Patriots Sunday: Players This Might Be a “Huge Week” For

The New England Patriots enjoyed a preseason victory over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night. Head coach Jerod Mayo stated this week would be a huge one for everybody. New England scheduled joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday before their game on Thursday night. Mayo spoke to the media on Friday about the importance of this week.

“This honestly is a huge week for everyone to practice against the Eagles,” said Mayo. “And then really we’ll see how the reps kind of break down in the game.”

The question that prompted this response was about rookie quarterbacks Drake Maye’s playing time. Specifically his lack of playing time in the preseason opener. However, it appears quarterback is perhaps the position that this is not a huge week for at all. Jacoby Brissett seems locked into the starting spot, backed up by rookies Drake Maye and Joe Milton III. Bailey Zappe remains an emergency backup option as a fourth quarterback. He is a longshot to land on the 53-man roster if the rest of the quarterbacks remain healthy.

However, this is unquestionably a big week for certain members of the New England Patriots. Some players are fighting for starting spots or significant playing time. Others are battling for spots on the 53-man roster. Still, others are trying to show enough just to stick with the team through training camp in the hopes of an outside shot at the roster or a place on the practice squad.

A breakdown of players this should be considered a “huge week” for, from all three groups:

Trying to Earn Starting Spots

Offensive Tackles – Calvin Anderson, Vederian Lowe, Chuks Okorafor, and Caedan Wallace have all seen time with the first unit at offensive tackle in training camp. Barring any transactions or injuries, two of these players will be in the Week 1 starting lineup at offensive tackle. One of them will serve as the swing tackle, with the fourth in jeopardy of being waived. Only Wallace, a third-round draft pick in April, is guaranteed a roster spot. Philadelphia has an impressive front seven, so this group will be put to the test. New England moving Mike Onwenu from guard to tackle remains a viable option if two players can’t earn starting spots.

Cornerbacks – Jonathan Jones and Christian Gonzalez are the top two cornerbacks for the New England Patriots. Who is the third? That has yet to be determined. Once again, the Eagles present strong competition based on their excellent wide receivers. There’s no shortage of options here. Marcus Jones was unavailable vs. Carolina but is certainly in the mix. Shaun Wade and Azizi Hearn both had strong performances against the Panthers. Alex Austin and Marco Wilson remain very much in contention for meaningful snaps too.

Fighting for Roster Spots

Third Running Back – Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson remain roster locks. Will the Patriots keep a third back on the initial 53-man roster? Kevin Harris, JaMychal Hasty, and Terrell Jennings will try to show they are worth keeping on the 530man roster, or at least too big of a risk to try and sneak onto the practice squad. Harris continues to have the advantage among this group, though Jennings flashed in the second half against Carolina.

Interior Offensive Linemen – Unless Mike Onwenu moves back to tackle, starting him and Sidy Sow at guard alongside center David Andrews is the plan. Versatility is a focus among the reserves here. Players able to play both guard and center certainly have an advantage. Layden Robinson played well in the opener and will make the 53-man roster. This leaves Nick Leverett, Atonio Mafi, and Michael Jordan fighting for the other reserve roles.

Kayshon Boutte and Tyquan Thornton – If Kendrick Bourne is healthy enough to start the season on the active roster, this could be a head-to-head compeition for the final spot at wide receiver. If Bourne remains out, both have a chance to solidify spots on the 53-man roster. Each has had bright spots in camp. Thornton had a potential big gain underthrown against Carolina by Brissett, but the broadcast booth thought he should have done more to sell a PI call. Boutte impressed. Big week for both wide receivers.

Reserve Linebackers – Christian Elliss and Joe Giles-Harris both impressed in the first preseason game. Raekwon McMillan has some catching up to do. Sione Takitaki remains on PUP for now. All in this group need to try and impress on both defense and special teams to try and earn a roster spot.

Udrafted Free Agents – Will any of New England’s UDFAs emerge to make the roster for Week 1? Among those who had good showings against Carolina were DB/ST Dell Pettus, CB Mike Victor, ED John Morgan III, WR JaQuae Jackson, and PR David Wallis. Jackson and Wallis appear longshots to make the 53-man roster due to wide receiver depth, however.

Attempting to Stay in Training Camp

Ten players who are in jeopardy of not sticking around beyond this week without showing something:

Skill Position Players – WR Kawaan Baker, TE Mitchell Wilcox, TE La’Michael Pettway, TE Jacob Warren

Offensive Linemen – Liam Fornadel, Kellen Diesch

Defensive Linemen – William Bradley-King, Trysten Hill

Linebackers – Raekwon McMillan, Steele Chambers

The New England Patriots will ultimately carry 53 players on their roster in addition to 17 practice squad players (assuming Jotham Russell or another IPPP player is one of them). While Jerod Mayo might be sincere in stating this is a huge week for everybody, those listed above have even more at stake than most.