Patriots roster: 21 bubble players to watch tomorrow

Aug 11, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Tyler Gaffney (36)runs for a touchdown during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Tyler Gaffney (36)runs for a touchdown during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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A.J. Derby Patriots roster
Aug 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end A.J. Derby (86) makes the catch against Chicago Bears outside linebacker Jonathan Anderson (58) in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

15. A.J. Derby

Perhaps the biggest story out of training camp this summer has been the standout play of Derby. He’s not going to explode in the fantasy football world by any means, as Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett head the depth chart, but Derby is pushing veteran Clay Harbor for the No. 3 tight end job. There probably isn’t room for both Derby and Harbor, so the last throws of preseason are vital for both of them.

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14. Clay Harbor

After missing the beginning of training camp, Harbor has largely been in catch-up mode, but he has still shown well nonetheless. What makes Harbor perhaps more desirable than Derby is the fact that he is a proven entity; the Patriots know what they are going to get with the journeyman tight end, and that’s a dependable pair of veteran hands. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out between these two in the coming days and weeks.

Next: 13. Geneo Grissom