Even though they are willing to use virtually their entire roster this preseason -- a practice that is expected to continue this Sunday -- the New England Patriots have naturally not divided snaps up equally. Some players are seeing significantly more action, with the team's rookie class in particular being quite active.
Last Thursday's exhibition contest versus the Philadelphia Eagles was no exception. The Patriots used all but one of the 20 rookies on their current roster, with some players seeing notable opportunities -- a group including first-round quarterback Drake Maye, wide receivers Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, offensive linemen Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson, and undrafted safety Dell Pettus.
Obviously, Maye's usage was the biggest story; playing 24 total snaps over four drives in the second an third quarters, he went 6-of-11 for 47 yards with a touchdown run. Whether that performance will help him seriously challenge current starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett remains to be seen, but it was an uptick after he played just six snaps on one series in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers the previous week.
Besides Maye, Dell Pettus is also worth mentioning. The UDFA with seemingly the best chance of making the roster, Pettus has led the Patriots in defensive snaps in both preseason games so far. In addition, he also upped his special teams opportunities between Weeks 1 and 2.
With all that said, here is our snap count report from the Patriots' 14-13 loss to the Eagles.
Total snaps: 56 | Time on the field: 24:03
LT Vederian Lowe* (39; 70%), LG Sidy Sow* (33; 59%), WR Kayshon Boutte (30; 54%), WR Ja'Lynn Polk (26; 46%), C Nick Leverett (24; 43%), WR Javon Baker (24; 43%), QB Drake Maye (24; 43%), RT/LT Caedan Wallace (23; 41%), RG Layden Robinson (23; 41%), LG Michael Jordan (23; 41%), TE Mitchell Wilcox (22; 39%), RG Michael Onwenu* (22; 39%), RT Chukwuma Okorafor* (22; 39%), TE Jaheim Bell (21; 38%), WR David Wallis (17; 30%), WR Kawaan Baker (17; 30%), C Liam Fornadel (17; 30%), RT Calvin Anderson (17; 30%), RB Terrell Jennings (16; 29%), TE Austin Hooper* (15; 27%), C David Andrews* (15; 27%), QB Jacoby Brissett* (15; 27%), WR K.J. Osborn* (13; 23%), RB Antonio Gibson (12; 21%), QB Joe Milton III (12; 21%), LT Kellen Diesch (11; 20%), RG Atonio Mafi (11; 20%), RB Kevin Harris (10; 18%), WR DeMario Douglas* (10; 18%), RB Rhamondre Stevenson* (10; 18%), TE La'Michael Pettway (9; 16%), WR Tyquan Thornton* (9; 16%), RB JaMycal Hasty (8; 14%), WR Jalen Reagor (6; 11%), QB Bailey Zappe (5; 9%), TE Jacob Warren (4; 7%), WR JaQuae Jackson (1; 2%)
*denotes starter
The Patriots' starting offense featured some familiar faces. Jacoby Brissett was the first man up at quarterback, playing behind an offensive line consisting of Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Michael Onwenu and Chukwuma Okorafor. In addition, Tyquan Thornton got the start at wide receiver alongside DeMario Douglas and K.J. Osborn -- a possible sign of things to come as far as his roster outlook is concerned.
The Patriots pulled Brissett and starting center Andrews after 15 snaps over three first-quarter series, inserting the aforementioned Drake Maye as well as backup center Nick Leverett (but leaving the rest of the starting O-line intact). Fellow rookie quarterback Joe Milton entered the game for three drives in the fourth period, followed by Bailey Zappe unsuccessfully running the final two-minute drill.
As for the other position groups, Kayshon Boutte led all wide receivers with 30 snaps. The sophomore, who had some positive moments this summer but is fighting for a roster spot, played deep into the fourth quarter; he did catch a team-high three passes for 23 yards, though. Mitchell Wilcox led all tight ends for a second straight week.
Total snaps: 68 | Time on the field: 33:25
S Dell Pettus (46; 68%), CB Marcellas Dial Jr. (43; 63%), CB Azizi Hearn (43; 63%), S Joshuah Bledsoe* (41; 60%), S A.J. Thomas (40; 59%), CB Mikey Victor (37; 54%), LB Joe Giles-Harris (35; 51%), DT Mike Purcell (34; 50%), LB Raekwon McMillan* (32; 47%), ED Oshane Ximines (31; 46%), ED William Bradley-King (27; 40%), DE Sam Roberts (27; 40%), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr*. (27; 40%), CB Alex Austin* (25; 37%), ED Joshua Uche (24; 35%), LB Steele Chambers (22; 32%), S Jaylinn Hawkins* (22; 32%), DE Keion White* (21; 31%), DT Josiah Bronson (21; 31%), CB Isaiah Bolden* (19; 28%), DT Armon Watts (17; 25%), LB Christian Elliss (15; 22%), CB Marco Wilson (15; 22%), DT Daniel Ekuale* (14; 21%), DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (14; 21%), S Brenden Schooler (10; 15%), LB Jahlani Tavai* (10; 15%), CB Christian Gonzalez* (10; 15%), ED Anfernee Jennings* (9; 13%), DT Trysten Hill (9; 13%), ED Jotham Russell (8; 12%)
*denotes starter
With six nominal starters not playing, the Patriots used a heavy rotation on the defensive side of the ball -- one that even included Christian Gonzalez yet another 10 snaps after playing six the previous week.
