The New England Patriots carved out yet another preseason victory over the Minnesota Vikings, 20-12, on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Who stood out for better or worse?
I’m so glad you asked…
STUD: WR Efton Chism III (No. 86)
It’s hard to make a better case for a roster spot than Efton Chism III did on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis, Minn.
Chism finished the ballgame with six receptions and one score, including four grabs on the drive in which he found the end zone. The Patriots don’t necessarily need another slot receiver, but they found one and better roster him to make sure he doesn’t get scooped up by someone else.
Story continues below advertisement
It’s no longer a question, folks — the kid is here to stay.
STUD: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson (No. 44)
New England’s pass-rush unit has been sneakily dominant throughout the summer, and a major part of that overall success has been in part to having a legitimate difference-maker on the outside.
K’Lavon Chaisson has been exactly that, and chipped in on several hurries during the first quarter of this game.
Story continues below advertisement
It’s nice having a real player on the edge, and this guy should continue being that in obvious passing situations this season.
STUD: DL Isaiah Iton (No. 68)
You haven’t ever heard that name before reading it just now, have you?
Oh… you have?
Story continues below advertisement
Liar.
Isiah Iton has flown all the way under the radar this summer, but when you put together his body of work, it’s that of a legitimate rotational player.
The Patriots will almost certainly look to roster someone who can fill that inside-out role along the defensive front, and Iton has firmly supplanted himself as the best option above the likes of Joshua Farmer, Jahvaree Ritzie and Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Story continues below advertisement
DUD: QB Joshua Dobbs (No. 11)
Joshua Dobbs has been… bad.
Dobbs has completed 16-of-28 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns through two preseason contests, but major accuracy issues have put a real damper on everything he’s done to this point.
Kyle Williams will be the first to tell you, as he’ll likely miss some time after taking a brutal shot to the head on an errant pass Saturday.
Story continues below advertisement
It’s tough replacing a backup quarterback who is technically taking in more cash than your starter, but this simply can’t be the club’s best option entering the season.
STUD: EDGE Anfernee Jennings (No. 33)
Anfernee Jennings isn’t a defensive fit on paper, but he’s a damn good football player.
The Patriots are going to be uber-aggressive along the defensive front this season, and while that might not be his game, Jennings has quickly started to adapt to the overall plan.
Story continues below advertisement
It’s unlikely they’d outright cut him due to his contract, but continued performances like the one he just put up will not only keep him on the roster, but help him carve out a legitimate role.
DUD: K Andy Borregales (No. 36)
It’s almost time that we all have a serious discussion about Andy Borregales and John Parker Romo.
Borregales is a rookie who they just spent a sixth-round draft pick on, but he’s completely shanked a 57-yard attempt in this one, which is just the latest of his several poor tries from distance this summer.
Romo is a better option at this point, it just remains to be seen whether the club would be bold enough to choose him.
STUD: WR John Jiles (No. 83)
John Jiles is a nice little player, huh?
Jiles finished with four receptions — including two that moved the chains — in limited action. It’s unlikely he makes the roster, but putting good tape out there for other teams can’t hurt.
DUD: OL Jared Wilson (No. 58)
It’s no longer looking like two rookies will be tasked with protecting Drake Maye’s blindside.
Jared Wilson seemingly lost his spot in the starting rotation to Ben Brown, who will now bridge the gap between Garrett Bradbury and Will Campbell.
Wilson will continue as the second option at both left guard and center, but after a few practices where he looked like you couldn’t keep him out of the lineup, he’s firmly come back down to earth — despite a slight uptick in performance during this one.