6 rings: Everything you need to know ahead of the Patriots’ preseason opener
The Patriots officially embarked on their journey into the 2023 season on July 26. Just over two weeks later, they’re headed into game action as they welcome the Houston Texans to Foxborough on Thursday evening for their first preseason matchup. The game will kick off at 7:10 p.m.
Though we won't be able to make all of our opinions, decisions, and hot takes off of one game, roster cuts from ~90 players to 53 are already looming and there are plenty of impact players set to suit up on Thursday night. Here are 10 of them to watch:
10 - QB Bailey Zappe, Patriots
While there has been zero - I repeat - zero semblance of a quarterback competition thus far between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, the reps Zappe receives on Thursday night will bode watching.
That’s because it’s the debut of the Patriots' new offensive system under Bill O’Brien. Following their train wreck on offense in 2022, New England cleared house and brought in O’Brien to take over the reins of the unit. Though it hasn’t been able to fully come together due to a lack of consistency along the offensive line, the skill players from Mac Jones on down seem to have a clear understanding of the scheme. They should be able to succeed in 2023 if they get a respectable performance in the trenches.
Thursday will be our first look, with Zappe running the operation.
Jones and mego: Mike Kadlick on Patriots first preseason game, quarterback "competition":
9 - QB/WR Malik Cunningham, Patriots
The second the 2023 NFL Draft ended, the Patriots quickly made one of the first post-draft signings when they agreed to terms with undrafted free agent Malik Cunningham. New England and the former Louisville quarterback agreed on a three-year deal that includes $200,000 in guaranteed money, the second most the club has ever doled out to a UDFA.
While Cunningham played quarterback at U of L and is technically listed as one on New England's roster, they've been using him as a wide receiver for the majority of training camp, sporting a normal white jersey and two receiving gloves.
This has, however, changed over the last several practices as the dual-threat talent has seen some snaps behind center this week during camp. The Patriots are likely gearing up for him to get some run at quarterback following Zappe and Trace McSorley on Thursday. A successful outing passing the football could help him push McSorley for the third quarterback spot on the roster.
8 - WR John Metchie III, Texans
Former Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III was selected by the Texans in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but sat out his entire rookie season after tearing his ACL in 2021 and then being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia last July.
Now fully healthy and full participant in Houston’s training camp, Metchie will play in his first football game since the 2021 SEC Championship game, an exciting development for the 23-year-old who has worked hard and been through it all to get back to this point.
7 - OL Sidy Sow, Patriots
The Patriots' offensive line is in a bad spot just two weeks into training camp. Trent Brown is nursing an undisclosed injury, Cole Strange hasn’t practiced in a week and a half due to a lower leg injury, and Mike Onwenu has been on the PUP list all preseason while recovering from off-season ankle surgery.
Their only reliable offensive lineman is David Andrews. Because of this, they'll likely have to lean on the rookies Jake Andrews, Sidy Sow, and Atonio Mafi.
Given that their problems are at both guard and tackle, Sow is who I’ll have an eye on on Thursday. The 6-foot-5 mauler started 56 games over five seasons at Eastern Michigan along the entire offensive line. He's been repping at tackle this summer, as director of player personnel Matt Groh alluded to in his post-draft press conference.
6 - WR Tank Dell, Texans
While rookie wide receiver Tank Dell is just 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, he's an incredible athlete who shined at the University of Houston.
The pass catcher put up 1,300+ yards and 12+ touchdowns in each of his final two seasons at the U of H, and was rewarded for it by becoming a second-round pick for the Texans this past May.
Dell is competing for playing time in a receiver room with Metchie, Nico Collins, and Robert Woodsm so Thursday's game in Foxborough will be the start of his push for regular season snaps.
5 - WR Kayshon Boutte, Patriots
The Patriots drafted two wide receivers in the sixth round 2023 NFL Draft, the first of which was LSU product Kayshon Boutte.
Once thought of as a surefire first-round pick, Boutte struggled during the latter part of his career in Baton Rouge and wound up as a high-ceiling/low-floor prospect. When New England took the proverbial dart throw in May, many thought it could be the steal of the draft.
Despite a slow start to training camp, Boutte has come on strong over the last week highlighted by a one-handed, Odell Beckham Jr.-type touchdown catch. He’ll likely see a good chunk of playing time on Thursday night where he'll look to keep his momentum going.
4 - LB/S Marte Mapu, Patriots
Speaking of potential draft steals, hybrid defender Marte Mapu already looks to be on the fast track to playing time after the Patriots selected him in the third round of the draft.
Mapu, though donning a red non-contact jersey this spring and summer due to a healing torn pectoral muscle, has been plugged directly into New England’s starting defense at linebacker and, despite his lighter frame, looks like the prototypical chess piece for Bill Belichick’s defense.
The former Sacramento State Hornet has also repped at safety with the second unit. Once he’s comfortable in both spots, the Patriots will spin the dial and line him up all over the formation. Thursday will be the beginning of that.
3 - QB C.J. Stroud, Texans
When quarterback Davis Mills and the Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts 32-21 in the final week of the 2022 regular season, it took them out of the running for the number one overall pick and Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
They went back to the well, however, and selected Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick. Stroud had a prolific career with the Buckeyes, compiling a 21-4 record while throwing for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns over two seasons as a starter.
According to Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, Stroud will start for the Texans on Thursday in Foxborough, giving the rookie his first chance to show not only why he was taken No. 2 overall, but why he should have been taken No. 1.
2 - WR Demario Douglas, Patriots
The second sixth-round wide receiver the Patriots selected in this year’s draft was Demario Douglas out of Liberty - and he's been the talk of New England’s training camp.
The 5-foot-8 pass catcher has shown off his crafty route-running, shiftiness, and ability to get open against NFL-caliber defensive backs over the last two weeks, and has already seen plenty of action with starting quarterback Mac Jones.
There are always camp darlings, just look at Tre Nixon and Kristian Wilkerson over the last several years. The difference here? Once the pads came on, there has been no difference in production. In fact, Douglas looks to have gotten even better, putting his ability to avoid defenders and his sneaky potential as a blocker on full display.
All eyes will be on ‘Pop’ on Thursday.
1 - CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots
With question marks all over the Patriots’ cornerback room regarding Jack Jones’ legal situation, Jonathan Jones’ absence at practice, and Marcus Jones’ ability to play on the boundary, one thing has been a constant this summer: Christian Gonzalez is already penciled in as the Patriots’ CB1 - despite never stepping on an NFL game field.
That will all change on Thursday evening when the 6-foot-1 defender will make his debut. A former Oregon Duck, Gonzalez fell into New England’s lap at pick 17 of the 2023 NFL Draft, and his length, fluid hips, and ability to blanket receivers have made it impossible to not watch every rep he’s taken at Patriots practice.
He hasn’t been perfect, no one is, but even when he’s been beaten he’s still in position to make a play. While Gonzalez will likely only play a handful of reps, he'll be the focal point of each.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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