rookie class — as rookie minicamp was our only public viewing of those players with the team up to this point. Without veterans at those practices, rookie minicamp served more as an “orientation” period, with many players filling 11-on-11 periods outside of their projected roles — including first-round pick Caleb Lomu, who took the vast majority of his snaps at left tackle.

The inclusion of veterans will allow New England to begin incorporating those rookies at the positions the team envisions for them come training camp and the regular season.

From a coaching perspective, the practices will offer a look at any schematic adjustments the team is looking to implement. While the Patriots have enjoyed great cohesion on their coaching staff this offseason, that will be especially important for first-year defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr, who takes over the role in a more official capacity in 2026.

Kuhr will have the opportunity to begin cementing his own scheme through OTAs and training camp, which could lead to a fresh approach on the defensive side of the ball this season. After successfully piloting the defense for most of the 2025 season, it will be worth monitoring how he puts his own stamp on the Patriots’ defensive identity.

As the Patriots have prepared to make another playoff push in 2026, the offseason’s transactions have largely taken place on paper. Now, that work transitions to the field — where we’ll see it all take shape for the first time.

New England’s roster is filled with new faces — from veteran additions in free agency to the NFL Draft and the signings of 14 undrafted rookies — and each will be intermingled with players returning from the 2025 squad.

This will be the first time we see safeties Kevin Byard III and Craig Woodson align next to each other, our first look at Alijah Vera-Tucker at left guard alongside Jared Wilson at center with Caleb Lomu rotating at tackle, and the first open throwing sessions for Drake Maye with Romeo Doubs, Eli Raridon, and — potentially — A.J. Brown.

There has been great optimism about the strides the Patriots have taken toward building a sustainable contender this offseason. That optimism will now play out on the field as new additions look to carve out roles alongside the veterans who helped lead the team to Super Bowl LX.

While the new faces may steal attention during their first open practices, internal development remains the heartbeat of roster building in the NFL.

Most players take their biggest steps forward between years one and two. With an entire offseason to grow within their roles, the development of last year’s class now takes on even greater importance.

Will Campbell, TreVeyon Henderson, Kyle Williams, Jared Wilson, and Craig Woodson are all expected to begin the 2026 season with starting roles. OTAs give those players a platform to showcase how far they’ve come since being drafted last year.

Internally, the development of Campbell and Wilson along the offensive line will be essential in protecting Maye and establishing a more consistent ground game, while Henderson and Williams look to prove their contributions are more than flashes. Defensively, Woodson’s pairing with Byard has the potential to unlock an even higher ceiling for the secondary.

On both sides of the ball, the Patriots enter 2026 hoping year-two players will take major steps in their development — a process that also extends to their quarterback, who now has continuity in the coaching staff for the first time in his career.

While OTAs may be voluntary, participation from both returning contributors and new additions allows teams to better gauge depth — and remains vital for those trying to prove they belong on the roster come cut-down day.

In addition to the draft class, New England has signed 12 undrafted rookie free agents, two rookie minicamp invitees, and added another undrafted rookie nose tackle just last week. That’s 15 rookies competing alongside a strong group of free agent signings.

Key battleground areas with question marks surrounding depth include edge rusher, nose tackle, linebacker, cornerback, safety, running back, wide receiver, offensive tackle, and guard. The positions are plentiful, but openings on the final roster will be limited.

Caleb Lomu and Dametrious Crownover will compete with Marcus Bryant and James Hudson for backup tackle roles. JonDarius Morgan and Jacob Rizy will battle Caeden Wallace and Andrew Rupcich for depth guard spots. Jam Miller and Myles Montgomery will compete for the third running back role. Efton Chism III and DeMario Douglas will battle four undrafted rookies for wide receiver opportunities.

Gabe Jacas will look to earn reps with the starters in a room led by Harold Landry III and Dre’Mont Jones. Travis Shaw will compete with Eric Gregory and David Blay at nose tackle. Namdi Obiazor and Khalil Jacobs will fight for reps behind K.J. Britt and Chad Muma at linebacker. Karon Prunty and Channing Canada will battle Charles Woods, Marcellas Dial Jr., and Kindle Vildor in the corner room. Peter Manuma will compete with Mike Brown and Dell Pettus for safety reps.

Each group features a mix of veteran additions and young players fighting to prove they belong — and that they can become difference-makers for a contending team. OTAs represent the Patriots’ first internal competition on the path to trimming the roster to 53.

The past three months have been filled with roster turnover and reconstruction. Now it’s time to see how that all comes together on the field. OTAs will be our first look at the 2026 New England Patriots, with free agent signings and rookies taking the field alongside the veterans who helped lead the team to Super Bowl LX.

OTAs are the first unofficial step on the path from 90 to 53. While New England has a surplus of bodies competing for roles, open roster spots on cut-down day will be hard to come by — a testament to the work done in building the team around Drake Maye the last two offseasons.

Now, potential becomes reality — and the competition begins.

What are you looking to see from the Patriots in OTAs? Where is the roster better now? Where do they still need to add? Let us know in the comments section below.

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