FOXBORO — Rookie Cyrus Jones looks like a starting cornerback.

Through a month and a half of offseason workouts, the Patriots’ top pick in April’s draft got a lot of quality reps in sub packages during the team’s five open workouts over the last three weeks, and has outperformed second-year corners Justin Coleman and Darryl Roberts.

There still figures to be intense competition at training camp, but Jones has arrived as advertised. He is solidly built, appears to play with good strength and leverage even without pads, and makes receivers work to get open. He wasn’t targeted with a great deal of frequency by quarterbacks Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo, and there’s something to be said for that.

“I’ve just been coming out here, trying to work hard and be strong mentally,” Jones said. “Just trying to know what I’ve got to do every time I step on the field, so I can come out there and play fast. I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job. I’ve still got a lot to work on, so I’m just looking forward to getting better.”

There’s an established hierarchy at cornerback when everyone is healthy. Malcolm Butler is the unquestioned No. 1 guy, and Logan Ryan figures to start in the base defense, though he hasn’t practiced in front of the media for unknown reasons. Without Ryan, the Patriots have typically used Coleman on the outside and Jones in the slot. Roberts has also been in the mix.

Jones will have to stave off Coleman and Roberts when Ryan’s return yields a trickle down effect on the depth chart. That role won’t simply be awarded to the Alabama product, but coach Bill Belichick did not use a second-round pick on Jones with the intention of planting him on the bench.

Jones doesn’t want to be a sideline ornament, either. But he also isn’t making too much of anything at this point.

“Regardless of who I’m out there with, I’m just trying to make the most of my opportunities,” Jones said. “Coach is going to decide who plays. The best players are going to be out there on the field, so I’m just trying to put myself in the best position to be ready when my number is called.”

Jones has done that through diligent preparation. The Patriots’ playbook is similar to the system employed by Alabama coach and Belichick disciple Nick Saban, but Jones isn’t taking that for granted. That is significant because the Pats use a variety of coverages, and Jones’ physical tools won’t mean anything if he’s running around blind.

“I’m trying to approach it like I don’t know what’s going on, staying in my books, always studying and trying to not have any mental errors when I come out on the field,” he said.

From there, Jones has a long memory. In high school, he logged every pass that was thrown in his direction at practice and whether it was complete or otherwise. Jones doesn’t do that anymore, but he certainly remembers his mistakes and breaks them down in the film room.

“I know when I mess up,” he smirked.

He also studied the tendencies of each Patriots receiver and how they like to attack certain man and zone coverages. Jones noticed their patterns, and it has helped him so far. That’s the type of dedication they’ll require in the regular season, so he already has developed some good habits.

The real work will begin next month when the Patriots return for training camp and wide receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola hit the field. They’re as tough to cover as any tandem in the NFL, so there’s a reality check waiting with Jones’ name on it.

That’s all part of the learning process, and Jones can’t control that aspect just yet. He’s got two practices remaining this week to build his base before returning home to Maryland for about a month to prepare for training camp.

Piece by piece, Jones is building his case for a prominent role in the Patriots defense.

“I’m just focusing on me and how I can help this team, just trying to be the best player I can be,” Jones said. “Everything else will take care of itself.”