The Patriots turned in one final walk-through before the preseason finale, still in helmets and shoulder pads as competition remained fierce. Christian Barmore and Milton Williams anchored a disruptive interior that flashed the disruptive edge the team hoped to unlock this season. Drake Maye endured pressure from a stout front as pass protection continued to be a concern, with Ben Brown plugged into guard/center spots to stabilize the line. Keion White started hot but drifted to the second unit, while Robert Spillane piled up sacks and Jabrill Peppers added a sack as Terrell Williams leaned on blitzing from safety and corner. The kicking race between Andy Borregales and Parker Romo remained a coin flip, both thriving in a tight battle. Offense touched the ball as well with Henry, Hollins, Diggs, and Dobbs all contributing. A game plan rehearsal looms as New England heads to East Rutherford for the final tune-up.

Pass protection remained a narrative thread. Barmore and Williams consistently found disruption in the backfield, challenging Drake Maye and keeping the offensive line under pressure. Will Campbell and the rest of the line showed flashes, but the unit’s ability to keep Maye clean will be critical for the preseason and beyond. On defense, Spillane’s two-sack day followed a previous interception spree, signaling a potential high-volume role in the regular season. Peppers leveraged blitz opportunities, hinting at a more aggressive use of safeties in coverage and pressure packages. In the kicking duel, Borregales and Romo split the 4-for-4 mark, underscoring how evenly matched the competition remains as the roster edges toward Week 1 considerations.

The Minnesota Vikings handed the offense to JJ McCarthy and his first real NFL showcase in practice vs. New England provided a strong signal-to-signal for fantasy managers. McCarthy went 14-of-16 in 11-on-11 work, throwing five touchdowns in tight red-zone and full-field periods, per Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan. The Patriots’ first-team defense limited big mistakes but McCarthy delivered on-time dimes, flashing poise beyond his years. The session came as Justin Jefferson was sidelined with a hamstring issue, yet McCarthy found rhythm with TJ Hockenson and Jordan Addison, and even mixed in early chemistry with Addison as the rookie connected for multiple scores.

Helping the rookie’s case was the surrounding cast: Hockenson and Addison provided reliable targets, while Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Keion White, and Christian Gonzalez provided a stiff test for Minnesota’s offense. Minnesota's plan to rest McCarthy this weekend aligns with Week 1’s anticipated clash with the Chicago Bears, giving the young passer time to build timing with Addison, Hockenson, and Jefferson’s return. The overall takeaway: McCarthy’s message to the doubters is clear—poise, command, and a path to meaningful fantasy upside as the Vikings’ offense evolves around him. Thursday’s practice wasn’t just a win for a day; it was a blueprint for Minnesota’s envisioned future.

Kyle Dugger’s binding Patriots tenure is under real test as training camp pace shifts away from him. After a four-year, $58 million deal, Dugger has started to lose ground to Craig Woodson in multiple drills and nickel looks, while Jabrill Peppers and Jaylinn Hawkins line up as the top safeties. The Patriots still carry a hefty cap hit ($15.3 million) with guarantees remaining, but the team’s broader culture shift away from the dynasty era and a nearly $59 million cap cushion make a roster rethink plausible.

The shift isn’t just about allocations and money. Dugger, a long-tenured starter, now faces a potential tug-of-war between a veteran fit and a Day 3 rookie’s upside. With no-look defensive concepts and a defense that prize versatility, Dugger’s role could become more situational, pressuring fantasy value. The big-picture question remains whether Dugger can reclaim a large starting role or if New England will lean into Woodson’s growth and a reorganized back end.

For fantasy managers, the signal is caution: a diminished early-season role would sap Dugger’s tackle volume and big-play upside, while Peppers/Hawkins/Woodson stand to gain. If Dugger threads a comeback to a full-time role, he could regain value, but the path appears murkier amid the culture reset and the Patriots’ cap flexibility.