Gonzalez returns as the Patriots finally get their starting corner trio back, anchoring a healthier defensive unit for Week 4 against Carolina. With Davis outside and Jones or Austin in the slot, New England’s secondary is the unit to watch as they try to slow a Panthers receiving corps led by Tetairoa McMillan. The line minimal changes aside from Wilson’s absence, Ben Brown steps in at left guard, and the offense lines up to counter Derrick Brown’s interior push.

The game-day roster also features elevated practice-squad depth and a handful of inactives, underscoring the Patriots’ focus on ensuring stability on both sides of the ball. For fantasy bettors, the restored defense presents a streaming opportunity, while the Patriots’ offense looks to maintain consistency behind a shuffled line in a pivotal Week 4 showdown at Gillette.

Patriots vs Panthers kicks off at 1 p.m. ET; keep an eye on Gonzalez’s exposure and how the corner rotation impacts overall pass defense and fantasy upside for NEP defenders and Panthers pass-catchers alike.

Drake Maye delivered the most efficient performance of his Patriots tenure, going 19-of-23 for 230 yards with two touchdowns and adding a rushing score in a road win over Miami. New England balanced the attack early and kept the Dolphins on their heels with smart, accurate throws and mobility.

Stevenson had 5 receptions for 88 yards and 11 carries for 54, while Hooper, Boutte, Gibson and Douglas supplied timely options. Moses struggled up front, but the unit overall found rhythm and a blueprint for continued fantasy upside.

Patriots add Will Campbell, Jared Wilson and Marcus Bryant to a reshaped 2025 offensive line, with Wilson moving to left guard and Brown battling for the same spot. Campbell is pegged as the likely starter at left tackle, while Morgan Moses holds the right edge and Bradbury is expected to anchor center. Campbell’s status tightens the left side, as Brown’s summer performance keeps the door ajar. Vrabel won’t name an official five ahead of the opener against the Raiders, emphasizing competition and daily improvement.

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins showed real potential for Minnesota in Saturday’s 20-12 preseason loss to New England, getting 36 snaps with the first unit and flashing a frame that screams NFL-ready as a rotational interior defender who can also rush from a variety of angles. Flores’ scheme is leaning into his length and interior versatility, keeping him in the mix alongside established pieces while he continues to refine his hand placement and burst.

The Georgia product openly acknowledged a well-documented flaw—getting locked in early contact with blockers—and called the critique truthful, signaling an uncommon level of accountability for a rookie in a high-stakes locker room. The Vikings have leaned into opportunities for him, pushing him into base-3-4 looks last week with players like Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, signaling belief in his ability to contribute sooner than later.

Three plays illustrated why Flores is intrigued: a power rush that put Garrett Bradbury on his backside, a patient play holding off Michael Onwenu long enough to shed for a 1-yard loss, and a red-zone rush that disrupted Josh Dobbs’ throw. NFL.com once ranked him 31st in production for DTs at the combine but second in athleticism, a combo he’s already validating with a rare blend of length and power. Ingram-Dawkins calls himself still scratching the surface, underscoring a high ceiling if he keeps grinding and staying in his gaps.

From a fantasy perspective, he’s a name to monitor in deeper formats. If Flores continues to unlock his multipositional utility, he could carve out a meaningful rotational bite in run defense and red-zone packages, with upside as a long-term interior disruptor if his technique catches up to his size.