3. AJ. Derby vs. Clay Harbor
When the Patriots signed Harbor in free agency, the general consensus was that the veteran tight end would serve as a perfect No. 3 guy behind monstrous tight end duo Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett. However, Derby has had one hell of a preseason, making his presence felt on a weekly basis by snagging balls in traffic. Derby spent the entirety of his rookie year on injured reserve; the Arkansas product is making up for lost time.
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The first half of last Friday night’s preseason game in Carolina saw Derby getting plenty more action than the veteran.
1H #NEvsCAR TE snaps (of 34)
— Louie Benjamin (@PFF_Louie) August 27, 2016
A.J. Derby 21
Marty Bennett 20
Clay Harbor 5@PFF
The way things are going, it is getting increasingly easier to say that Derby will make the final Patriots roster. Such a decision would mark a shift in Bill Belichick’s treatment of the Derby family come cut time; Belichick released Derby’s father John when he was coach of the Cleveland Browns back in the 1990s.
Edge: Derby
Next: 2. Grugier-Hill vs. Roberts