Five Patriots Positional Battles To Be Decided In Preseason Game Vs. Giants

The New England Patriots’ fourth preseason game won’t be overly exciting for those hoping to see stars and starters. But for those interested in the competition on the back end of the roster, this matchup is for you.

The Patriots still have some tough decisions to make before they whittle their roster down to 53 players Saturday. Here are the roster battles to watch in the Patriots’ matchup with the New York Giants.

RUNNING BACK: D.J. FOSTER VS. TYLER GAFFNEY
LeGarrette Blount, James White and Brandon Bolden are almost certainly making the Patriots’ 53-man roster, which leaves one more spot for either Foster or Gaffney. Foster was hurt for most of the summer but impressed in his preseason debut last Friday with 46 total yards on six touches.

Gaffney has been healthy all summer for the first time in his three-year career, and he’s been solid in preseason games, carrying the ball 29 times for 130 yards and a touchdown with five receptions for 18 yards.

The Patriots have a pretty good sense of what Gaffney can give them at this point, while Foster still presents some mystery. If Foster struggles against the Giants, Gaffney likely has the inside track for a roster spot. But if Foster stands out again, he could be intriguing to stash on the roster.

WIDE RECEIVER: KESHAWN MARTIN VS. AARON DOBSON
This still appears to be Martin’s job to lose, since Dobson reportedly is being shopped in a trade. Martin was hurt for most of the summer and only played his first preseason game last week. Dobson looked good at the beginning of the summer, but when the pads came on, he fell off.

Martin was ahead of Dobson on the wide receiver depth chart last year. At this point, it seems Dobson would have to have a fantastic game to convince the Patriots to keep him around for his fourth season.

TIGHT END: A.J. DERBY VS. CLAY HARBOR
Derby did enough in the Patriots’ first two preseason games to leapfrog Harbor on the tight end depth chart. Derby had a bad drop Friday against the Carolina Panthers, however.

It still seems Derby will make it over Harbor, but one more impressive game would certainly increase his chances.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE: MARKUS KUHN VS. ANTHONY JOHNSON
Both players are running with the first team in the preseason, and both players made it farther than Terrance Knighton, who was cut this week.

Kuhn and Johnson play the same position, but they’re different types of players. Kunn is a space-eater and primarily a run defender, while Johnson is undersized at 280 pounds and has been used as an interior rusher.

Kuhn would rotate with fellow defensive tackles Malcolm Brown, Alan Branch and Vincent Valentine. Johnson is more of a niche player and must prove he’s more effective in the interior rushing role than the Patriots’ edge defenders, of which there are many, including Trey Flowers and Jabaal Sheard. The Patriots could elect to keep both players, but it would come at the expense of valuable depth at another position.

CORNERBACK: CRE’VON LEBLANC VS. JONTHAN JONES VS. DARRYL ROBERTS
We’re assuming Justin Coleman will join Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan and Cyrus Jones on the Patriots’ 53-man roster, leaving one spot for LeBlanc, Jonathan Jones or Roberts.

LeBlanc has impressed most at cornerback, Jones has been best on special teams, and the Patriots have invested the most in Roberts, a 2015 seventh-round pick.

LeBlanc sat out of practice Tuesday with a hip injury. If that keeps him from playing Thursday, it could hurt his chances of making the 53-man roster.

Thumbnail photo via Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports Images