New England Patriots: Looking back at recent preseason standouts

Dion Lewis – RB – Pittsburgh

Few eyebrows were raised when Lewis, a four-year veteran, was signed to a futures contract in 2015. He was projected to be a camp body and nothing more. He also hadn’t played in an NFL game since 2012. Once he hit preseason and training camp the perception changed.

He started to play to his college form. His injuries had healed and he was electric in the passing and rushing game. He made the roster with ease but his injury problems continued. His 2016 play had deteriorated due to a knee injury suffered in 2015 and there were question marks over his ability to make the roster in 2017. His form appears to have returned and projects to be the primary backup behind Mike Gillislee.

TJ Moe – WR – Missouri

Moe was slated early in mini-camp to be in the reckoning to make the roster. He had outstanding production in his sophomore college year with 1,045 receiving yards and 12 Touchdowns. Moe is in a similar mold to Austin Carr, just short of 6 foot and 200lbs. The future looked bright but it was ended early in camp when he tore his Achilles in camp. He never recovered and was released. He signed with the Rams the following year but was cut early in preseason. Moe is now a podcast host based in St. Louis.