FOXBORO — Three days after the 2024 NFL Draft concluded, the Patriots’ addition of outside linebacker Oshane Ximines was lost in the post-Drake Maye hype.

Now, the Patriots are going to count on Ximines, who primarily played a backup and rotational role with the Giants for five seasons, as one of the edge defenders primed to help fill the void left by trading Matthew Judon to the Falcons.

Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington said Thursday morning that Ximines is “playing like a starter.”

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“When he’s on the field you know good things are going to happen and he’s going to play strong, and he’s going to do his job,” Covington said. “He prepares well. I’m excited to see what he does for us and what he brings to the table. For me, I think he’s going to do exactly what he’s been doing since the spring.”

Ximines was a preseason standout for the Patriots, registering five pressures, two sacks, a QB hit and four defensive stops in two games, per PFF’s charting. He was PFF’s 10th-highest graded edge defender this preseason, and he consistently showed up in training camp, as well.

New Patriots outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins spent the last two seasons coaching Ximines as the Giants’ outside linebackers coach.

“I think he worked really hard to change his body, and he’s running around and getting off the ball and moving in space probably better than he ever has,” Wilkins said. “He’s just got a dedication to taking care of his body and being in the best physical shape, and that showed up on the first day. And just the buy-in. This is a really great system for him. It values physicality, it values knockback, it values being able to do a lot. You’ve got to be able to drop in coverage, you’ve got to be able to set the edge and rush the passer and move around and play a lot of different spots. He’s a really smart player, he’s obviously a really physical, tough, hard-nosed football player. So, he really has all the traits that fit this place, and he’s worked his tail off to become a player we’re going to count on.”

Ximines said he paid more attention to his diet this offseason, cutting down fried foods to get into better shape.

He credited Wilkins, Covington, head coach Jerod Mayo and

“Man, they’re really good,” Ximines said. “They don’t cut no corners with anything. We work. So kudos to all the staff members here. Drew, (head coach) Mayo, Joe Kim, DC, I like working with those guys.