New England Patriots: 5 players to watch vs Detroit Lions

Here’s who to keep an eye on in the New England Patriots’ third preseason game.

The New England Patriots will visit the Detroit Lions for their third preseason game, on Friday. While offseason arrivals and returning starters become more involved in preseason play, the pressure has set in for those hoping to make the cut.

With less than two weeks remaining until the regular season, the clock is ticking for hopefuls to prove their value. Whether it’s by standing out as a substitute for another player or making a smart read on third down, there are still opportunities waiting to be ceased.

Even players with job security know that now is crunch time. This is the time they’ve been allotted to shake the rust off and climb the depth chart. Week 1 is just around the corner and coaches will take the hot hand in the preseason over the story from last year.

With the surplus of talent on the Patriots roster, there are several players worth keeping an eye on versus Detroit. From the starting running back spot to the last offensive linemen, question marks remain hovering over New England’s depth chart.

These are five Patriots to watch in Friday’s game as their performances shape the team’s roster going forward.