Ryan and Malcolm Butler saw a good share of the Patriots' first-team cornerback reps Thursday, the Providence Journal reports.

Opportunity knocks for Ryan, after the Patriots lost their top three cornerbacks from last season, namely Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner and Kyle Arrington. At this stage, Ryan and Butler are the frontrunners to secure starting roles, and if such an outcome transpires, Ryan is bound to see an uptick in production in 2015 after recording 42 tackles and two picks in 2014, his second NFL campaign.

Patriots CB Logan Ryan is the favorite to start opposite Darrelle Revis in Week 1.

Brandon Browner will serve a four-game suspension to open the season, so one of Ryan or Alfonzo Dennard will have to start. Ryan led the Patriots with five interceptions as a rookie last season and has terrific ball skills. He has good size at 5'11/195 and has the ability to play outside. Ryan can also play the run.

Patriots CB Logan Ryan has yet to see time at safety in OTAs.

Coach Bill Belichick has said it's a possibility, but it hasn't come to pass yet. "I played in many spots last year, and I'm sure I'll play in many spots this year," Ryan said. "So it's nothing new to me." Ryan made seven starts last year, playing 51.7 percent of the Patriots' defensive snaps. He intercepted a team-leading five passes in the process.

ESPN Boston wonders if the Patriots could give second-year CB Logan Ryan a look at safety.

Ryan, the 83rd overall pick last April, played 709 defensive snaps as a rookie and held up relatively well both in coverage and run support. With Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner entering the mix, Ryan is now the No. 5 corner on a loaded depth chart. He was a physical player in college at Rutgers.