AP Photo/ Mark Stockwell
The Patriots will host the Carolina Panthers in the preseason opener tonight at Gillette Stadium.
It will be our first opportunity to see Drake Maye and the rookie class in action. It will also be our first look at Jerod Mayo as the coach of this team.
1. Drake Maye: The future face of the franchise has had an eventful training camp thus far. We have seen the good and the bad. Now we will get to see Maye cut it loose with no restrictions. He can get to play in a game and show Patriots fans what he is capable of. He also gets to do it against his childhood team growing up. Expect Maye to play a quarter.
2. Ja’Lynn Polk: The hope is that Polk can develop into Maye’s go to guy. I would expect the rookie wide receiver out of Washington to play at least a quarter tonight. Expect to see a good route runner who creates separation on breaks and has strong hands.
3. Caedan Wallace: Wallace got dinged up in Tuesday’s practice but he should be ready to go tonight. The Penn State rookie has primarily repped at left tackle so far in camp. Ideally he plays a half tonight and gets some much needed work on the left side. It would be good to see if he can play on that side and if he could be the future of the all important blindside protector.
4. Javon Baker: Baker has flashed big play potential at training camp and made some spectacular plays. The rookie out of UCF gives the Patriots the big play potential they have lacked in recent years. Look for him to play at least a quarter in this game. A couple of deep shots, especially in plus territory would be greatly appreciated.
5. Tyquan Thornton: It is not hyperbole to say that this is a make or break camp for Thornton. There is a glut of wide receivers and at most, the Patriots will carry six of them. Thornton is going to really have to pop in these preseason games if he wants to make this team. A good performance tonight could go a long way in helping his cause.
6. Vedarian Lowe: Lowe started eight games last season for the Patriots. He has played right and left tackle during his time with the team. He has primarily repped at left tackle thus far in camp and has looked good at times. Lowe will once again be counted on to provide depth and the way things are going right now, he could very well be the team’s starting left tackle if he somehow beats out Wallace. Expect him to get plenty of reps tonight.
7. Isaiah Bolden: Bolden has intriguing size, skill and versatility. He missed most of last season due to injury but if he can bounce back in this camp and make the team, he has the potential to contribute. Tonight is the first step towards him putting himself in a position to make an impact.
8. Dell Pettus: Pettus has had a good camp. He is versatile in that he can play in all three levels of the defense and he can play on special teams. He should get extended playing time tonight and that should give him a chance to prove that he can make this team. We all know how much of a premium the Patriots place on versatile safeties. Pettus is proving he is one thus far in camp.
9. Layden Robinson: The rookie guard out of Texas A&M has repped at left and right guard and has held his own. Robinson has length and he looks like can anchor down and block thicker interior defensive lineman. He has a pathway to playing time at left guard and if he makes a favorable impression tonight, he could get more reps moving forward.
10. Joe Milton: Milton has been impressive at times in training camp while at other times, he has thrown rocket balls and looks like he lacks accuracy. Milton has size and a ton of ability but he needs a lot of work. Expect him to play a quarter tonight. He needs the work and he could be fun to watch. Does he do the back flip if he throws a touchdown pass? We will find out later. I expect a Michael Bishop, Malik Cunningham type of excitement from the fans when he enters the game.