Three Patriots Who Need to Stand Out This Week

Fellow second-year wideout and 2024 draft classmate Ja'Lynn Polk had been competing with Baker for what most assume is the final spot in the wide receiver room. In the preseason opener, Polk took an end-around and was tackled on his right shoulder. He left the game and will not make the trip to Minnesota for joint practices.

With Polk out, Baker has a chance to build on his prior chemistry with Drake Maye and catapult himself past Polk on the depth chart.

CB Carlton Davis

On Sunday, Vrabel was asked if cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis would be spotted in Minnesota.

"You'll see (Davis) in Minnesota," Vrabel said. "Now, before you think I'm being funny, you'll probably see Christian in Minnesota, you won't see him on the field probably in a uniform. See how I did that? You'll see him in Minnesota, but he probably won't be practicing this week."

The top two players in the Patriots' secondary have been oft-injured to begin this summer, and Davis just recently started to suit up for fully-padded practices. With young players DJ James and Kobee Minor standing out in camp, Davis needs to find his footing ahead of the regular season.

His spot in the lineup isn't in jeopardy. But for the Patriots' sake, a player who just inked a three-year, $54 million contract in the offseason is someone you'd ideally want healthy heading into real game situations. A chance to get back into the swing of things against Minnesota will be a step in the right direction for Davis.

Reserve Offensive Linemen

The most interesting positional battle to watch each summer is who will grab one of those coveted backup spots along the offensive line. With the starting core likely locked up at this point, the all-important swing tackle and interior depth players will have a tall task ahead of them. The Vikings front seven is loaded will talent that can get after the quarterback, and this week will be a good test for some Patriots hoping to earn their place.

At the tackle spot, rookie Marcus Bryant and second-year Demontrey Jacobs have done a solid job on both ends of the line. Tackle-turned-guard Caedan Wallace has also shown promise at left guard, while Ben Brown and Alec Lindstrom have repped at both guard and center. For these players, stacking days against a new team will help their chances come cut-down day. UDFAs Jack Conley (Boston College) and Mehki Butler (Arkansas State) have gotten limited snaps thus far, and will likely see more action come game time this weekend.