With the second preseason game in the books, the early version of the Patriots’ roster is beginning to take shape.
Position battles are heating up, with undrafted rookies making cases for the roster, draft picks seizing starting jobs, and veterans fighting to get off the bubble.
Now that I’ve watched the tape, here are my answers to some of the top questions following New England’s 20-12 win over the Vikings.
Is Efton Chism a Roster Lock?
After questions over whether he could force the Patriots to keep seven receivers, Efton Chism came out of Vikings week looking like the Patriots’ best receiver. He dominated joint practices, getting open in 1-on-1 and team drills and catching just about everything thrown his way. That streak only got hotter in Saturday’s preseason game.
Chism served as the “Z” or flanker in two-receiver sets and a slot in three-receiver sets, often going in motion to help identify coverages pre-snap. This is a premier role that Julian Edelman and Jakobi Meyers previously held in Josh McDaniels‘ offense. While Chism has yet to make the same impact as a run blocker, he’s proven to be a reliable short-intermediate target capable of making his own yards.
All six of Chism’s targets came over the middle, creating opportunities to show off his play strength and contact balance. Most of Chism’s grabs came on crossing routes. These included a shallow where he drew a defensive facemask penalty, an over off play action where he snuck behind zone coverage, and a pair of 3rd down conversions specifically meant for him. Chism also powered through multiple Vikings on a 3rd down sit route and would’ve scored on another if not for a dropping edge defender.
Efton Chism's targets vs the Vikings
Joshua Dobbs twice checked to man-beaters on 3rd down with Chism as the primary read pic.twitter.com/CkDDHYuilL
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) August 17, 2025
At this point, I doubt the question is whether the Eastern Washington product will make the roster. The question is when he’ll start challenging veterans for snaps with and looks from Drake Maye.
Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins are currently the Patriots’ top Z receivers, and DeMario Douglas is entrenched as the starting slot, which has made working Chism into the rotation difficult. But while all three veterans are virtual locks who’ve flashed this summer, Diggs and Hollins have been inconsistent, and Douglas’ smaller stature hurts him on Drake Maye’s more erratic throws.
Chism has excelled at the catch-point, and at 5’10”, he’s a bigger target than the 5’8″ Douglas with more upside as a blocker. Working against starters more consistently could reveal shortcomings in Chism’s game, but he’s earned more opportunities to prove he can hold his own.
Who Should Play Left Guard?
Mike Vrabel told reporters after the game that the left guard competition is still undecided. He also didn’t put a deadline on when a final five line grouping would be established. The Patriots cycled through several players at left guard, which coincided with different combinations at center and left tackle.
Ben Brown got the start against the Vikings after taking over for an injured Jared Wilson during the second joint practice.
Ben Brown at LG next to Will Campbell
Held up well in pass pro, but was pretty boom-or-bust as a run blocker pic.twitter.com/rr4JXXnE4e
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) August 17, 2025
As a pass blocker, Brown stood his ground when isolated, found work when uncovered, and quickly identified stunts. He had positive moments as a run blocker, executing strong outside zone combos with Will Campbell, including a key block on TreVeyon Henderson’s touchdown, and helping Garrett Bradbury open a huge hole inside Henderson’s 3rd & 10 conversion. But Brown also struggled to sustain run blocks on his own, got tripped up on an outside zone combo with Bradbury, and appeared to miss his assignment on a run stuff.
When the top backups came in, Brown bumped to center with Wilson replacing him at guard. The rookie also spent a handful of snaps between Cole Strange and Vederian Lowe later in the game.
Every snap Jared Wilson took at LG vs the Vikings, which included two different line combinations pic.twitter.com/XgKsLtvfZN
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) August 17, 2025
Wilson had more positive reps than he did against the Commanders, particularly as a run blocker. He threw a solid block on outside zone to Antonio Gibson, climbed to the second level on power to JaMycal Hasty, and notched his second pancake in as many weeks. He also showed consistent awareness when faced with line games. Wilson did block too far downfield on his first snap (wasn’t called), gave up quick pressure after having his hands knocked down, and wound up on the ground twice. However, given the mistakes were correctable and he was playing through an injury, it was a step in the right direction.
Cole Strange took over after two series with Wilson sliding to center. I thought Strange was the most consistent of the top three left guards, and Wilson looked back at home in the middle.
Cole Strange at LG between C Jared Wilson and LT Vederian Lowe
Thought Strange bounced back well after some rough moments vs the Commanders and in joint practices pic.twitter.com/vdBelCgWeu
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) August 17, 2025
Strange’s trademark athleticism and finish continue to stand out. He also held up in areas where he’s struggled (albeit in a very limited sample size), anchoring against power and sniffing out stunts and blitzers in his area. There were a pair of outside zone combos where Strange fell off late, but he threw a strong chip on the second to help open a lane.
Wilson shined at center, getting out in front of tackles on outside zone, staying latched to his assignments, and showing impressive recovery ability and awareness in protection.
Caedan Wallace and Mekhi Butler entered the left guard mix later in the game. Wallace was put on skates at times, but he had physical second-level blocks on an outside zone carry and a screen. Butler regressed after flashing late against the Commanders, struggling against length and to his corners.
Moving forward, I’d like to see more of the Wilson-Strange permutation at center and left guard. Neither Bradbury or Brown have proven to be starting-caliber players this summer, and Wilson already has elite center potential. If Strange builds some solid chemistry with Will Campbell and keeps cutting down on mental errors, New England could field an elite outside zone unit.
Wallace’s continued growth is worth monitoring, as he’d be the best case scenario long-term. That said, he’s been a backup all summer and is adjusting to life inside.
Is There Hope for Anfernee Jennings and Kyle Dugger?
One year after being signed to significant extensions, Anfernee Jennings and Kyle Dugger have found themselves on the roster bubble as true backups.
Jennings served as the fifth edge defender behind in Harold Landry, Keion White, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Truman Jones, all of whom offer more upside as pass rushers and, when necessary, coverage players.
Anfernee Jennings (#33) pass rushing vs the Vikings
Gave RT Leroy Watson hell after flipping sides late in the game pic.twitter.com/S1Q8Lu5Cmv
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) August 17, 2025
Jennings deserves credit for setting a career-high with three sacks in Minnesota, but his rush success came exclusively against third-string right tackle Leroy Watson. The edge defender was quiet against backup left tackle Henry Byrd, and he was a late to diagnose a screen thrown to his side for a chunk gain.
Jennings is still a quality role player capable of wrecking opposing ground games. He can also win as a rusher on occasion with power, inside rips, and pure effort. Teams looking to boost their run defense could come calling as roster cuts near, but upon further review, I’m not sure Jennings did enough to change his fate in Foxborough.
Dugger’s future is less clear. Despite Jabrill Peppers not playing against the Vikings, Dugger received zero reps with the starters and was the third safety behind Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson.
Dugger was active against the run as a box defender, and he chased down a screen from the backside of the play. His interception was a gimme, and he’s gotta do a better job securing the ball. But credit to the veteran for capitalizing and getting down before he was stripped.
The main issue is that Dugger’s range and change of direction don’t match that of the players above him. He looks hesitant when quickly redirecting and doesn’t show the click-close to be a punishing downhill presence from depth. Missing all of spring may also have hurt his ability to gain the coach’s trust.
If New England hangs on to Dugger, which feels unlikely given his usage, keeping him close to the line of scrimmage is the best way maximize what ability he has left.