4 Patriots players sealed their fates in the final preseason game vs. the Titans

The final preseason game allows any and all players competing for a roster spot to have one last chance to prove why they deserve to make the team.

There was a lengthy list of Patriots that needed to impress on Friday night against the Titans; fortunately for some, they were able to accomplish that. At the same time, a few were unable to overcome their struggles and may have made Bill Belichick's decision on cut-down day a bit easier with their performances.

Four players, in particular, stood out the most in Tennessee. Whether for good or bad reasons, their efforts make it fair to assume what their future will most likely look like.

Calvin Munson

It appears the third time is the charm for Calvin Munson, as he likely solidified a spot on the Patriots' 53-man roster for the 2023 season after Friday night's performance.

During his first two stints in New England, his time as a Patriot didn't last long. He entered the final preseason game on the bubble and had much to prove to be strongly considered a worthy part of the team for the upcoming season. And fortunately for Munson, his perseverance seems to have paid off.

His late-summer performances in practice have certainly caught the eyes of coaches, and with the need for more reliable pieces on special teams and at linebacker, Munson brings the versatility that Belichick loves, as he can perform well in both units.

In the game against Tennessee, he led the defense with ten total tackles, which is impressive enough. But it was a few standout plays that made all the difference.

Early in the game, he forced the Titans to punt in the red zone as he bulldozed their running back, Julius Chestnut, for a loss of four yards. Then, later in the same quarter, Munson intercepted a pass intended for Josh Whyle, giving the Patriots the ball on the opposition's side of the field.

It was the perfect time to have the best outing of the summer and Munson did just that.

Bailey Zappe

Although he isn't necessarily competing for a roster spot, Bailey Zappe had a rough night in Tennessee and didn't appear as poised as he did playing in place of injured Mac Jones last season.

Heading into the start of the offseason program this year, there were a lot of unhappy Patriots fans demanding Belichick switch up the depth chart and make Zappe the QB1. Because he performed pretty well during his rookie season while Jones struggled before and after his ankle injury, fans and media members caught Zappe fever and clamored for the young quarterback to be the starter moving forward.

Much of that debate settled during the summer, as Jones performed like the very clear QB1, and Zappe hadn't made significant strides to outshine him. But his performance on Friday night may have finally ended all conversation regarding who should be the Patriots quarterback for the foreseeable future.

Since most of the starters were held out of the game entirely, Zappe played well into the fourth quarter, other than two drives when Trace McSorley was put in before halftime.

By the time his night was over, Zappe recorded 8/15 completions for 57 yards and three fumbles, two of which he recovered. He didn't look like the poised quarterback we saw last season, despite being thrown to the wolves essentially against a difficult team like the Packers in week four.

He was also sacked four times for a loss of 25 yards, which is more so the story here.

The offensive line has been a consistent problem throughout the offseason. Whether it be because of injury or their inconsistent pass protection, the unit has been one of the biggest concerns about the team as they prepare for the regular season.

Because most starters remained injured or did not play on Friday night, Zappe was surrounded by a struggling line that made his job much more complicated than usual. It's not an excuse, as some may call it. It's simply a fact that directly impacted how Zappe played.

At the same time, though, his overall performance since the spring into the final preseason game makes it evident that he still needs to develop into a more reliable and confident player to remain a valuable backup to the Patriots and the NFL.

Kayshon Boutte

Unlike some other names on this list, Kayshon Boutte's lack of availability on Friday night seems to indicate his status for the 2023 season will be as a member of the Patriots roster.

Throughout the summer, Boutte's performance kept him on the radar even while fellow rookie Demario Douglas was getting all the praise. As the weeks went on, though, Boutte began to take over the spotlight and impressed everyone with how he played against the Packers last week.

In Green Bay, he caught two passes for 49 yards, one of which was a 42-yard reception for a touchdown. The moment went viral online and had many around the league proclaiming the Patriots got a steal in the draft by selecting Boutte in the sixth round.

However, he couldn't follow up that performance with another impressive showing on Friday night. But because he was only in the game for one drive, his status for the season seems to be set already.

At this point in the offseason, just days away from the final roster cutdown, his limited usage would mean the coaches want to lower the risk of injury by keeping him off the field more than keeping him out to play. Since that is generally the case for most players vying for a roster spot, Boutte looks to have impressed the coaches enough to be firmly off the roster bubble heading into the weekend.

It's a significant jump from where he started this summer when most had begun to write him off, especially as Douglas dominated practice every day. The rookie's showings over the last few months may force the Patriots to carry six receivers, a problem they are lucky to have after what was projected for them earlier this year.

Andrew Stueber

Given the current roster of offensive linemen and the lack of depth at nearly all positions, it's difficult to believe Andrew Stueber's problematic outing against the Titans has ensured he won't make the final 53-man roster. But the Patriots may have to make that decision based on what they saw from the young tackle in the last two preseason games.

Playing as the left tackle, Stueber needed a good performance to move on from his mistakes last week against the Packers. Unfortunately, he did the complete opposite and actually had the same problem occur in Tennessee.

Last week, he gave up a strip sack when Mac Jones was in at quarterback, which the Packers took down the field for a touchdown on the following drive.

Against the Titans, Stueber gave up another strip-sack, this time with Bailey Zappe in at quarterback, resulting in the football being recovered at Tennessee's five-yard line. He also allowed a sack on 3rd and 10 for -5 yards.

It was anything but the impressive performance the 2022 draft pick needed. Unless something dramatic changes between now and August 29, all signs point to Stueber not making the roster and probably heading for the practice squad.