New England Patriots: AJ Derby Continues to Impress
While New England Patriots fans are excited about the dynamic tight end duo of Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, another pass-catching tight end is making a statement.
The New England Patriots may have a problem and it could be a very good problem. In the team’s 23-22 preseason victory over the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium Thursday night (Aug. 18), second-year tight end A.J. Derby continued to open eyes with another impressive performance.
Although just the preseason, Derby has shown both in practice and the two preseason games that he will be a tough cut for the Patriots.
In the game against the Bears, Derby finished the game with six catches for 71 yards. Most noteworthy was an impressive 26-yard catch along the sidelines from rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Derby came down with the reception despite the fact he took a massive hit as soon as he came down with the ball.
As that particular play demonstrated his toughness, his focus and understanding of the playbook was on display in a two-minute drill to end the first half. Derby was Jimmy Garoppolo’s main target as the team marched down the field in a drive that was capped off by a 16-yard touchdown connection between the two.
A 2015 sixth-round pick out of Arkansas, Derby is making the most out of his opportunity in the passing game. It should be worth mentioning that Derby does struggle at times as a blocker, which could determine whether he beats out Clay Harbor for the third tight end spot. Either way, he may have impressed enough as a pass-catching tight end to land on another NFL roster and that’s only if he doesn’t end up on the roster or the New England Patriots.
Can A.J. Derby beat out Clay Harbor?
A.J. Derby’s emergence is definitely the feel-good story of the preseason thus far.
On a team with high-level tight ends like Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, it would be quite the story if a former quarterback turned tight end holds the third spot. If his growth as a tight end continues with success, his career path could channel that of Julian Edelman. Derby certainly knows he still has work to do to claim a spot on the 53-man roster.
“I’m just trying to get better every day, so I’ve got to watch the film and see how I did,” Derby said following the game.
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With a Gronk spike to celebrate his touchdown reception, A.J. Derby already has the feel and sound of a Patriot. Is it enough to impress Bill Belichick will be the burning question as the preseason winds down. Also, whether he can find similar chemistry with Tom Brady.
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