The New England Patriots are approaching their final preseason game, and there are plenty of players that still have a lot to prove.
The New England Patriots will take on the New York Giants in their final preseason game on Thursday, and roster moves will come shortly after the game ends.
Under the NFL’s new format, teams can carry 90 players through the final preseason game. On Saturday, the rosters must be trimmed to 53 players by 4 PM. This means that the game against the Giants is the last chance for those on the bubble to make their case for a roster spot.
Here, I’m going to highlight five players that are on the bubble for the New England Patriots, though there are plenty more that you could add to this list. I’ll let you know why they’re on the bubble and need a big game, and if I think they’ll make the cut or not.
QB Jacoby Brissett
Last season, Brissett was serviceable as a third-string QB behind Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. Of course, with Brady suspended for four games to begin the year a third QB was necessary. When Jimmy Garoppolo was injured in week 2, Brissett became even more valuable.
Now though, Brissett may not be required on the 53-man roster. New England is in need of depth at other positions, and Brissett hasn’t shown much improvement in training camp or the preseason games. Last week against Detroit, he didn’t even get into the game at all. Brissett will need a huge game on Thursday if he has any chance to make the Patriots roster.
New England will likely cut Brissett and hope that he clears waivers so that he can be placed on the team’s practice squad. He’d still be a valuable asset in that regard, as he would be able to help the Patriots prepare for mobile and versatile quarterbacks they may face this season.
RB D.J. Foster
The Patriots have a ton of running backs, and that’s not a great sign for D.J. Foster. He made the cut last year but was a healthy scratch more often than not. Now, New England has added Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee to go along with Dion Lewis and James White. Those four are all virtual locks to make the team.
Foster has a chance to make the roster though due to his special team abilities. He’s a versatile player who played wide receiver and college and has some skills as a kick returner. With Julian Edelman out for the season, Foster could look to grab a roster spot as a punt and kick return man.
I definitely think Foster can make the New England Patriots 53-man roster, and a solid game against New York will help to cement his role on the team, though that could complicate things for Bill Belichick favorite Brandon Bolden.
TE Jacob Hollister
Jacob Hollister is an undrafted free agent that has caught the eye of many fans. In week 1 of the preseason, he finished with 7 catches for 116 yards. Hollister hasn’t played as well in the last two games though, as he has just one reception. He’s in a stiff competition with James O’Shaughnessy for the third tight end spot behind Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen, and right now he’s not even close to winning that battle.
In my opinion, even a 200 yard, 3 touchdown game wouldn’t be enough for Hollister to make New England’s roster. There’s no chance for him to make the squad, even with Matt Lengel injured.
He should clear waivers though, and he’s another player I’m sure the Patriots would love to have on their practice squad this season. If he continues to develop, he could even become the eventual #2 behind Gronk in a few years.
DT Adam Butler
While the New England Patriots may have issues on the edge, they seem to be pretty solid up the middle with Alan Branch and company. Rookie Adam Butler out of Vanderbilt may be a new addition to that group this year as well.
Butler was pretty unheralded and he hasn’t received much media attention this preseason, but he’s starting to gain some traction. In all honesty, he’s been pretty dominant when he’s been on the field. Butler is consistently disrupting offenses in the backfield, and hopefully, he can do the same on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium against the Giants.
Adding Butler in the middle of the field may also free up Lawrence Guy to be used as an edge player in the rotation. New England would have a lot more options and flexibility of Butler is in at defensive tackle. I think he gets a chance and makes the Patriots initial 53-man roster.
LB Trevor Bates
Dont’a Hightower could be moving into a more permanent edge role, and that could free up a roster spot for a linebacker. In his second season, Trevor Bates from the University of Maine could make the cut.
Bates has played well when he’s been on the field defensively, and his play on special teams has been spectacular as well. He is likely in a battle for the final LB spot with Elandon Roberts right now, and he’s in need of a big game to make the jump past him. Right now, it looks like Bates may be right on the outside looking in as one of the final roster cuts.
The Patriots will hope to see a lot from all of these players and more, like Austin Carr, on Thursday night. For guys on the bubble, the final preseason game can provide them with a chance, and can be a springboard for the 2017 season.
Next: Hightower could be the answer on the edge
New England will face the Giants at Gillette Stadium on Thursday at 7:30 PM. You can catch the game on WBZ-TV CBS Boston or on the radio on 98.5 The Sports Hub. As always, keep it here on Chowder and Champions for the latest Patriots news.