Outside linebackers
42. This group has been terrific, validating every belief the pass rush will be vastly improved in 2021.
43. Matt Judon is the real deal. He had a dominant three-snap stretch against Washington with a third-down run stop, a forced incompletion on a zone drop into coverage and a QB hit. He was great Monday, too, intercepting
Jalen Hurts, blowing up a pass in the backfield and registering a sack.
44. Ronnie Perkins hurt his knee Tuesday and departed to get it taped before watching the rest of practice, so it’s unclear if he’ll play Thursday. That would be a shame, as he had a QB hit and five pressures against Washington’s backups, and it would be great to see how he does in game action against starters.
45. No need to reinvent the wheel here:
Josh Uche is going to be really, really good.
46. Chase Winovich debuted at practice this week after opening camp on the PUP list. Bill Belichick was asked Tuesday about Winovich and replied, “Obviously he needs to work in every area because he hasn’t done much. We’ll just try to catch him up the best we can. He’ll work hard, and he’ll do what he can and just take it day by day.” While Winovich’s regular-season playing time has been a rollercoaster ride, don’t lose sight of the fact that he was a capable pass rusher last season, leading the Patriots with 56.5 disruptions (5.5 sacks, 18 QB hits, 33 pressures). Yeah, Belichick wants more out of him in terms of scheme responsibility, but Winovich should be a useful situational pass rusher with this group.
47. Kyle Van Noy started opposite of Judon in the 3-4 base against Washington and kicked inside on sub packages. These were vanilla defensive looks, but those roles should be consistent this season.
48. Tashawn Bower looks bigger and had a nice game last week. Consider him close to the bubble than the long-shot range.
49. Anfernee Jennings didn’t play against Washington and hasn’t been at practice this week, so he is not expected to play against the Eagles.
Inside linebackers
50. Dont’a Hightower looked like himself last week, which was anticipated after his work in camp.
51. Ja’Whaun Bentley has been one of the surprises of camp. He was kind of on an island last season due to the injuries in the front seven, but he’s thrived with a better group around him. Bentley has shown plus-coverage awareness with a team-high three interceptions in practice. He’s also got three pass breakups.
52. This group looks thin with
Raekwon McMillan on injured reserve, but Van Noy is an inside linebacker by sub-package standards and Uche can also fill that role. That’s also where they’ve used Jennings during his limited availability. If they need an extra body,
Harvey Langi would be next in line.
53. Terez Hall (PUP) and Cam McGrone (NFI) have yet to practice. Hall’s timeline is unknown, but he could conceivably still be a helpful depth piece if he can return before the end of camp due to his experience in the system. McGrone, who tore his ACL in November, may be heading for a redshirt year.
54. Cassh Maluia re-signed after McMillan’s injury but hasn’t factored into the starting defensive rotation and could be a candidate to return to the practice squad.
55. Brandon King is exclusively a special teamer.
Cornerbacks
56. Still no word on
Stephon Gilmore’s timeline. He’s been on PUP and a regular resident on the conditioning fields in Foxboro.
57. The depth around J.C. Jackson has been tested here this week. Aside from Gilmore, Jon Jones was injured Monday and was only available to watch Tuesday in street clothes. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Jones doesn’t play Thursday.
58. As such, the Patriots kicked
Jalen Mills to the slot and started
Joejuan Williams, who has made enough of a leap over the past week to consider him inside the 53-man roster. Mills has played everywhere in camp — on the boundary, in the slot, back at safety — and should still be viewed as a matchup-based chess piece during the season.
59. This time last week, Michael Jackson appeared to have the edge on Williams, but their stocks might have flipped this week. Way too close to call, though.
60. Justin Bethel gets quite a bit of practice time as a backup cornerback, but his home is on special teams, where he remains one of the best in the league.
61. Dee Virgin and D’Angelo Ross still look like longshots.
Safeties
62. Tight ends
Zach Ertz and
Dallas Goedert were each a nuisance this week in practice. Without getting to watch replays, it’s not easy to see if there was a theme with their ability to get open against the Patriots defense. Obviously, they’re good players, and that’s a pretty important part of the equation, but this game could be a good learning experience.
63. Devin McCourty got the veteran treatment last week, so he could make his preseason debut Thursday. With some of the defensive veterans noting the importance to improve the communication element, there would be value in McCourty’s presence on the field.
64. Kyle Dugger and
Adrian Phillips should each earn starting-level playing time. Both have been on the field a ton in a variety of looks.
65. It might be worth creating a “defensive backs” category for
Myles Bryant and Mills for the next roster rundown. Just when you think you’re comfortable to call one a safety, he becomes a corner, and vice versa.
66. Malik Gant continues to impress. Washington QBs were 0 of 2 when throwing at Gant, and he had a pass breakup last week. Not bad for a guy who signed two days earlier and only participated in walkthroughs.
67. Cody Davis is exclusively a special teamer. He got $2.1 million guaranteed and will be on the 53-man roster.
68. Adrian Colbert appears to be in the long-shot category.
69. Josh Bledsoe is still on NFI and has been wearing various protective gear on his surgically repaired wrist.
Specialists
70. Quinn Nordin was 17 of 18 on his kicks inside Gillette Stadium this month, including two practices and the preseason opener. The missed extra point was the only blemish. The undrafted rookie closed practice Tuesday by going 3 of 4 on field-goal attempts. He made from 33, 40 and 44 yards before hooking it left from 46. Nordin continues to turn heads in
Nick Folk’s absence and is expected to be the sole kicker Thursday.
71. Joe Cardona hasn’t practiced since Aug. 8 and isn’t expected to play Thursday. He was on the conditioning field Sunday, so it might not be a long-term situation.
Brian Khoury will long snap for the second consecutive game.
72. Jake Bailey averaged 54 yards per punt against Washington. So he’s got that going for him, which is nice.
73. As the Patriots practice for every scenario, Deatrich Wise and Jonnu Smith have worked as emergency long snappers, and Gunner Olszewski has taken some holds on field goals.
74. Olszewski had one punt return for 10 yards against Washington.
Marvin Hall was released after his muffed return. J.J. Taylor was credited with a return for no gain.
75. Taylor added kick returns of 29 and 16 yards. Brandon Bolden has also gotten a decent amount of work in practice as a kick returner. Unless someone else emerges, this could be a key element in the chase for the 53-man roster.