Everyone’s talking about Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett after the New England Patriots‘ preseason loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday. The wretched performances of multiple starting offensive linemen are also talking points.
However, for now, let’s instead focus on roster-bubble players who either helped or hurt their causes during New England’s preseason finale. Reminder: The Patriots must trim their roster to 53 by Tuesday afternoon.
4 Patriots Who Boosted Roster Chances in Preseason Finale
LB Christian Elliss
Christian Elliss, whom the Patriots added late last season, was one of the pleasant surprises of training camp. That continued Sunday night when the veteran linebacker posted 11 tackles, including one for a loss, playing 59% of the defensive snaps. Unfortunately, a head injury forced him from the game during the second half.
Elliss would provide value as a core special teamer and quality depth linebacker. With Sione Takitaki potentially starting the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris, and Raekwon McMillan could be battling for two open roster spots.
RB JaMycal Hasty
Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson are roster locks. That leaves one or two spots open for JaMycal Hasty, Kevin Harris, and undrafted rookies Terrell Jennings and Deshaun Fenwick. However, if there’s just one spot up for grabs, it likely will be filled by Hasty or Harris.
Hasty made a strong case Sunday night when he ran for 21 yards on four carries and caught three balls for 24 yards. He showed quality burst as both a runner and pass catcher. With offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt emphasizing screens, Hasty might have an edge over Harris.
JaMycal Hasty said Alex Van Pelt wants the Patriots to be the “best screen team in the league.” Likes how much Van Pelt involves RBs in the passing game in different ways. pic.twitter.com/HbLq5f4ON1
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 23, 2024
LB Joe Giles-Harris
A practice squadder for all over last season, Giles-Harris was a consistent contributor throughout the summer. And he finished with a bang by racking up five tackles, one pass breakup, and an interception against the Commanders.
Giles-Harris is firmly on the roster bubble but might’ve clinched a spot with his performance on Sunday.
PICK! Joe Giles-Harris gets it back for the @Patriots.
📺: #NEvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/VS2gasCdZe— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2024
EDGE William Bradley-King
William Bradley-King made a late push during training camp and popped in Sunday’s game with a QB pressure and tackle for loss in 31 snaps. Oshane Ximines seemingly was ticketed for the Patriots’ open edge spot earlier in camp, but his recent injury opened the door for Bradley-King, who’s capitalized on the opportunity.
2 Patriots Who Hurt Their Causes in Commanders Game
CB Azizi Hearn
This was a rough one for Azizi Hearn.
The veteran cornerback committed two defensive pass interference penalties and gave up a touchdown. He also submitted one of the NFL preseason’s top lowlights when he got trucked by quarterback Trace McSorley.
Trace McSorley lowers his shoulder into Azizi Hearn pic.twitter.com/RAdGCcoryF
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) August 26, 2024
Hearn will have a tough time living that one down. His already slim chances of making the roster dropped to zero after Sunday’s game.
C Nick Leverett
Nick Leverett likely will make the roster as the only serviceable backup center in the building. However, after a strong start to camp, he struggled with pass protection and snapping the ball to quarterbacks.
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Sunday night saw Leverett botch two more snaps, although Maye might’ve been at fault on one of them.
Undrafted rookie Liam Fornadel and second-year guard Atonio Mafi are the only other players semi-capable of playing center, so Leverett probably backs into a roster spot.