Patriots' Saturday preseason win over Minnesota showcased a versatile depth chart, headlined by a game-ending Kyle Duggar interception that capped a solid defensive night but raised questions about his late-game utility given his wall of a contract. Trevon Henderson flashed as a true Patriots-style third-down hammer, while Drake Maye showed both promise and the jitters typical of a young quarterback under non-starter pressure. Efton Chisum erupted for six grabs and 71 yards, a signal the undrafted rookie could punch through into the 53. Marcus Jones injected a spark with a punt return, and the offensive line depth—Marcus Bryant, Ben Brown, Will Campbell—provided a glimpse of roster flexibility for the season. The WR room gathered momentum with M. Hollands and Chisum contributing, and Penny Jennings dominated the second half on defense with multiple sacks. Overall, New England built a compelling case for depth, flexibility, and continued evaluation as camps wind toward Week 1.

Roster and scheme shifts stood out: Bryant at right tackle and Brown stepping in at left guard emphasized depth-first thinking, while Maye’s performance underscored the challenge of translating practice pace to real-game tempo. The Vikings held a reserve-heavy defense and backup QB drive; the game still offered a clear picture of how the Patriots might allocate snaps and positions to maximize versatility—especially at tackle and receiver—without sacrificing the ceiling for players who can contribute later in the season.