New England Patriots

6 dark horse candidates to make New England Patriots roster

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots running back Tyler Gaffney (36) evades Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

As we near another round of New England Patriots roster cuts, here are six dark horse candidates to make the final Patriots roster.

Patriots roster dark horse #1 – Tyler Gaffney

Gaffney has been one of the more heartwarming stories of Patriots preseason, and it’s because he’s had such rotten luck the past two seasons. Since the Carolina Panthers drafted Gaffney out of Stanford a few years back, injuries have hindered him from emerging out of August. That hasn’t been the case this season; Gaffney has taken the opportunity by the horns, and as a result, he is on the final lap for a spot on the Patriots roster.

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To make the final hurdle, Gaffney must show well in the final preseason game. It’s unlikely the Pats would take a sixth running back, so Gaffney has to prove he’s worth more to the offense than undrafted rookie D.J. Foster. A running back group of LeGarrette Blount, James White, Brandon Bolden, James Develin and Gaffney is fine by this writer.

Aug 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end A.J. Derby (86) makes the catch against Chicago Bears outside linebacker Jonathan Anderson (58) in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots roster dark horse #2 – A.J. Derby

Derby is neck-and-neck with Clay Harbor for the No. 3 tight end spot behind Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, and it’s going to be a photo finish. The Patriots signed Harbor to a generous deal over the offseason, indicating that they were pretty interested in tucking him in behind Gronk and Bennett. But Derby has been consistently impressive all training camp, particularly standing out by catching passes in traffic.

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After being selected by the Patriots in the sixth round in 2015, Derby saw his rookie season cut short when he was placed on injured reserve in early August. You can bet that the Arkansas product was squirming in his seat all season to get a crack at the Patriots roster again; certainly, Derby has to be considered a dark horse to make the final roster.

Jul 28, 2016; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive guard Ted Karras (75) takes the field for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots roster dark horse #3 – Ted Karras

When the Patriots drafted Karras this spring, the early impression was that the rookie was going to have a hell of a time making the final roster with Shaq Mason, Tre’ Jackson, Josh Kline, Jonathan Cooper and Joe Thuney in the mix. But since Mason and Jackson are sidelined with injury, it has actually become pretty important to have Karras around for depth purposes.

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Furthermore, Karras fits the Bill Belichick mold of football player because he is a versatile offensive lineman. Part of the reason the Patriots were content to cut ties with Bryan Stork was because of Karras’ ability to play center if need be, just like Kline and Thuney. So in case David Andrews gets hurt, the Pats have yet another fill-in option at center.

Dec 7, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Anthony Johnson (76) and Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller (26) walk to the field before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots roster dark horse #4 – Anthony Johnson

Against the Chicago Bears a few weeks back, Johnson put on the best game of his underachieving NFL career, and his chances of making the final roster immediately skyrocketed as a result. After two poor seasons in the league since entering the NFL as a former LSU star, Johnson lost 50 pounds this offseason and is playing with renewed focus as a 275-pound defensive lineman. The Pats like Johnson because he can be used on the outside and the inside, and he generates no shortage of power regardless of where he lines up.

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Additionally, it should be noted that Johnson had been outperforming offseason signee Terrance Knighton all preseason. It’s no coincidence that Knighton was cut before Johnson. Not that the too can be compared all that easily, as Knighton weighs a full 75 pounds more than Johnson, but the fact remains that the Patriots valued Johnson as a defensive lineman more than Knighton.

Jul 30, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks with inside linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) as defensive coordinator Matt Patricia watches a drill during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots roster dark horse #5 – Elandon Roberts

He may be a bit undersized for a full-time linebacker, but Roberts has been drawing the Patriots’ eye all summer. The Houston product fits the Patriot Way with his quiet demeanor, work ethic and dependability. It also should be noted that Roberts led the FBS with 88 solo tackles last year, so there is no doubt that the knows how to fly around the field and make tackles.

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However, Roberts probably faces the longest odds to make the final Patriots roster out of this group because there just might not be room for him on the linebacker depth chart. With Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Shea McClellin, Barkevious Mingo and recently-extended Jonathan Freeny entrenched on the roster, Roberts will have to fight with fellow 2016 draft pick Kamu Grugier-Hill for the last spot. A practice squad role would suit the rookie just fine for starters; Roberts will work his way up, no doubt.

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots roster dark horse #6 – Cre’Von LeBlanc

Earlier in the preseason, this writer was keen on Jonathan Jones making the Patriots roster as the No. 5 cornerback behind Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Cyrus Jones and Justin Coleman, but things have changed. The smart money is on LeBlanc getting the job because the Patriots have him 59 snaps last Friday night, the most out of any member of the 90-man Patriots roster at the time. The more snaps you get in preseason, the better, as long as you perform well; LeBlanc certainly did, staying step-for-step with speedster Ted Ginn in coverage.

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Also, whenever you get Bill Belichick to call something you did “special”, you’re doing well. That’s exactly what Bill had to say after LeBlanc’s beautiful one-handed pick against the New Orleans Saints in the first preseason game.

Stay tuned all day for further fresh points of analysis here on Musket Fire all preseason long.