FOXBORO – The Mike Vrabel era unofficially commenced with a win.
Friday’s 48-18 win over the Commanders in the Patriots’ preseason opener won’t count in the regular-season standings, but it was an optimistic start for Vrabel in his first game as Pats head coach.
The Patriots scored immediately on a 100-yard kick return from explosive rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, and they weren’t forced to punt until their final drive of the second quarter.
Then again, it’s difficult to assess what any of it means since the Commanders rested 30 players, including most of their starters.
Quarterbacks Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs both scored touchdowns on scrambles, and the Patriots’ starting defense was stout against a Commanders offense that started Sam Hartman at quarterback. Undrafted rookie wide receiver Efton Chism, running back Terrell Jennings and rookie Lan Larison got in the end zone in the second half.
BEST
RB TREVEYON HENDERSON
This might be premature, but the Patriots’ offense simply looks better when Henderson is on the field, which might not bode well for the long-term starting status of veteran running back Rhamondre Stevenson.
Henderson opened the game flashing his game-breaking ability with a 100-yard kick return touchdown. He later registered an 18-yard carry, running behind rookie left tackle Will Campbell. He also caught three passes for 12 yards.
Henderson has had some drops in training camp, and he has put the ball on the ground with a fumble. But he’s one of the fastest running backs in the NFL, and he had a phenomenal start to his NFL career.
CB DJ JAMES
“DJ James always gets around the ball.”
That’s a quote from James this summer. It feels like the young cornerback gets a pass breakup every training camp practice. He intercepted Commanders QB Sam Hartman in the first quarter to continue a blazing hot start to the summer.
James, a 2024 sixth-round pick by the Seahawks, spent most of last season on the Patriots’ practice squad. He’s drawn praise from Vrabel, and immediately it would be a surprise if he’s not on the Week 1 53-man roster as depth behind best cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Rookie kicker Andres Borregales didn’t have the most difficult assignments, but he banger a 22-yard field goal and connected on three extra points. Many expect the rookie to win the kicking competition, but Parker Romo is keeping things interesting. He banger a 57-yard field goal and three extra points.
The Patriots also had another big kick return midway through the second quarter when running back Antonio Gibson put his offense in good field position with a 62-yard return. Rookie safety Craig Woodson led the team with three special teams tackles.
WR EFTON CHISM
Chism was the only Patriots wide receiver seriously contending for a roster spot to catch a pass. He hauled in six catches on eight targets for 50 yards with a touchdown from third-string QB Ben Wooldridge.
WORST
WR JA’LYNN POLK
Polk took an end-around for a 1-yard gain, but landed hard on his arm/shoulder when he was tackled. He went straight into the blue medical tent before departing for the locker room. The 2024 second-round pick is fighting for a roster spot behind Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and rookie Kyle Williams. This won’t help his case against other wide receivers like Javon Baker, Efton Chism and Kendrick Bourne.
QB DRAKE MAYE
We’re being a little harsh here, but Maye did turn over the ball Friday night. He was attempting to throw the ball away, it fell off his hand and went backwards for a fumble that was recovered by the Commanders.
“We turned the ball over offensively. I think that’s a poor decision by our quarterback, and he knows that,” Vrabel told WBZ’s Steve Burton at halftime.
Maye otherwise was 3-of-5 for 12 yards with a two scrambles for 16 yards with a touchdown.
QB JOSHUA DOBBS
The Patriots’ backup quarterback got an extended opportunity but completed just 5-of-12 passes for 45 yards. He struggled to connect with open wide receivers late in the second quarter.
LB MONTY RICE
The veteran linebacker has experience in Vrabel’s defense from his time with the Titans. He let up a 33-yard reception to tight end Lawrence Cager to set up a second-half Commanders touchdown.
WHAT ELSE WE LEARNED
- Put outside linebacker Truman Jones on all of your future 53-man roster projections. He was decidedly above Anfernee Jennings on the Patriots’ defensive depth chart. Jennings was still on the field in the fourth quarter, which wasn’t a great sign for the veteran edge defender. Jennings is not a great fit in Vrabel’s attacking style of defense.
- Rookie Marcus Bryant drew the start at right tackle over Demontrey Jacobs with Morgan Moses out. He stayed in the game when other starters departed to move over to left tackle. It appears the Patriots are giving him every opportunity to earn the best swing tackle role. Bryant was Missouri’s starting left tackle last season. His bookend was first-round pick Armand Membou.
- Tight end Jack Westover remains a coaches’ favorite. He drew a start at fullback and has been working as the Patriots’ third tight end behind Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper in training camp. He had the lead block on a touchdown run from Terrell Jennings in the fourth quarter.
- There’s a spot at gunner open with Marcellas Dial on injured reserve. Javon Baker got the first opportunity Friday night opposite Brenden Schooler.
- Veteran Marcus Epps and second-year pro Dell Pettus both didn’t get on the field at safety until the second half.
- Larison departed for the locker room after his fourth-quarter touchdown.
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