Patriots vs. Saints: 6 Patriots players to watch

Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) following a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Patriots defeated the Saints 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) following a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Patriots defeated the Saints 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Kamu Grugier-Hill
Aug 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Gophers running back David Cobb (27) gets tackled in the first quarter by Eastern Illinois Panthers linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (32) at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kamu Grugier-Hill

Grugier-Hill has been flying around practice since the start of training camp, intercepting passes and making hustle plays. At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, he has intriguing length and speed capabilities, and the Patriots definitely want to find a way to fit him into their 2016 plans. However, Grugier-Hill must show well in the preseason games to ensure his spot on the active roster, as there are no shortage of special teams hopefuls competing alongside him.

8 most essential players on Patriots’ roster

Grugier-Hill’s versatility as a hybrid linebacker/safety should help to bolster his roster chances, of course. He resembles 2015 undrafted defensive back Brandon King in size as well as expertise; King went on to become Matthew Slater’s partner in crime covering punts. Might Grugier-Hill emulate the Auburn product? We’ll see.

Next: 1. Jonathan Jones