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5 Patriots roster battles to watch in preseason Week 4

By Connor Fulton

Aug 11, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Tyler Gaffney (36) runs past the tackle of New Orleans Saints free safety Vonn Bell (48) for a touchdown during the second half 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 past the tackle of New Orleans Saints free safety Vonn Bell (48) for a touchdown during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tyler Gaffney Patriots roster
Aug 11, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Tyler Gaffney (36) runs past the tackle of New Orleans Saints free safety Vonn Bell (48) for a touchdown during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

The New England Patriots roster now holds 75 members as we enter the final preseason game.

Here are five Patriots roster battles to watch tonight as the Patriots near final decision time.

5. Tyler Gaffney vs. D.J. Foster

With Donald Brown cut and Dion Lewis residing on the PUP list to start the year, the Patriots are very likely going to take either Gaffney or Foster onto the final roster to join LeGarrette Blount, James White, Brandon Bolden and James Develin. Both players have never seen a regular season NFL game; Gaffney has missed back-to-back seasons due to injury, and Foster is a rookie.

6 takeaways from the preseason so far

Gaffney brings more ball carrying potential, as he has been the second-best between-the-tackles running back this preseason (after Blount, of course). Meanwhile, Foster offers threat as a receiver out of the backfield, much like Lewis. If the Patriots deem Foster’s catching ability to be more important than the dependability of Gaffney’s running, then they will take a flyer on the undrafted rookie, but for now…

Edge: Gaffney

Next: 4. Martin vs. Harper vs. Carter

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