New England Patriots: 10 players to watch in first preseason matchup

By Sam Minton | Aug 9, 2018

IOWA CITY, IA - SEPTEMBER 26: Wide receiver Riley McCarron #83 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up the field in the first half against the defensive back Kishawn McClain #23 of the North Texas Mean Green on September 26, 2015 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Jason McCourty

Jason McCourty is happy to be with his twin brother. Hopefully, he will be as good as him as well.

When McCourty was acquired by the Patriots, I expected him to be the No.2 corner. Eric Rowe was awful last season and McCourty is a solid corner, but he hasn’t become the runaway favorite. Early on in OTA’s McCourty didn’t get a bunch of reps.

Now McCourty can go out and prove he is the right man for the job. If he could get a couple picks it would be big for him.

I expect McCourty to play a lot simply because he is in an important battle. Even though he is a 9-year veteran he isn’t a guarantee to get a ton of playing time.

If McCourty stumbles in the preseason he could find himself at the bottom of the New England Patriots depth chart, or even worse off the roster completely.

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