Preseason is a great time to keep starters sharp before the season and get a first look at rookies, but most importantly, it serves as an opportunity to evaluate players to fill out the roster. The Patriots have had the chance to do just that, and there have been some pleasant surprises that should stick around in New England in some aspect.
Efton Chism III is the most notable of that group, but cornerbacks like D.J. James and Miles Battle have made names for themselves this preseason, too.
Going into the preseason, the top portion of both the running back and tight end depth charts was full, and largely was predicted to remain that way until the season started. Rhamondre Stevenson is the bell cow back, and TreVeyon Henderson has been an explosive rookie. Antonio Gibson, who totaled 740 yards last year, offers a change of pace.
At tight end, Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper offered reliable safety blankets for Drake Maye last year. Each ranked in the top 24 in receiving yards, and the Patriots were the only team to have two tight ends in that range.
Patriots insider isn't so sure tight end and running back will be deep positions for the team this year
It was clear the team had talent in each position going into the season, but keeping just three running backs and two tight ends seems a bit extreme, and limits the offense. One injury in the game can lead to a running back playing a lot more than he's used to, and a traditional three-tight-end set wouldn't even be possible.
Nevertheless, Mike Reiss of ESPN predicts that the Patriots' final 53-man roster will be light at both positions.
In Reiss's eyes, none of the fringe players have done enough to finalize their push to make the squad. At running back, the unfortunate injury to UDFA Lan Larison ended his promising offseason, and the team may not feel there is a fourth player on the roster currently worth keeping. JaMycal Hasty and Terrell Jennings are the leading candidates for the RB4 spot, and each has their own merits to make the squad.
Hasty, soon to be 29, is a more experienced veteran and a special team player. He spent last year with the team and recently re-signed after being a free agent for most of the offseason. He took 11 carries against Minnesota, totaling 47 yards for 4.3 per carry.
Jennings, on the other hand, is younger, at 24. His six carries against the Commanders garnered 19 yards and a touchdown, and he certainly shows some real burst every time he touches the football. He's likely more of a practice squad candidate for the time being, but there would be reason to keep him as a depth piece given his age and potential.
The Patriots might not need much depth at tight end
The Patriots have a plethora of tight ends behind the aforementioned Henry and Hooper, and none have shown any transcendent ability in the preseason. After fullback Brock Lampe was placed on IR, the team turned to Jack Westover to play the hybrid TE/FB role, which he excelled at in Week 1 of the preseason, having key lead blocks for touchdowns for both Lan Larison and Terrell Jennings.
Cole Fotheringham, 27, signed on July 30 and has primarily featured as a fullback when Westover has been in a more traditional tight end role. 2024 seventh-round pick Jaheim Bell has been disappointing: the 24-year-old hasn't had the preseason that many fans hoped.
Given the lack of burst shown by the backups at either position, Reiss's point has validity, albeit slim, at both positions. He suggests the team retain Hasty on their practice squad as an experienced reserve.
Further, he suggests the team opts to play the numbers game at tight end: keep several on the practice squad and elevate whoever is playing best. Westover and Fotheringham would both be the best options given their fullback acumen, but Bell would also play that role, where he featured at times in '24.
If the team were to be more slim at running back and tight end, it would offer the opportunity for the team to keep an extra player or two at a position in which they already might have solid depth. Players like Kendrick Bourne, Cole Strange, and Dell Pettus could certainly benefit in the event they go light, so the construction of the final roster will certainly be interesting. The team must cut down to 53 by Tuesday, August 26, at 4:00 p.m.