Patriots players on the 53-man roster bubble entering the final preseason game vs. Giants
The Patriots aren't expected to play their starters very long Thursday night against the New York Giants — if at all — so the exhibition should be an extended opportunity for those on the roster bubble.
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That's because by Tuesday, the Patriots' roster, which stands at 91 players, will be trimmed down to 53. With that, here's a look at the players who have the most to prove Thursday night.
This is probably obvious, but it's staggering nonetheless that the team's seventh-highest-paid player enters the final preseason game on the wrong side of the 53-man roster bubble.
Dugger was once so good that the Patriots hoped he'd be a focal part of their defense for years to come. They made him the sixth-highest-paid safety in the NFL when he got an extension in April of last year.
But after struggles last season, the new coaching staff has clearly been less than impressed with the 29-year-old. Dugger has been with the scout-team defense (which is lower than the second string) in practices and played in the fourth quarter of the last preseason game.
It might seem shocking, but Dugger probably needs a great game Thursday to make the team, even if the Patriots wouldn't get much cap relief by cutting him.
There's a chance that the Patriots' last two draft classes end up looking really bleak after cuts are made next week. That's in part because Mapu, a third-round pick in 2023, is probably on the outside looking in at this point.
What makes it worse is that linebacker might be the position where the Patriots have the least depth. Still, Mapu is expendable since he has struggled to fit in with Mike Vrabel's defense after Bill Belichick drafted him to be a linebacker/safety hybrid.
The second-year receiver added special teams duties to his role several weeks ago, which seemed like a positive step toward making the roster. But Baker's play has cooled off, and he struggled in the second preseason game, catching just one of seven targets.
Couple that with Efton Chism's emergence, and it'll be tough for Baker to make the team. He needs to convince the Patriots that it's worth it to carry seven receivers (the others being Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins and Chism). Entering Thursday, that seems like a long shot, especially after Baker missed practice Tuesday.
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Like Dugger, for most of training camp, Jennings looked like a veteran of the Belichick regime who didn't fit Vrabel's system. But unlike Dugger, Jennings has upped his play in recent weeks. In the second preseason game, he had three sacks in just one half of action. And he's still a top-notch edge setter.
'To his credit, he's done nothing but compete in practice, earn reps in the games and take advantage of every one that he's gotten,' Vrabel said, praising the way Jennings has responded to the drop in playing time.
33 gets there! @anferneejenning | #NEPats
📺: WBZ pic.twitter.com/X5JPE0DZOh
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 16, 2025
The new coaching staff moved Wallace from tackle to guard in hopes it might free him up to play his best football.
It still might, considering Wallace is probably on the right side of the bubble entering Thursday's game. But his spot isn't guaranteed.
It's notable that while the Patriots have a massive void at left guard and have given several players a chance there, Wallace hasn't gotten that opportunity. At best, he's the team's No. 6 interior lineman on the depth chart right now.
The Harvard graduate was an offseason award winner from the new coaching staff, and he's had some nice moments in training camp.
But consistency has been an issue, and Jones enters the final preseason game looking for a big performance to convince the staff he's needed on the 53-man roster.
After some injuries at running back in camp, the Pats are a bit thin at the position, and Hasty is the No. 4 running back.
He played well in the second preseason game, rushing for 47 yards on 11 carries.
He's probably not competing with anyone on the roster as much as he is trying to prove to the Patriots brass that it doesn't need to scour the waiver wire next week for a new No. 4 back.
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OK, this is purposefully vague given how little is clear at tight end behind Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper.
Jack Westover is probably the best bet to make the team behind Henry and Hooper, but his usage is largely at fullback, which could open the door to keep another tight end if Vrabel is inclined.
To justify that, Jaheim Bell, Gee Scott, CJ Dippre and Cole Fotheringham will all be hoping to impress on Thursday.
(Photo of Anfernee Jennings: Billie Weiss / Getty Images)
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