The New England Patriots will have their “dress rehearsal” preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday. Yes, that means it is Week 3 of the preseason. Though starters will see an uptick in snaps, not many are looking at Tom Brady to prove something in the preseason. Yet, there are a few key players to watch; here are three (in no particular order).
And no, Josh Gordon isn't playing.
3. Jarret Stidham – QB
It's a Jarret Stidham world, and we are all living in it. The fourth-round pick, hailing from Auburn, has quickly made a name for himself in the preseason. Over two weeks of play, the rookie has completed 28 of his 43 attempts for 372 yards and two touchdowns. That would equal a passer rating of 107.9.
Stidham's preseason has been impressive by all accounts. He's made correct throws, shown an accurate and strong enough arm, and he looks confident in the Patriots system. Even head coach Bill Belichick is impressed:
“I think Stidham has a good arm,” Belichick said, via Kevin Duffy of the Boston Herald. “I think he throws the ball accurately. I think he has shown that all the way through from Baylor to Auburn to his pro day and his spring workouts.”
Stidham should continue to see heavy snaps throughout the preseason, since the Patriots don't need to see much out of Brady. What he can do with a few more weeks of televised football is to solidify himself as the heir apparent to an immortal quarterback.
2. Jake Bailey – P
A punter? Who's going to watch a preseason game for a punter? Well, if you support the Patriots, you should. Why? On Monday, the team released longtime punter Ryan Allen (a three-time Super Bowl champion) in favor of Jake Bailey, whom the Patriots used a fifth-round pick on.
Bailey has won the punting battle, despite booting only two balls in the preseason. Those two punts were impressive; one went for 45 yards, the other for 54. What the Patriots and their faithful will be looking for: Bailey proving that an Allen release was a correct move.
1. Isaiah Wynn – LT
2018 first-round pick Isaiah Wynn figured to be the Patriots' starting left tackle on day one after Nate Solder left in free agency the same offseason. That didn't happen. The former Bulldog tore his Achilles in his second-ever preseason game. The Patriots then inserted Trent Brown at the position and watched him flourish there.
The hope is that with Wynn back in the lineup, the Patriots' offensive line won't skip a beat. For virtually a rookie — in terms of regular-season ball — those are high expectations.
Wynn hasn't played much in the first two games of the preseason. The Patriots held him out of the first, then played him for 19 snaps in the second, per SB Nation. On Thursday, he'll likely see an uptick in snaps; he'll have to prove that he can (a) handle them and (b) do well.
Wynn isn't the flashiest name — considering he's an offensive lineman — but he's vital to what the Patriots do factoring in their lack of depth at the position. If he shows on Thursday that he's 100% healthy from the Achilles tear, the Patriots may have a new franchise left tackle who will start Week 1.
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