1. The Patriots will have a few difficult decisions when it comes to finalizing their 53-man roster by Aug. 31, and it’s not out of the question to see a player potentially get traded. A few players come to mind, including Stephon Gilmore, Chase Winovich, N’Keal Harry and Sony Michel. Gilmore is still on PUP following quad surgery at the very end of last year, but the biggest thing with him right now is his contract. He doesn’t want to play for $7 million and if the two sides really are far apart when it comes to a new deal, perhaps trading him is the next best option. Currently, we don’t see this being likely, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on. And in case you’re wondering, a player on PUP can in fact be traded. Winovich is another player to monitor as the Patriots are loaded when it comes to edge rushers and the third-year player could be better suited for another defense with a different scheme. Since the Patriots are so deep at the position, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to make a few calls around the league because it feels like they could get something decent in return. The same situation applies to Michel, as running back may be the deepest position on the entire roster. If they believe they can count on rookie Rhamondre Stevenson and J.J. Taylor, trading Michel could make some sense, especially since he will be a free agent next offseason and they could get something for him instead of him just walking after the year. Since Harry requested a trade before training camp, he’s certainly on this list too, but it’s hard to trade a player who is injured. A trade in general isn't expected to go down, it just wouldn’t be a total shock to see one happen.
2. Speaking of Harry, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports he will be out four weeks with a shoulder injury suffered against the Eagles, which certainly complicates things with the receiver. It’s hard to see a team wanting to trade for an injured player and that isn’t the only question with him. Do the Patriots keep him on the 53-man roster and then put him injured reserve? Does he take up a roster spot injured to open the year? Do they just flat out release him? Things will be interesting, as it certainly isn’t a straight-forward decision.
3. The regular season is just three weeks away and it seems at some point in the coming days/week, the Patriots need to commit to a starting quarterback because the priority will be getting him ready for the regular season. To this point, Cam Newton has done everything that the starter would do, but that doesn’t mean Mac Jones is out of the running for the job. But, if Newton continues to be treated like the starter over the next week or so, it’s pretty hard to believe it won’t be him under center Sept. 12.
4. Where is Nick Folk? The veteran kicker hasn’t been on the field in roughly two weeks and at first it didn’t seem like a huge deal, especially with undrafted rookie Quinn Nordin behind him. But, after Nordin’s struggles in Thursday’s second preseason game, it’s pretty clear the Patriots need Folk for the regular season. Did you know he’s made 40 of his last 45 field goal attempts?
5. Penalties have been an issue for the Patriots in the two preseason games, but Bill Belichick doesn’t seem overly concerned. “Penalties are different in nature and we had five special teams penalties last week,” he said Friday morning. “Didn't have any on defense. Last night we had a couple on defense, so different guys and so forth. I think it's really, sometimes concentration, sometimes it's a learning experience. Just a couple of calls there that probably need a little further explanation on, just to make sure that we're teaching and doing the right things based on what the officials are seeing. I've had a lot of good conversations with the officials and then attempt to have a consistency between what they see, what's permissible, what isn't and how we're coaching it, what the players are doing, so we'll just continue to work through that process.”
6. Rosters need to be trimmed once again by Tuesday afternoon, this time going from 85 players to 80. This is the final roster cut down before 53-man rosters need to be finalized by Aug. 31. It is interesting the league has teams go from 90 to 85, 85 to 80 and then all the way down to 53. This was something new this year and we’ll see if it’s something the league continues with.
7. This is a big week for the Patriots, as they will have two practices before two joint sessions against the Giants at Gillette Stadium Wednesday and Thursday. This is all before next Sunday’s preseason finale at MetLife Stadium. One would expect the two joint practices to be very competitive and have a lot of intensity, especially considering the style of play Joe Judge has brought to New York. It will be interesting to see how much playing time the starters get come next Sunday with all the work they will likely get this week.