6 more Patriots players to watch in the 2021 preseason opener

Author Matt Dolloff

August 12th, 2021 1:28 PM

It’s “peepers peeled” season for the Patriots. Looking for some flashes in the lashes. Thinking about our scruples with our pupils.

Enough about the eye rhymes, for now. Thursday marks the 2021 preseason debut for the Patriots, who take on the Washington Football Team at Gillette Stadium. There should be plenty to watch for throughout the game, including some intriguing rookies like running back Rhamondre Stevenson and kicker Quinn Nordin, who should see their share of playing time in the second half.

But what about the first half? We may only get a brief glimpse of the starters Thursday night, but that group includes several new faces on both sides of the ball. In addition, there are some players who have had strong training camps and are looking for that to translate to real games.

Some of these names to keep your peepers peeled are obvious. But they may not be so obvious to those who haven’t had the privilege of watching them perform at a high level in camp. So let’s get up to speed with some promising players who have a chance to make a real impact on the Patriots’ improved roster in 2021…

• LB Matt Judon

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  The Patriots' free-agent signings on offense may get more of the headlines around town, but Judon has a chance to make the biggest impact of them all. He's coming off a Pro-Bowl season in Baltimore and has made his presence felt in training camp with his pure power off the edge. It's time to see if he can parlay his camp into a real game against the WFT's starting offense.
  
  By the sound of it, Judon is going to give it a full effort - and doesn't want reporters to go easy on him, just because the game doesn't count in the standings.
  
  “With any football game, we’re going to have reporters there. Y’all are going to report what y’all see," Judon said after practice on Tuesday. "If I come out there and look sloppy, that’s what y’all are going to report and that’s what y’all should report. Y’all shouldn’t preface it with, ‘Well, but it was preseason.’ So, when I come out here, I have to do my job and I have to perform well. I think everybody on the defense is going to take that mindset and when we come out here, we have to look as a unit, as a team.”

• TE Jonnu Smith

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  Smith was already tabbed to be a major piece of the Patriots' quest to field a more productive offense than they've had in the prior three seasons. And with Hunter Henry out due to injury, he's likely to see an even bigger role in the offense than previously thought.
  
  If the projected starters only play one series, and the quarterback only makes one pass, Smith should be considered the most likely choice to get the target. He was already a projected starter in two-tight end sets, and now he's the clear No. 1 as the lone tight end in "11" personnel.
  
  Don't be shocked if Smith makes his first catch as a Patriot in a "real" game on Thursday night. And keep your peepers peeled for his ability after the catch.

• LB Josh Uche

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  The second-year pro out of Michigan has looked like the fastest player on the field in training camp, certainly on the defensive side.
  
  It's been obvious that Uche worked on his pass-rush moves in the offseason, and it's led to excellent performances in 1-on-1 drills against blockers. He also logged what would've been a sack in Cam Newton's most recent red zone 11-on-11 session, on a play that also resulted in an interception.
  
  Will that performance in practice translate to a real game against another team? Uche has certainly looked like the team's top candidate to make the vaunted "second-year jump," and if he does, he'll be a valuable piece for a vastly improved front-seven.
• WR N’Keal Harry

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  Will they take a deep shot for Harry? And will he make the play? Harry has put on a show in many training camp practices this summer - in 1-on-1 drills against a Patriots cornerback group that's been without Stephon Gilmore.
  
  Harry has definitely made a number of dazzling catches in his own right, regardless of who's been covering him. But he hasn't been as impressive in 11-on-11. How does he perform if he has a chance to catch balls in the short-to-intermediate areas, with a starting cornerback on him, fighting through traffic? That's going to be the real test for Harry, because we already knew he could make plays in a 1-on-1 jump-ball situation.
  
  Another thing to watch for with Harry: how much does he play? If he gets an extended look on offense well into the second half, that could mean that he's truly fighting for his job at this point in his Patriots career. He needs to start making plays in actual football games, and Thursday represents his first chance.

• S Adrian Phillips

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  One could argue that Phillips has been the Patriots' best player in training camp. Not just the best starter, not just the best defensive player. The best, period.
  
  Phillips has consistently covered tightly and made plays against the Patriots' high-priced tight ends. He made an interception on a Newton pass intended for Jonnu Smith in the most recent competitive 11-on-11 drills, and broke up another pass that was for a touchdown bid. He looks like a different player now that he has a full season in New England under his belt, and can focus on reacting rather than thinking when he's on the field.
  
  “Yeah, I think the main thing is just being in the system a year longer," Phillips said recently. "Last year I was kind of - I wouldn't say 'training wheels' program - but I was still trying to learn everything, probably like halfway during the season. I was still trying to learn everything. So now, with it being the new year, I'm a lot more comfortable, the calls are coming a lot more quicker, a lot more easier. And it's just - I feel comfortable. It's great.”

• DT Davon Godchaux

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  The Patriots should have an improved run defense and overall defensive interior in 2021, and Godchaux figures to be a huge part of that - literally.
  
  Bill Belichick hasn't had a traditional nose tackle in a while, and Godchaux looks primed for that role. He's looked solid clogging up the point of attack against the run in camp, and he's also batted a couple of pass attempts at the line.
  
  Godchaux may not be the pass-rusher that Adam Butler was, but he represents a real upgrade against the run, which is an area that needed a lot of improvement after 2020. And since Washington is likely to call some basic run plays early in Thursday's game, Godchaux has a chance to take center stage trying to stuff them.

MORE: Cam Newton, Mac Jones both playing in Patriots’ preseason opener

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at [email protected].

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Author Matt Dolloff

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Adrian Phillips,davon godchaux,josh uche,Matt Dolloff,Matt Judon,n'keal harry,New England Patriots,NFL