The New England Patriots’ first preseason game, a matchup against the Detroit Lions, is the perfect opportunity for young talent and veterans to prove their worth to the team. If they’re on the roster bubble — or even competing for a starting job — they need to perform well in this game.
In years past, the Patriots have elected to sit some of their starters, like Tom Brady, Devin McCourty and Dont’a Hightower, among others. They will likely do the same this week, allowing their roster locks to get some rest while players with less experience get a chance to shine.
Here are the eight players with a lot to prove.
QB Jarrett Stidham, WR Jakobi Meyers, WR N’Keal Harry, LT Dan Skipper, RB Damien Harris, LB Jamie Collins, CB Duke Dawson, DE Derek Rivers
Jarrett Stidham, QB
The rookie quarterback has developed at a pace few expected. When he came out of high school, he was one of the top recruits in the nation. But he ended up transferring from Baylor to Auburn. Neither location seemed to buoy his draft interest, and ultimately, he fell to the Patriots in the fourth round in 2019. And while Stidham was quick to point out some of the bad tendencies he developed at Auburn — which is actually a good sign of self-awareness for him — he has set himself on a positive trajectory of development in New England.
He is officially nipping at Brian Hoyer’s heels in the competition to be Brady’s backup. The preseason games could make that battle more fierce.
Jakobi Meyers, WR
The undrafted rookie wideout has been a stud in practice, so much so that he has earned first-team reps with the first-team offense. Frankly, he is probably the top receiver on the depth chart. While that’s notable, he’s a long way from holding that spot. The Patriots could see three receivers return to the field in the coming weeks: Julian Edelman (thumb), Demaryius Thomas (Achilles) and Josh Gordon (suspension). That would send Meyers plummeting down the depth chart — especially when considering that N’Keal Harry, the 2019 first-round pick, seems to be on the verge of a breakout at any moment.
Meyer’s steady and strong performances in practice need to continue in the preseason.
N’Keal Harry, WR
Speaking of Harry, he’s looking at the same possibility as Meyers — except Harry isn’t getting as much work with Brady and the first-team offense as Meyers. So Harry is at risk of falling even further down the depth chart if and when those veterans return.
Harry also may not even play, which would be notable. He seemed to be dealing with a leg issue at the end of Tuesday’s practice. The Patriots may tread cautiously with the young talent. That setback could impact his development and rapport with Brady.
Dan Skipper, LT
So far, Skipper has been the Patriots’ starting left tackle. Isaiah Wynn is getting eased into action because of the Achilles injury he suffered during the 2018 preseason. But Skipper could go a long way in further establishing himself as the starter if he plays well in preseason. It’s likely that Wynn will watch from the sideline on Thursday night.
Damien Harris, RB
I’ve suggested that Harris is likely to take on a role as a power back in the Patriots offense. He may end up being the team’s between-the-tackles bludgeon for the 2019 season. He did a good job running with power and balance at Alabama, which allowed Josh Jacobs, now with the Raiders, a chance to show his elusiveness. Perhaps the Patriots want Harris to have the same role in New England to help Sony Michel become more of a big-play threat.
Jamie Collins, LB
Collins is among the most pleasant surprises at training camp. He has been a ballhawk, with forced fumbles and deflections in New England’s front seven. He has been so good, in fact, that the Patriots might treat him like one of the established veterans, who sit out. But that would be a surprise. What’s more likely is that they give him a series or two with the starting unit to further prove he belongs with them. To this point, every sign indicates he will be a starter. Preseason will galvanize his enormous role.
Duke Dawson, CB
Dawson continues to be a case of arrested development. The Patriots have so many good cornerbacks, and they added another in April when they drafted Joejuan Williams, who is showing signs of improvement. Dawson, meanwhile, only seems to sink lower on the depth chart, in part because of the talent around him. But he also needs to make more positive plays to put himself on the roster.
The preseason needs to be his place where he proves the Patriots were right to draft him in the second round in 2018.
Derek Rivers, DE
Rivers is in a position that’s similar to Dawson’s. Rivers, a 2016 third-round pick, has yet to take a major leap forward at his position. Meanwhile, rookie Chase Winovich seems to be making the leap faster than most expected. If Rivers doesn’t begin to play with speed and strength commensurate to the NFL level, he’s going to get cut.