Gonzalez's usage may come as a surprise, especially after his heavy exposure in the joint practice with the Eagles two days before the game, but it does make sense: he played just 209 snaps during his rookie campaign before a season-ending shoulder injury. The more experience, the better seems to be the team's mantra in regards to his development.
The starters alongside him were Isiah Bolden in the slot and Alex Austin on the perimeter, even though the team also gave Marco Wilson his fair share of high-level reps. The other cornerbacks, meanwhile, project as depth options at this point in time.
The same cannot be said for Raekwon McMillan. Even though he played 32 snaps after starting, he seems to be playing his way onto the roster as a potential LB3 behind Ja'Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai.
Up front, Trysten Hill remains a name to watch. He only played nine snaps and didn't start, but with Christian Barmore's future uncertain the team might opt to keep him around as a depth option along the interior defensive line. The former second-round draft pick has looked quite good so far this summer.
Total snaps: 23 | Time on the field: 2:32
S Dell Pettus (12; 52%), CB Marcellas Dial Jr. (10; 43%), ED William Bradley-King (10; 43%), CB Mikey Victor (9; 39%), ED Oshane Ximines (9; 39%), LB Steele Chambers (9; 39%), LB Christian Elliss (9; 39%), P/H Bryce Baringer (9; 39%), CB Azizi Hearn (8; 35%), LB Joe Giles-Harris (8; 35%), LB Raekwon McMillan (8; 35%), S Jaylinn Hawkins (8; 35%), RB JaMycal Hasty (7; 30%), CB Isaiah Bolden (7; 30%), ED Jotham Russell (7; 30%), TE Mitchell Wilcox (6; 26%), TE Jaheim Bell (6; 26%), TE La'Michael Pettway (6; 26%), S A.J. Thomas (6; 26%), LS Tucker Addington (6; 26%), RB Kevin Harris (5; 22%), S Joshuah Bledsoe (5; 22%), CB Alex Austin (5; 22%), ED Joshua Uche (5; 22%), WR/PR/KR David Wallis (4; 17%), CB Marco Wilson (4; 17%), K Joey Slye (4; 17%), WR Kayshon Boutte (3; 13%), RB Terrell Jennings (3; 13%), WR/PR/KR Jalen Reagor (3; 13%), TE Jacob Warren (3; 13%), S Brenden Schooler (3; 13%), LB Jahlani Tavai (3; 13%), ED Anfernee Jennings (3; 13%), K Chad Ryland (3; 13%), LS Joe Cardona (3; 13%), OT Vederian Lowe (2; 9%), G Sidy Sow (2; 9%), C Nick Leverett (2; 9%), WR Javon Baker (2; 9%), OT Caedan Wallace (2; 9%), G Layden Robinson (2; 9%), G Michael Jordan (2; 9%), WR Kawaan Baker (2; 9%), RB Antonio Gibson (2; 9%), OL Liam Fornadel (1; 4%), OT Calvin Anderson (1; 4%), TE Austin Hooper (1; 4%), OT Kellen Diesch (1; 4%), OL Atonio Mafi (1; 4%), WR/PR DeMario Douglas (1; 4%), WR JaQuae Jackson (1; 4%), DE Sam Roberts (1; 4%), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (1; 4%), DE Keion White (1; 4%), DT Armon Watts (1; 4%), DT Daniel Ekuale (1; 4%), DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (1; 4%), CB Christian Gonzalez (1; 4%), OL Charles Turner III (1; 4%), OT Zuri Henry (1; 4%)
The Patriots again used a heavy contingent of players in the kicking game, but only seven of the 61 players were exclusively used in the game's third phase: the specialists as well as offensive linemen Charles Turner and Zuri Henry, whose odds of making the roster are rather slim.
As for those specialists, Joey Slye appeared to take a leap forward in the kicker competition. Not only did he attempt (and make) the Patriots' only two field goals, he also kicked off twice. For comparison, Chad Rylans kicked one extra point plus two kickoffs.
In the return department, it appear Jalen Reagor remains the main man. While he shared duties with David Wallis and and -- for one punt return snap -- DeMario Douglas, it seems the former first-round draft pick is close to punching his ticket to the 53-man squad primarily due to his special teams contributions.
S Jabrill Peppers, LB Ja'Whaun Bentley, S/LB Marte Mapu, LB Sione Takitaki (PUP), S Kyle Dugger, CB Marcus Jones, CB Shaun Wade, CB Jonathan Jones, RB Deshaun Fenwick, G Cole Strange (PUP), WR Kendrick Bourne (PUP), TE Hunter Henry, DT Christian Barmore, DT Davon Godchaux
Including the three players on the active/physically unable to perform list, a total of 14 of the currently 89 players on the Patriots' roster did not take the field versus the Eagles. Some of those such as Hunter Henry or the three cornerbacks are currently nursing injuries (that are not believed to be of the major variety), while others like starting safeties Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers were held out for apparent load management reasons.
All in all, the Patriots were more open to using the entire depth of their roster on Thursday. The Eagles, for comparison, sat 28 of their players including most of their starters on both offense and defense.