EAGAN, Minn. — After two days of spirited practices against the Vikings, the Patriots probably won’t overload their starters with reps in Saturday’s preseason action.
But head coach Mike Vrabel valued giving those players some work in the preseason opener, and it would come as no surprise if he took a similar approach in Minneapolis this weekend.
With that in mind, understanding that the reserves will dominate in terms of playing time, here are five Patriots to keep an eye on…
Kyle Dugger, S
There’s no sugarcoating it: The former captain has had a difficult camp. Dugger has looked stiff at times in the open field, and he hasn’t always looked comfortable in the deep portion of the secondary.
In Vrabel’s system, safeties are asked to be versatile athletes who can track backs and tight ends in man coverage, but Dugger hasn’t shown much in that role this summer. He has a chance to change course Saturday.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about Kyle Dugger’s seemingly diminished role on the defense this preseason.
Alex Austin, CB
Austin’s length — he measures in at 6-foot-1, 191 pounds — has helped him as a corner on the outside, but what he’s shown in the slot has been particularly impressive. He has the look of a roster lock, and if the Patriots want some size in the slot he looks like a real option on the interior.
Marcus Jones, who has been used frequently inside since being drafted in 2022, is a much smaller player and had trouble with bigger targets against the Vikings this week.
Efton Chism III, WR
It’s hard not to notice Chism on a regular basis out on the practice field.
He snared a leaping touchdown grab from Joshia Dobbs in the back corner of the end zone early in 11-on-11 red zone work on Thursday. The pair connected for another eye-opening connection when Chism toe-tapped in bounds on an accurate pass to the boundary for a score.
If the Patriots want to keep six wideouts, based on practice production, Chism might be the choice.
Kyle Williams, WR
It’s worth noting when Vrabel offers up an unsolicited compliment. That’s exactly what he did for Williams when discussing how racking up quantifiable production — completions, catches, sacks, for example — isn’t the only way to gauge summertime success in the NFL.
Williams was open on multiple occasions for touchdowns in the preseason opener, but quarterback Joshua Dobbs couldn’t find him. On Day 1 of joint practices, Williams was open deep twice but Drake Maye missed him.
“There’s days where the ball doesn’t find you,” Vrabel said. “There’s one football. There’s five eligible receivers. The quarterback decides where he wants to go with the ball… Kyle Williams is working extremely hard. Ball hasn’t really found him. He’s been open. There’s been separation.”
Marcus Bryant, OT
One of the surprises of camp has been the seventh-round rookie tackle out of Missouri. In college, he flew under the radar playing opposite teammate Armand Membou (taken in the first round by the Jets), but the Patriots look like they may have gotten a steal late on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-7, 320-pounder moved smoothly in practices this week, standing out with three wins and just one loss on 1-on-1 periods this week. Right now he looks like the team’s third-best tackle, and the Patriots seem to be preparing him to be the swing tackle in the regular season since they’re getting him reps on the left and right sides.
