For most NFL players, August is a stressful time of year. It’s when they’re fighting for jobs and trying to prove they deserve a spot on the final 53-man roster. The margins are razor-thin, and a good or bad performance can make or break a player.
That’s especially true for Patriots players, as Bill Belichick has high standards. He expects a lot out of his players and knows what it takes to build a championship roster. Belichick isn’t easily impressed, but he knows talent when he sees it and won’t keep a player around just for sentimental reasons.
With the final roster deadline coming up on Aug. 29, time is running out for players to make a good impression. Fortunately, some fringe guys have already appeared to secure roster spots with strong performances during training camp and preseason games.
Here are three Patriots players on the roster bubble who seem like pretty good bets for a roster spot at this point.
3 Patriots Who Have Clinched Roster Spots
1. Kayshon Boutte
A lot of times for bubble guys, whether or not they make the roster comes down to opportunity. If someone ahead of them gets hurt and gives them a chance to show their stuff, they need to make the most of it.
Well, that’s exactly what Boutte’s been doing lately. With Tyquan Thornton and Demario Douglas sidelined, a chance has opened up for him in New England’s wide receiver room.
And so far, Boutte’s taking advantage. He’s been making impressive catches during training camp practices, which have translated to game action as well. Boutte caught a touchdown pass from Bailey Zappe during Week 2 of preseason action against the Green Bay Packers, giving him a terrific highlight to hang his hat on.
Boutte has built off that momentum with another strong week of practices, making a strong case that he belongs on the roster. The Patriots already have their top three receivers set with JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne, but Boutte could provide depth behind them as a fourth or fifth option.
Expectations weren’t high for the sixth-round draft pick at the start of camp, but he’s exceeded them and then some.
2. Myles Bryant
Similar to Boutte, Bryant is another player who’s benefitted from an expanded opportunity.
New England’s cornerback room is looking pretty thin right now, especially after first-round draft pick Christian Gonzalez sustained an injury during Wednesday’s practice. Jonathan Jones is also hurt and hasn’t practiced in weeks, while Jack Jones is facing potential legal discipline.
All of that seems to open the door for Bryant, who’s been moved around the secondary this summer but has played well overall. He’s stood out in practice and recorded a pass breakup during the Patriots’ preseason win over the Packers, showing he can be a disruptive threat during games as well.
Bryant is healthy and versatile, which is more than a lot of his teammates can say right now. Belichick typically likes players who can do different things and be utilized in different schemes, so he probably appreciates Bryant’s ability to handle multiple positions.
The other thing Belichick loves that Bryant has shown some flashes of is special teams ability. His special teams snap rate doubled from 11% in 2020 to 22% in 2022, so he could be in for more run there as well.
Between Bryant’s skill set and the team’s glaring need at cornerback, he seems likely to stick around.
3. Malik Cunningham
Cunningham was a bit of a wild card when the Patriots signed him as an undrafted free agent. He obviously has a ton of upside and athleticism, but he also lacks polish and doesn’t have an obvious fit on New England’s roster.
Well, he’s done everything he can during preseason to prove he belongs somewhere. The Patriots have given him reps at quarterback, gunner and wide receiver, trying to see where they can best utilize his speed and obvious physical gifts.
That still isn’t totally clear yet, but it seems that New England will be able to get some use out of him. He’s been very coachable, flexible and eager to learn, which has impressed the coaching staff. He’s also willing to play anywhere if it helps the team, which is the type of player that Belichick usually loves.
The receiving room is a bit crowded at the moment (see above), but Cunningham could bump Trace McSorley from the QB3 spot on the depth chart or potentially end up on special teams.
Either way, Cunningham seems like a project worth investing in, and he’s shown enough potential to warrant a longer look.
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