The Patriots took on the Tennessee Titans Saturday night and sat most of their starting lineups. After struggling early, the Pats put together a couple nice drives and defeated the Titans 22-17. Young players stepped in and stepped up which got the blood flowing for the 2019 season. However, with some performing well, come others struggling and could cost them their spot on the 53-man. Here are some takeaways I had from their win in Tennessee:
- Brian Hoyer looked decent to start the game, but threw an interception early and eventually gave way to the rookie Stidham. Hoyer looks like he’ll make the roster along with Stidham, but if one of those guys has to go, he’ll likely draw the short straw.
- Jarrett Stidham stumbled a bit out of the gate, nearly throwing three interceptions, but settled in in the fourth quarter and put together some nice drives. I need to see a bit more from him this preseason, but from what I’ve seen, he looks like a nice potential heir to Brady. I think the Pats will keep three quarterbacks to start the season, but ultimately Stidham will have the edge over Hoyer if a roster spot needs to be cleared.
- The defensive line now looks like a strong area for the Patriots, with the play of rookie Byron Cowart, who destroyed Rodger Saffold for a sack on the first drive, and Danny Shelton on the interior. Deatrich Wise looked solid early with Shilique Calhoun getting reps with the first team. He suffered what looked like a gruesome injury, but eventually came back on the field and said he felt fine after the game.
- This is a make or break preseason for Derek Rivers. The top pick from 2017 has yet to do anything in the regular season, and is a fringe player to make the roster. His injury in the first quarter could cost him as we await a diagnosis, but he has made some nice plays so far.
- The injuries to Calhoun and Rivers opened the door for more playing time for third rounder Chase Winovich. Wino is an absolute monster. Wreaking havoc on the right tackle with a wide array of pass rush moves and made the Titans quarterbacks uncomfortable. The scouting report on Winovich was his high motor, and boy was that on display. Chasing guys 10-15 yards downfield to make the tackle shows his relentless attitude that the Patriots need on this roster. It’s hard not seeing him getting early playing time in Week 1 of the regular season.
- Joejuan Williams is looking like a lockdown corner. The 6′-4″ second rounder was shutting guys down, and is quickly climbing the depth chart. I think he’ll find his way as the No. 2 corner as the season goes on alongside Stephon Gilmore, surpassing J.C. Jackson and Jason McCourty. Jackson struggled a bit early, giving up a third-down catch to Corey Davis and also drew a flag.
- While this year’s second rounder is flashing, last year’s second rounder Duke Dawson continues to struggle. He was flagged and gave up a few catches. He’s struggled in camp and has struggled in the preseason. The cornerbacks room is very crowded, and I really don’t think he’ll make it through final cuts. He’s got two more weeks to prove himself.
- Other members of the secondary to watch are Keion Crossen, Obi Melifonwu, and Terrence Brooks. Crossen, who primarily played special teams a year ago, made some nice plays in this one, but he’s in a crowded cornerbacks room and might not make it to the 53. Brooks looked real good on defense while Melifonwu struggled in coverage. I really like Grafton, MA native and is an absolute freak athletically, but Obi’s got to step up to warrant a roster spot, as Brooks looks to have the edge.
- Something I haven’t seen since maybe 2015 when he entered the league was core special teamer Brandon King on defense. A strong safety/linebacker by trade, King has been a stud on special teams, but has never played a regular season defensive snap. I found this alarming that maybe the Patriots consider King to be expendable on special teams, and are trying to find some value in him on defense. Could be nothing, but Belichick does value versatility, and King being a one-trick pony on special teams could be troublesome for him.
- A player that caught my eye in the middle of the defense was linebacker Calvin Munson. The former Giants undrafted player was a tackling machine, but is in a crowded linebacker room. He’ll likely find his way onto the practice squad for the second straight year.
- Let’s hope no one on the starting offensive line gets hurt because the backups are terrible. Rookie Hjalte Froholdt, Cole Croston, and James Ferentz were flagged and beat several times, and they figure to compete for backup jobs, with really only Froholdt having an edge to make the roster as a fourth rounder. The towering 6′-9″ Dan Skipper figures to be the top swing tackle behind starters Isaiah Wynn and Marcus Cannon.
- Isaiah Wynn played in the first three series at left tackle and held his own while the rest of the line struggled. He doesn’t have the prototypical size for a tackle at 6′-2″, but if he has the ability, then he’ll do fine as the Week 1 starter at left tackle.
- We got to see Damien Harris a lot in this one, and he did not disappoint. The rookie third-rounder showed power and jump cut ability and will be a great compliment to Sony Michel. How much he’ll play is yet to be determined, which is the Patriots specialty when it comes to their running backs. With fantasy drafts coming up, many have Harris being drafted in the mid-late rounds, we’ll see how they actually use him.
- No one’s really talking about this guy, but I’m gonna give some love to undrafted rookie Nick Brossette. He’s carried the load late in games this preseason, but it’s not going to earn him a spot on the Patriots 53-man roster. He had a nice touchdown in this one, and is really only fighting for a practice squad spot, or on someone else’s roster. The Patriots running backs room is very crowded with Michel, Harris and James White atop the depth chart. Burkhead might not even make the roster, which is weird to say, and same with Brandon Bolden. Five running backs is a lot for a team to keep.
- Another week, another reason to believe undrafted rookie Jakobi Meyers is going to make this roster. Guy does not drop a pass, and his footwork was on display on this one and it is dirty. His feet look like they’re going a million miles an hour at the line and makes defenders look ridiculous. He has a unique frame at 6′-2″, 200 lbs playing from the slot, but he’s been mister reliable for Hoyer and Stidham. It’s crazy to believe that this guy wasn’t drafted. He was projected as a fourth-fifth rounder but some sites, with his major knock being his speed and acceleration. Who needs speed when you’ve got his hands and moves at the line of scrimmage. Keep proving the doubters wrong Meyers, we love you here in New England.
- With injuries to several receivers, no one else has really stepped up outside of Meyers, who is the only receiver to have more than one catch in this one. Guys on the edge of making the roster like Braxton Berrios and Dontrelle Inman haven’t produced. I’m a huge Berrios fan, and if he wants to make this roster, he’s got to produce on offense, because his punt return ability was unnoticeable in this one. Kudos to Damoun Patterson who had a nice touchdown grab, but it’s a real uphill climb for him as he sits at the bottom of the depth chart.
- I still have no idea who’s going to be Patriots tight ends in 2019. No one has stepped up and I don’t see a clear cut depth chart so far. Lance Kendricks had a nice catch and run, but drew a costly hold in the endzone to force a safety. Recent trade acquisition Eric Saubert looked decent, but I need to see more. With Matt LaCosse hurt and Ben Watson set to serve a four-game suspension, the Patriots need somebody, anybody, to step up and claim what will likely only be two spots on the roster.
- The Jake Bailey vs. Ryan Allen battle is a real tough one right now. Allen had a nice punt in the first quarter to pin the Titans inside the 20, while Bailey showed off his leg on the drop kick after the safety. Gostkowski missed another field goal in this one with Bailey as the holder, who could be part of the blame for the miss. Allen is a great holder who’s been doing it since 2013. Bailey has the leg up when it comes to power, but I’d give Allen the edge when it comes to location and pinning guys deep. Who doesn’t love a good punter battle in the preseason?
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