FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots wrapped up their final voluntary OTA practice on Monday and it was another energetic session in which Drake Maye and the offense pieced together some of their best plays of the three spring sessions.

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson continued to ramp up his participation after missing some of the earlier spring sessions due to the passing of his father, and had one of the catches of the day, snagging a deep fade along the sideline on a perfect throw from Maye.

Stevenson is rounding into form as mandatory minicamp approaches early next week, using his experience in Josh McDaniels' system as a springboard.

"Josh and Bill Belichick yelled at me a lot my rookie year for the same playbook," Stevenson said after practice. "So, I kind of got it drilled into me. I just need to go over it a little more."

Despite missing early sessions, Stevenson's place in the offense and his importance to it have stood out. Antonio Gibson has been active throughout the spring, while rookie second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson will benefit from joining a room with two veterans who can show him the ropes.

"Just the experience of me being here a little longer than him, I can give him tips and tricks, things that go on the field, reading defenses, stuff like that," Stevenson said.

Stevenson's also embracing the return of McDaniels' scheme, which incorporates a heavy emphasis on running backs. "Josh always loved the running back position. He always tried to give us the ball," Stevenson said. "So now it's just about knowing exactly what we're doing on each play, each formation."

Now entering his fifth season, Stevenson knows the key to staying on the field is ball security after fumbling the ball seven times last year. "Ball security, that's the obvious answer to everybody here," he said when asked what he took from 2024. "Just trying to be good with the ball—100% ball security—so we can get some wins under our belt."

Passing the Torch: Onwenu Reflects on David Andrews Ahead of Retirement Ceremony

With David Andrews officially announcing his retirement on Monday, it marks the end of a remarkable 10-year run as the heart and soul of New England's offensive line.

For right guard Michael Onwenu, who lined up next to Andrews for five seasons, it's a moment of reflection.

"David really helped me throughout my whole career," Onwenu said at Monday's OTAs. "Whether it was football or just life, he's been a great player and mentor. I watched him, looked up to him."

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015, Andrews became a captain, a two-time Super Bowl champion, and a respected voice in the locker room. "He's definitely earned it," Onwenu added. "He's been a hard worker his whole life and career."

Beyond football, the pair shared plenty of off-field memories. "It was always fun going over his house in the summer… barbecues, pool days, cannonballs," Onwenu said with a grin.

Now, as one of the veterans in a retooled offensive line room, Onwenu is helping younger players adjust to a scheme he's familiar with. "There's a lot of knowledge in the room, and we're all just making sure we're on the same page," he said. "That's something David always embodied."

With Andrews stepping away from the game, Onwenu knows his influence will carry on. "Especially as an O-lineman, we're a group. We work together. It's not individualized. That's how David always led."

Though there's speculation Andrews could coach one day, Onwenu understands the appeal of stepping back. "He's got two young kids. I'm sure he wants to enjoy that life and he's earned it."

Craig Woodson Learning Fast in Deep Safety Group at Patriots OTAs

The Patriots' safety room is looking deeper than ever this spring, and rookie Craig Woodson is already earning praise for how quickly he's getting up to speed.

"He's a guy that takes the coaching, he applies it," said safeties coach Scott Booker on Monday. "And you're seeing progress every day."

Woodson, the fourth-round pick out of Cal, has been working alongside veterans like Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers during OTAs, and Booker says the environment is fostering development for the entire group. "They've been really good about helping each other out and sharing information," Booker said of the veteran leadership.

The coaching staff has emphasized communication and versatility, two traits critical in the Patriots' complex defensive scheme. As a rookie looking for a gameday role, Woodson is being pushed to expand his game. "He's working different positions," Booker said. "He's trying to get better at special teams. He's taking on the challenge."

For a rookie in his first month on the field with professionals, Woodson is making the right kind of impression not by talking, but by consistently showing up and doing the work. "He's very coachable," Booker said. "We're just going to keep stacking those days."

As training camp nears, the safety competition will intensify. But if the early signs from OTAs are any indication, Craig Woodson is going to be right in the mix.

Clint McMillan Reunites with Joshua Farmer

When defensive line coach Clint McMillan first met Joshua Farmer back at Florida State, he didn't know their paths would cross again in New England.

"I was in my first year at Florida State and it was our first set of visitors and I just saw this massive human being," McMillan said prior to Monday's OTA session. "At that point he just had big features, like long arms and big hands. I didn't know anything about him other that that.

Farmer left an impression and ended up committing to Florida State. Though McMillan departed the following season to join Mike Vrabel in Tennessee, he and Farmer kept in touch.

"He always had a quiet confidence about him," McMillan recalled. "He was locked in. When you asked him a question about football, he had a good answer. It wasn't surface-level."

Now reunited in Foxborough, McMillan is working closely with Farmer as the rookie joins the Patriots' defensive line room. And the early impressions haven't changed.

"He's still that same guy—locked in, hardworking, eager to learn," said McMillan. "It's been great to coach him now that he's here."

The Patriots are known for asking a lot of their defensive linemen—mental processing, versatility, physical toughness and McMillan believes Farmer has the potential to grow into a key contributor.

"He's working hard," McMillan said. "And he understands what this place is about. He's got the right mindset."

From a college handshake to a professional partnership, the connection between McMillan and Farmer is continuing to grow.

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