FOXBORO — In a sense, things are a lot different for Justin Coleman than they were a year ago. At this point last offseason, the undrafted cornerback was trying to prove to the Minnesota Vikings that he belonged in the NFL.

In that sense, nothing’s changed for Coleman.

Sure, the 23-year-old corner proved that he was a capable NFL defensive back during last year’s rookie campaign. Last summer he was cut twice — by the Vikings and Patriots and then spent time on the practice squad in Seattle, and then in Foxboro, but by the season’s end, Coleman was the No. 3 cornerback in the AFC Championship game.

With a season under his belt, he entered this spring with more motivation, which isn't that hard for him to find. Still, he knows he has to continue to prove himself in Foxboro if he wants to build off of last season.

“Just need to get better. You know? It gives me every little bit of motivation that’s out there to help me get better,” Coleman said. “[Last year]’s definitely a motivator. Everything I do, I just try to work hard for the team and possibly put myself in a good position to help us and get better at whatever I’m doing.”

With Logan Ryan not at organized team activities or minicamp, Coleman opened minicamp as the Patriots No. 2 cornerback, opposite Malcolm Butler, in team drills. As it stands now, he’s in a good spot to earn a place on the 53-man roster, but there’s little certainty in the NFL.

If last year was any indication, it’s unlikely the Patriots are going to give up on him. The team claimed him for one day on Sept. 4 in an attempt to try to get him to stay in Foxboro — on the practice squad. Coleman actually signed with the Seahawks instead, but that didn’t last long. Three days later, the Patriots re-claimed him and added him to their 53-man roster.

By Week Three, Coleman was the No. 3 cornerback and when Tarrell Brown went on the injured reserve. A broken hand ended his season early, finishing with 10 games played and a good impression on Devin McCourty.

The safety thinks that Coleman being with the Patriots this offseason, unlike last year, will pay dividends.

“He’s very talented,” McCourty said. “Last year he was in a sense kind of thrown into the fire. He got here late in the preseason, then he went to Seattle... it’s just really good for him to be here [this spring], to go through it all at a slower tempo, not straight into game planning and stopping someone, but being able to learn the basics. He’s going to be one of our better players I think. Last year, he played a ton of football for us and he’ll do the same this year.”

Coleman will have plenty of competition this summer. With Butler and Ryan likely locked into the two starting spots, Coleman will have to fend off second-round pick Cyrus Jones for that No. 3/nickel spot on the depth chart. In OTAs, Coleman was notably ahead of Jones and Darryl Roberts on the depth chart, but the true competition happens in July's training camp.

“I just feel blessed to have the opportunity to come here to get better with these guys every day and possibly help the team later,” said Coleman, who feels like he knows what to do to take the next step. “It’s just keep working hard and stay focused. I have to keep grinding every day to do what I can to get myself in the right position.”

Coleman hopes to build off last year’s rookie campaign, but knows in order to make an impact this season, he’ll have to once again prove that he belongs.

“I don’t feel like I was really thrown in the fire. I was already prepared for some situation like that,” Coleman said. “But I’m just looking forward to getting better with these guys. I’m not really trying to dwell on the past.”