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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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A.J. Derby Patriots roster
Aug 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end A.J. Derby (86) gets tackled by Chicago Bears outside linebacker Jonathan Anderson (58) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

3 ripple effects of Pats trading for Barkevious Mingo

The first half of last Friday night’s preseason game in Carolina saw Derby getting plenty more action than the veteran.

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

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