Which 5 Patriots players have had the best training camp?

5. Chase Winovich

It was only one preseason game against a bad Detroit Lions team, but last Thursday’s 31-3 victory still proved one thing for certain: concerns over the lack of an effective Patriots pass rush may have been greatly exaggerated and misplaced.

New England racked up nine sacks and eight tackles for loss on the night against the Lions. Granted, Detroit was playing most of its second and third-string players on offense, but the Pats weren’t exactly putting their top defensive unit out on the field either. Both teams relied heavily on their subs and backups (as would be expected in the first week of the preseason), but the Patriots’ subs and backups – especially on defense – were frankly phenomenal.

Among those making an early splash was rookie Chase Winovich. The long-blonde-haired pass rusher went to college in Ann Arbor, so the game represented a homecoming of sorts for him. He didn’t disappoint any fans of Big Blue at Ford Field either, tallying three tackles and a sack-and-a-half before all was said and done for the evening.

Winovich has been outstanding in joint practices with the Lions and Tennessee Titans, and he’s been just impressive when working up in Foxborough against the New England offense. If he can continue to illustrate the high motor and relentless attack that made him a draft-day target for the Pats last April, he could be in line for a major role on defense this fall when the regular season finally rolls around – particularly in critical third-down situations.