Eight Players To Watch In Patriots’ Preseason Finale Vs. Commanders

The Patriots have to make some tough decisions on roster cut-down day — which rolls around on Aug. 27 — but they’ll first be given an opportunity to scout one last time against the Washington Commanders.

New England and Washington will meet in the final preseason game on the NFL’s calendar Sunday, and it’ll be an important one for both clubs.

Who will stay? Who will go? Who will make the decisions even tougher than they already were? Let’s look at some of those players while also highlighting those whose roles could be impacted Sunday at Commanders Field.

QB Drake Maye

Is Maye really making a push for the starting job?

The Patriots undoubtedly have seen improvements from the soon-to-be 22-year-old, but given the trajectory of the last first-round quarterback they started right away, that final decision should be thought about long and hard. He should play a lot in Washington, but the only way we should see Jacoby Brissett get surpassed on the depth chart is if Maye leaves zero doubt.

New England can’t afford to make changes based on anything short of that.

K Chad Ryland

He has to play, right?

The Patriots have opted to play Joey Slye in each of their first two preseason contests, and he’s performed well (3-for-3). Ryland, given his standing as a former fourth-round pick, should be given an opportunity to keep his job. It’s been three weeks of this, so something has to change.

OL Mike Onwenu

New England flirted with moving Onwenu back to tackle during the week, but are Jerod Mayo and company bold enough to do it in a game setting?

CBs Marco Wilson and Marcellas Dial Jr.

New England is going to keep a hefty group of corners, but it seems like an ultimate decision could be made between Wilson and Dial. The Patriots have to like what they’ve seen out of the former, but he hasn’t brought much outside of decent coverage late in preseason games. Dial is a work in progress defensively but could contribute immediately in the kicking game. What do the Patriots value more?

OL Vederian Lowe

Lowe is the starting left tackle, and while you prepare to throw tomatoes at your screen, we’d like to remind you that we aren’t the ones who made that decision. The Patriots keep trotting him out there and have pretty much said they plan on keeping him in that spot.

Can he improve morale with a solid showing against the Commanders, or is it time to sound the alarms?

TE Jaheim Bell

Bell has a huge opportunity in front of him, as injuries to Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper have left him in position to finally make a run at that last roster spot in the tight end room. It’s been a slow summer for the 23-year-old, but continued improvement might be enough for the Patriots to keep him behind the two veterans.

WR Kayshon Boutte

Boutte has been sneakily the most steady receiver for New England through two preseason games. The Patriots have seen him connect with all four quarterbacks at different points. Can he force their hand and earn that final roster spot?