Training camp is an open competition every year, and even veteran players can lose their jobs to rookies who have the passion and determination to make the team.
The New England Patriots had several players who were considered easy cuts when they first joined the team, but with the cut deadline looming just days away, they changed their minds.
Coach Jerrod Mayo doesn’t have the best roster in the league, but he does have a competitive team that is doing its best to establish itself.
Here are six of the most surprising players who could make the Patriots’ 53-man roster.
The Patriots have a big problem at running back if Rhamondre Stevenson is sidelined with an injury. Antonio Gibson is primarily viewed as a third-down back and Kevin Harris is not an experienced primary running back.
That could open up an opportunity for a versatile veteran rusher like JaMychal Hastie to make the roster. Alex Van Pelt’s offense is characterized by high involvement from running backs, and the Patriots might benefit from having four players at the position.
Kayshon Boutte faces an uphill battle to make the final roster, but he has done a great job of giving the coaching staff something to think about.
The team would love to keep him on the practice squad, but he may not get the opportunity. He led the Patriots in receiving yards through the first two preseason games, including three receptions for 53 yards in the season opener against the Carolina Panthers, so there’s enough there to at least be some consideration for him.
Vedrian Lowe is currently injured, but prior to his injury he was expected to play extensively as the top left tackle on the roster, which is quite a surprise considering very few people expected him to make the roster at the start of training camp.
Chukwuma Okorafor has been filling in at left tackle in Lowe’s absence, but should return once Lowe is healthy. That’s the situation on the Patriots’ offensive line, where they don’t have many options.
Trysten Hill has been making the most of practice with star defensive tackle Christian Barmore out indefinitely, and the Patriots are likely looking to rotate as many fresh players as possible behind Davon Godchaux. Hill has proven he can hold up against the run attack and apply pressure up the middle.
Joe Giles-Harris is the epitome of a ball hacker for New England. He blocked numerous passes in training camp and two in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. His production on the field should make him a strong contender for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Del Pettas has been one of the biggest surprises for the Patriots. The undrafted rookie recorded 10 combined tackles in the first two preseason games and has been prolific in training camp, an impressive feat considering the huge struggles he’s faced from the get-go. For Pettas, this is truly the beginning of an underdog story.