5 Patriots Not Named Drake Maye To Keep an Eye on in Preseason Game vs. Panthers

All eyes will be on Drake Maye during the New England Patriots‘ preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. The performances of rookie receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker also will be top storylines, as will those of the other three quarterbacks, including starter Jacoby Brissett.

But what about the other players?

Thursday night’s game at Gillette Stadium will feature a slew of New England players who are on the bubble but have made compelling cases to earn roster spots. Some are unheralded rookies; others are veterans looking to prove they belong on the roster.

With that in mind, let’s look at five under-the-radar Patriots players to keep an eye on in the team’s first NFL preseason game.

Under-the-Radar Patriots Players to Watch in the Preseason Opener

Honorable mentions: S Dell Pettus, DT Trysten Hill, S Jaylinn Hawkins, G Layden Robinson, CB Marcellas Dial Jr.

TE Jaheim Bell

We know Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper will be the Patriots’ top two tight ends, but who’ll be No. 3 on the depth chart?

The competition is between rookie seventh-rounder Jaheim Bell, undrafted rookie Jacoby Warren, and veteran journeymen Mitchell Wilcox and La’Michael Pettway. None have been particularly impressive during training camp, but Bell unquestionably carries the most upside.

The Florida State product is uber-athletic but slipped in the draft, reportedly due to character concerns. He’s also missed time during camp due to an undisclosed injury, though he returned Tuesday and made a highlight-reel catch.

If Bell plays on Thursday night, don’t be surprised if he flashes the potential that makes him such an interesting prospect. He also might need a strong preseason to earn a roster spot.

OLB Oshane Ximines

The 2019 third-round pick was a disappointment over his five seasons with the New York Giants. But Oshane Ximines is now in New England, and he’s been one of the positive surprises of camp.

We’re not saying he’s about to be Rob Ninkovich 2.0 or anything, but Ximines has flashed pass-rushing upside throughout the summer, and his playing time has steadily increased as a result. With Josh Uche still battling an undisclosed injury and Matthew Judon’s future uncertain, Ximines could earn a spot on the edge rusher depth chart.

RB Terrell Jennings

Of the Patriots’ two undrafted rookie running backs, we thought Deshaun Fenwick had the best chance of sneaking onto the roster. But he was released last week, leaving only Terrell Jennings.

He’s mostly repped with the third-team offense, and he’s hardly a star in the making. But Jennings has shown some promise, using his athleticism and 6-foot, 217-pound frame to blend speed and power.

If Jennings is going to beat out either Kevin Harris or JaMycal Hasty for a spot on the running back depth chart, he needs to show out in the preseason.

S/ST Brenden Schooler

As one of the best special teams players in the NFL, Brenden Schooler seemingly entered training camp as a roster lock. But after Schooler saw increased safety reps early in camp, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo was asked what he’d seen from the third-year pro on defense.

“I thought it was important to not just have core special teams players only focused on special teams,” Mayo said in a stark departure from a core Bill Belichick tenet. “Schooler will be at the game. He’s an All-Pro type of special teams player. In saying that, there will be times where maybe we need to get out of a game because of injuries or whatever it is.

“Hopefully, it’s from blowing another team out and putting him in there. But he needs to have a fundamental understanding of our defense. To answer your question, this guy can run, and this guy can tackle and this guy is smart. You put those three things together, you’ve got a pretty good defensive player.”

It seems Mayo is saying Schooler isn’t a roster lock just because he’s great on special teams. The first-year head coach basically confirmed this while answering a follow-up question.

“I don’t fundamentally believe — unless you are a Matt Slater, Hall of Fame type of special teams player,” Mayo said before trailing off. “I think the more you can do, the more value you can bring to our roster and our team, the more flexibility. That’s the important thing for us.”

Schooler’s spot on the roster likely is safe. However, he might need to prove to be at least passable on defense during the preseason to avoid getting bad news later this month.

LB Joe Giles-Harris

Joe Giles-Harris spent all of last season on the Patriots’ practice squad, where the journeyman linebacker earned a reputation as one of the team’s best practice players. He’s carried that success into his second training camp in Foxborough.

Giles-Harris seemingly makes a play every day. And, with offseason acquisition Sione Takitaki still rehabbing from an offseason knee procedure, the Patriots are perilously thin at linebacker.

There’s an opening for Giles-Harris, but he needs to capitalize on the opportunity.