Patriots depth on display in preseason opener

New England kicks off its preseason at Gillette Stadium on Friday night.

Patriots depth on display in preseason opener against Commanders

The Patriots open their preseason schedule at Gillette Stadium on Friday night against the Washington Commanders. After 12 training camp practices, healthy players are expected to see game action, but head coach Mike Vrabel has signaled limited reps for quarterback Drake Maye and the starting offense as the team tests its depth. The Commanders are expected to keep their starters on the sideline for much of the night.

The focus Friday will be on 10 players listed as notable prospects for evaluation. In the wide receiver room, Javon Baker, Efton Chism III and Ja’Lynn Polk are in the mix for a likely sixth roster spot, with Baker and Chism shown as the front-runners and Polk facing a tougher climb after an injury return. On the offensive line, Will Campbell and Jared Wilson will make their first live-action appearance on the left side, with Marcus Bryant contending for depth behind them as a swing tackle option. At the edge, Elijah Ponder and Truman Jones will push to impress after solid summer showings, while D.J. James has emerged as a standout at cornerback as the team adjusts to starters being out. Special teams and kicking duty will be represented by Andy Borregales, who will look to convert from the outset.

This game emphasizes depth over star power, a hallmark of early preseason work. The Patriots are leaning on a mix of young talent and positional competition to build a more flexible roster ahead of the regular season. Campbell and Wilson getting live reps at left tackle and guard signals a longer-term bet on internal development rather than quick fixes. Ponder and Jones are betting on speed and technique to turn heads in a crowded edge group. If Baker, Chism or Polk find a rhythm, the team could reframe the late stages of August cuts as a merit-based sprint rather than a clearance process. In short, Friday is less about a win and more about answers for September.

The exercise also carries risk: overvaluing practice performance or reading too much into vanilla game plans could mislead how players translate to real games. Still, the preseason sets the tone for competition and the roster-building philosophy heading into the season, highlighting where the Patriots expect growth and where they may need to supplement through trades or signings later in the year.

Highlights

What this game starts may shape the Patriots depth for September.