5 Patriots players whose stock is rising after OTAs

Now that the Patriots' organized team activities for the 2024 offseason have concluded and we're looking ahead to mini-camp next week, it's good to reflect upon what good we saw from the team on the practice field.

It might just be OTAs, with no actual football being played, not even contact. But it's important to see how the new players have integrated early on and if they're looking comfortable on the field, along with how the veterans are performing.

For most, all the good will be taken with a grain of salt since it's just practice with minimal work being done. But for a team in a position like the Patriots, who need a significant jump in improvement from the offense, hopefully, a new young quarterback rising to the occasion, and a defense to continue playing lights-out football, it's critical to pay attention to everything happening at practice.

Some players on the roster bubble know how important standing out early on is, and these five have raised their stock based on that so far.

5 Patriots players whose stock is rising after OTAs

JuJu Smith-Schuster

One of the handful of players who needs to have a standout summer is JuJu Smith-Schuster, and based on how good he looked during OTAs, he's certainly on the path to accomplishing just that.

The receiver's start in New England was chaotic and controversial, mainly due to Bill Belichick's decision not to re-sign Jakobi Meyers in favor of signing the longtime Steeler, despite the nearly identical contract he received from the Raiders. It left a sour taste in Patriots fans' mouths, which halted any potential enthusiasm surrounding Smith-Schuster's arrival.

His questionable injury history also prompted concern, as a knee issue had kept him sidelined near the end of his stint with the Chiefs. Despite claiming he was good to go and feeling 100%, Smith-Schuster did not perform as though that were true throughout the 2023 season.

He never seemed to fully integrate into the offense and struggled to get his footing on the field, which wasn't entirely his doing. The quarterbacks were a mess, and the offense was a disaster, contributing to his lackluster year.

Fortunately, after ending the season on injured reserve, Smith-Schuster has revealed he's feeling back to normal this offseason, and his performance matches that. He's put together a number of standout plays with Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett, which means a lot, even if it is only OTAs.

If he can continue performing at this level, securing a roster spot for the season ahead should be easier. He's one of the few of the current ten receivers under contract that will need to fit for a spot on the team, so impressive outings in practice count a lot more for him at this point.