Patriots
Javon Baker, Kyle Dugger, and different Patriots might be taking part in for a roster spot on Thursday.
The writing is on the wall that Drake Maye and plenty of different Patriots starters may not suit up for New England’s preseason finale against the Giants Thursday night.
However, that doesn’t imply that a number of different gamers on New England’s roster received’t have something to play for throughout Thursday’s matchup at MetLife Stadium.
With NFL groups needing to chop their roster right down to 53 gamers by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, there shall be a number of Patriots seeking to play themselves off of the roster bubble towards the Giants.
Listed here are seven gamers price watching in the course of the Patriots’ closing sport of the preseason.
WR Javon Baker
After Efton Chism posted six catches and a landing throughout Saturday’s preseason win towards the Vikings, it appears as if the undrafted wideout has earned a spot on New England’s 53-man roster.
With Chism in place, that makes six wideouts who’re probably thought-about roster locks for Week 1, together with Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins.
However, may New England open the season with seven pass-catchers? It’d depend upon how a second-year professional in Baker fares on Thursday.
Regardless of not practising on each Monday and Tuesday, Baker traveled with the Patriots to New Jersey — which may sign that he’ll play Thursday, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Baker’s profile as a boundary receiver who may contribute on particular groups may enhance his worth, with Mike Vrabel praising the wideout’s willingness to buy in and contribute in methods past simply reeling in catches.
However, after failing to file a catch on his first six targets on Saturday — coupled with a false-start penalty that hindered New England within the pink zone — Baker might want to finish his preseason slate on a excessive notice to justify a spot on the 53-man roster.
RB JaMycal Hasty
Working again is trying like an space of energy in New England — particularly with rookie TreVeyon Henderson trying like a possible breakout candidate alongside Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.
However may New England prioritize depth at that place and go for a fourth working again? Hasty is probably going the subsequent man up on the depth chart, with the 28-year-old again speeding for 47 yards off 11 makes an attempt on Saturday towards the Vikings.
C/G Cole Unusual
As Ben Brown continues to see his inventory rise as New England’s potential beginning heart or left guard, it’s trying like Unusual is getting ready to shedding a spot on New England’s roster.
The 2022 first-round choose has the flexibility to play each at left guard and heart, however his efficiency up to now throughout coaching camp and preseason motion has been very uneven. Past a powerful exhibiting on Thursday towards New York, Unusual’s spot on New England’s roster would possibly depend upon how the gamers forward of him on the depth chart fare transferring ahead.
If rookie Jared Wilson continues to battle, Unusual might be retained as a contingency plan for an offensive line with loads of query marks.
Unusual received’t be the one offensive lineman seeking to solidify a roster spot on Thursday. He’s probably competing with different inside linemen in Caedan Wallace and Sidy Sow for one roster spot. New England additionally has to determine one other swing sort out past rookie Marcus Bryant — which could come right down to both Demontrey Jacobs or Vederian Lowe.
Ok Andy Borregales
The continued kicker battle between rookie Andy Borregales and John Parker Romo might be the highest factor to observe on Thursday would possibly.
Whereas Borregales might need the next ceiling than Romo, it’s clear that Romo has had the higher summer season up to now.
Per MassLive’s Mark Daniels, Romo has made 90.1 p.c of his field-goal makes an attempt (38-of-42), whereas Borregales is working at 85.7 p.c of his discipline objectives (42-of-49) up to now this summer season.
With Patriots particular groups coordinator Jeremy Springer acknowledging earlier this month that Borregales’ draft standing (sixth spherical, 2025 NFL Draft) received’t maintain weight over who wins the kicker battle, the rookie will want a powerful efficiency on Thursday (and a miss or two from Romo) to take a beginning spot outright.
S Kyle Dugger
No participant has seen his inventory plummet greater than Dugger over the previous couple of months, with the previous stalwart in New England’s secondary trying like a possible minimize or commerce candidate within the closing days of the preseason.
Regardless of defensive coordinator Terrell Williams noting on Tuesday that Dugger nonetheless has a match on New England’s roster, the truth that the 29-year-old security has primarily repped with New England’s second staff or scout staff in latest days will not be an excellent signal.
Dugger did file an interception that sealed New England’s 20-12 win over Minnesota on Saturday.
However once more, it didn’t bode effectively that the security was taking part in within the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. Dugger may nonetheless maintain worth as an athletic, run-stuffing security — however his play type might not slot in with what Vrabel and Williams want to construct on their revamped defensive unit.
Maybe that sentiment modifications if Dugger dominates on Thursday evening.
EDGE Anfernee Jennings
Very like Dugger, it’s not trying good {that a} veteran in Jennings was nonetheless on the sector within the closing minutes of Saturday’s win in Minnesota. However, Jennings has not let his precarious spot on the roster bubble hinder his efficiency on the sector — he racked up three sacks towards the Vikings.
With Jennings, it could be healthier than efficiency in terms of his restricted snaps on Vrabel and Williams’ protection. As trade rumors swirl around both Jennings and Dugger, a powerful sport on Thursday from the cross rusher may validate one other staff selecting to take Jennings off New England’s arms — particularly if it results in a larger position transferring ahead.
S/LB Marte Mapu
The fourth linebacker spot on New England’s roster might be up for grabs after projected roster locks in Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, and Jack Gibbens. Jahlani Tavai appears to be the odds-on favourite proper now, however he has additionally been very restricted for the reason that begin of camp with a lingering harm.
A participant like Mapu may probably leapfrog Tavai if he closes the preseason on a excessive notice, with the security/linebacker hybrid probably providing worth to Vrabel and Williams as a cellular and athletic participant who may contribute on particular groups. However up to now, the 2023 third-round choose hasn’t impressed a lot confidence this summer season.
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