EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In some ways, we discovered extra concerning the 2025 Patriots primarily based on what transpired earlier than their preseason finale than something that occurred between the traces in opposition to the Giants.
The Patriots sat 31 of their 91 gamers on Thursday evening, and it was an unsightly day for the backups within the 42-10 loss.
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, large receivers Ja’Lynn Polk, Kyle Williams, Kendrick Bourne and Efton Chism, operating again Terrell Jennings, outdoors linebacker Anfernee Jennings and linebacker Jahlani Tavai are coping with accidents, in order that explains their absences.
However the truth that OLB Harold Landry, WR DeMario Douglas, RB Antonio Gibson, CB Carlton Davis, WR Stefon Diggs, WR Kayshon Boutte, QB Drake Maye, WR Mack Hollins, LB Robert Spillane, S Jaylinn Hawkins, CB Marcus Jones, RB TreVeyon Henderson, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, OLB Ok’Lavon Chaisson, LB Christian Elliss, C Garrett Bradbury, LT Will Campbell, RG Mike Onwenu, RT Morgan Moses, TE Austin Hooper, TE Hunter Henry, DT Christian Barmore, DT Khyiris Tonga and DT Milton Williams weren’t required to play bodes nicely for his or her standing on the 53-man roster earlier than Tuesday’s cutdowns.
It was a shock to see defensive finish Keion White and security Jabrill Peppers not included in that checklist. Each gamers seem to be roster locks, however they have been closely concerned within the first half. Peppers took a nasty angle on a 50-yard reception from Giants large receiver (and previous pal) Gunner Olszewski. White misplaced his spot within the first-team protection to Ok’Lavon Chaisson in follow this week and got here away with one hurry.
Finest
S Kyle Dugger: Dugger entered the sport within the second quarter like a participant who is aware of he’s preventing for a roster spot. He flashed spectacular protection, made a defensive cease and picked off Giants QB Jameis Winston in the long run zone on fourth down all in the identical drive. He did miss a sort out later within the sport and acquired caught flat-footed on a giant play within the second half.
LB Marte Mapu: One other man preventing for a roster spot. If Tavai begins the season on injured reserve, it might be sufficient for Mapu to earn a spot. He broke up his solely goal and had a defensive cease from his new place, changing from security to linebacker this summer time.
WR Jeremiah Webb: Let’s give it up for the undrafted rookie large receiver who retains making performs. Webb scored on a 10-yard go from rookie QB Ben Wooldridge.
S Craig Woodson: The 2025 fourth-round decide opened the sport as a starter subsequent to Peppers. He was in shut protection on two incompletions within the first half.
Worst
WR Javon Baker: Baker had two targets within the first half and didn’t come away with both of them. Each passes from Wooldridge hit his arms. They have been additionally damaged up by Giants defensive backs, in order that they don’t formally go down as drops. Baker was additionally charged with an offensive go interference penalty. Baker is preventing for a roster spot and hasn’t accomplished a lot to earn it all through the summer time and particularly within the preseason.
CB Jordan Polk: The undrafted rookie has garnered the eye of head coach Mike Vrabel in current weeks. He was flagged twice for holding in Thursday’s preseason sport, nonetheless.
CB Miles Battle: Battle has hung across the cornerback competitors, however he allowed a landing to Giants tight finish Greg Dulcich within the first quarter.
CB Kobee Minor: Mr. Irrelevant within the 2025 NFL Draft as the ultimate decide, Minor additionally allowed a landing.
What else we discovered
- The highest offensive line was LT Vederian Lowe, LG Jared Wilson, C Ben Brown, RG Sidy Sow and RT Marcus Bryant. Lowe and Bryant flipped for the second drive. Cole Unusual later changed Brown, and Caedan Wallace changed Wilson. Within the second half, Demontrey Jacobs and Jack Conley entered the sport at sort out, and Tyrese Robinson changed Sow. If the Patriots have been to maintain 9 offensive linemen, primarily based on tonight’s sport, it might doubtless be Campbell, Bradbury, Onwenu, Moses, Wilson, Brown, Lowe, Bryant and Sow primarily based on taking part in time. Unusual and Wallace additionally seem like within the combine.
- Veteran defensive sort out Kyle Peko, signed late in coaching camp, made an impression with two pressures. He may make a push for a fifth or sixth defensive sort out position.
- It’s been a quiet summer time for draft picks Joshua Farmer, a defensive sort out, and Bradyn Swinson, an outdoor linebacker. Their standing as fourth- and fifth-round picks, respectively, needs to be sufficient to make the 53-man roster, however we’ll see on Tuesday.
- It is going to be fascinating to see what occurs at security on Tuesday. Hawkins is locked in. So is Woodson. Peppers certaintly appeared like a roster lock till he performed in half of the workforce’s third preseason sport. And Brenden Schooler clearly makes the roster as a particular groups ace and part-time security. The Patriots will doubtless preserve a minimum of another out of Dugger, Marcus Epps and Dell Pettus. Pettus performed higher than Epps, who allowed a landing, on Thursday evening.
- There was a weird play within the first half when Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart dropped again to go then scrambled from the Giants’ 45-yard line to the Patriots’ 32-yard line earlier than fumbling the ball away to the Patriots. Jack Gibbens was on the compelled fumble, and Peppers recovered. However Polk was flagged for holding whereas Dart was dropped again to go. The refs assessed the penalty from the Patriots’ 32-yard line to the Patriots’ 27-yard line. It was not an error. That’s the right ruling primarily based on the “fundamental spot” Rule 14, Part 4, Article 3, which reads, partially: “When a foul happens throughout a operating play, and the run during which the foul happens is adopted by a change of possession, the fundamental spot is the spot the place possession is misplaced.”
- Wooldridge didn’t finish on a excessive observe, going 10-of-20 for 82 yards with a landing and an interception. On the turnover, a pick-six, it appeared Wooldridge anticipated tight finish Jaheim Bell to take a seat in protection. Bell saved going, and Wooldridge’s go sailed behind him into cornerback TJ Moore’s ready arms for a landing.
- We received’t make too massive of a deal about it, because it’s the third preseason sport, however the Patriots’ protection was shredded for 326 yards and 5 touchdowns by means of the air and 111 yards on the bottom. There have been some potential starters, like Peppers and White on the sphere for a lot of of these yards.
- The Patriots might be looking out for a 3rd quarterback throughout cutdowns. Did Giants QB Tommy DeVito do sufficient to catch their eye? He was 17-of-20 for 198 yards with three touchdowns and looks like the odd-man out behind Dart, Winston and Russell Wilson.
- Rookie kicker Andres Borregales missed a 49-yard subject objective however hit from 30 and had an additional level. Parker Romo didn’t see the sphere.
Initially Revealed:
