LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: Quarterback Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders
during the first half of a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)The New England Patriots lost 23-6 to the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday night in the 2022 preseason finale at Allegiant Stadium. Here’s who we graded “Up” or “Down” based on their performance in the game, but not necessarily based on their chances of making or not making the 53-man roster…
UP: WR Kendrick Bourne
Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (48) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Bourne made only two catches, but one of them was as huge as a preseason catch can be, a fourth-down grab through a tight window from Mac Jones. The play wasn’t a big deal so much in the context of the game itself, but in Bourne’s status with Jones and the offense. In a preseason version of a “gotta-have-it” play, Jones looked Bourne’s way and they connected.
After a mostly rough summer, Bourne seemed to finish strong in both joint practices and the game against the Raiders. He was also targeted on Mac Jones’ first-quarter interception, but that play was more the quarterback’s fault. Speaking of that…
DOWN: QB Mac Jones
Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, chaotic coaching and subpar offensive line play appear to be doing Jones no favors. But a third-down sack on the opening drive was on Jones, as he danced right into it when he could’ve been safe standing still. And the interception on the following drive was certainly a bad mistake for Jones, who appeared to straight-up miss linebacker Luke Masterson spying him over the middle. Jones clawed back to make a few good throws on the Pats’ last two drives, but it wasn’t enough to undo the early miscues.
Jones rarely looked comfortable in the pocket, and part of that was definitely due to a sometimes-leaky line in front of him. But he’s also looked unnecessarily sped up at times, too, which has led to bailouts or mistakes. He needs to have better poise when things aren’t going so bad, especially if players around him are going to have real breakdowns on other plays. If he wants to be a legitimate franchise quarterback, he needs to be better under pressure and make up for the Patriots’ flaws.
UP: RB Rhamondre Stevenson
Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) runs the ball as Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (40) defends in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Stevenson sometimes fell victim to blocking struggles in the Patriots’ new zone-based scheme, but made the most of what he had to work with in front of him. Five carries for 22 yards (4.4-yard average) is beyond respectable when you consider what’s going on with the line right now. With Damien Harris possibly nursing an injury to start the season, and Ty Montgomery getting carted off Friday night with potentially something serious, Stevenson is going to be counted on in a lot of different situations. He looks ready for the challenge.
DOWN: OL Michael Onwenu
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 19: Mike Onwenu #71 of the New England Patriots walks off the field after the preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on August 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 35-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Onwenu is a good player when utilized to his strengths, but he doesn’t seem like an ideal fit for a zone blocking scheme. He got straight up beat in both the running and passing games, and committed a drive-killing holding penalty on the first play of the Pats’ second possession. Barring a surprise move, Onwenu is still locked in as a starter on the offensive line, but it’s fair to wonder if the schematic changes are putting him in position to succeed.
UP: LB Raekwon McMillan
HENDERSON, NEVADA – AUGUST 23: Linebacker Raekwon McMillan #46 of the New England Patriots walks on a field during a joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on August 23, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Having missed the entire previous season with an ACL injury, McMillan has to be as excited as anyone on the Patriots to get back on the field for a real game. He made three first-quarter tackles in time with the starters, including two on consecutive plays, stopping Raiders running back Brittain Brown for no gain then corralling him by the leg in the open field. The Patriots’ linebacking corps may still have its share of questions entering the season, but they’re faster and more explosive than the 2020 and 2021 groups, and should be improved against the run. McMillan will factor into that.
DOWN: LB Jahlani Tavai
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: Running back Brittain Brown #38 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs for a 3-yard touchdown against linebacker Jahlani Tavai #48 and defensive end Jeremiah Pharms Jr. #72 of the New England Patriots during their preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 23-6. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Patriots continue to give Tavai looks with the starters, and opponents continue to pick on him. He’s got the kind of size Bill Belichick likes at the position, but he ranks well down the depth chart in terms of speed and athleticism. He certainly shouldn’t be counted on to cover tight ends or running backs in the passing game, at this point. But Belichick does seem to like Tavai, so there’s a chance he’s still on the 53-man roster, as they continue to look for ways to use him.
UP: LB Anfernee Jennings
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: Wide receiver DJ Turner #19 of the Las Vegas Raiders is tackled by the New England Patriots defenders during the first half of a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
One of the pleasant surprises of the summer, Jennings looks poised to make a real jump in his third year with the Patriots. Jennings made a sack and two tackles in the game, but this was far from a one-night thing. The third-year pro out of Alabama looks more well-rounded than fellow 2020 draft pick Josh Uche, and should have a good chance to line up a lot opposite Matthew Judon at outside linebacker. A player like Jennings emerging out of nowhere at a key position could make a huge difference for the Patriots defense.
DOWN: OT Justin Herron
Aug 29, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots offensive guard Justin Herron (75) in action against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The opportunity has been there all summer for Herron, as Isaiah Wynn has dealt with injuries and Trent Brown seemingly got benched for disciplinary reasons last week. But he hasn’t quite seized that opportunity, certainly not like teammate Yodny Cajuste. The Patriots may ultimately keep Herron, anyway, because tackle depth and durability could be a concern.
UP: CB Jack Jones
Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Jack Jones (34) celebrates after making a play against the Las Vegas Raiders during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
The rookie has come on in the last couple of weeks. He continues to make plays on the ball, including a forced fumble and pass breakup against the Raiders. This Jones is aggressive, instinctive, and competitive, and looks like a riser up the depth chart as the defense evolves. If Jones continues to look like he did in Vegas going forward, he could see real snaps on the outside sooner rather than later.
DOWN: S Jabrill Peppers
Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Brittain Brown (38) carries the ball between New England Patriots safety Joshuah Bledsoe (24) and New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers (3) during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Peppers has been getting more opportunities now that he’s been back on the field healthy, and looks like he’ll be able to add speed and physicality to the back end of the defense. But a helmet-to-helmet hit on the Raiders’ Jesper Horsted earned him a flag for unnecessary roughness, and won’t go a long way toward earning him trust from the coaching staff.
