NFL Notebook: Positional battles tighten as Patriots' 2018 roster comes into sharper focus

In this week’s NFL Notebook, we look back what might ultimately go down as the Patriots’ most impactful offseason trade, some notes about locker room real estate and new numbers in Foxborough, and we remember what might have been the best preseason game of Tom Brady’s career. But first, with the third preseason game looming on Friday, we look at a handful of players who are entering a key stretch when it comes to securing a roster spot.

1. After two weeks of training camp and a pair of preseason games, the Patriots 2018 roster is starting to come into sharper focus. At the same time, there are a handful of players who could use a good week of practice and a good outing Friday against the Panthers to really firm up their chances of making it through to the final 53. In no particular order, here’s a look at some of the players who will be under the microscope this week:

WR Eric Decker: The veteran, who was acquired earlier this month, needs to answer the bell against Carolina. Decker had 16 snaps in Thursday’s game against the Eagles, up from six in the preseason opener against the Redskins, but no catches on two targets to this point. He was on the field early working with Brady before the game against Philly. That’s a good sign, but it has to start translating to on-field success sooner rather than later.

WR Kenny Britt: We have no earthly concept as to where he stands right now, but the Patriots are giving a lot of recovery time to a guy who has yet to show he can succeed within the framework of their passing game. Maybe he’ll come out and have a monster season? I mean, he looked like a beast when he was on the field this spring. But he’s been limited to brief cameos here and there since then. His opportunities for real 11-on-11 work and preseason game action are starting to dry up.

RBs Jeremy Hill/Mike Gillislee: With Rex Burkhead showing he’s unable to stay consistently healthy, there could be room on the roster for both guys. But if Burkhead can go, the thinking here is there’s only one spot for a between-the-tackles guy, which means one or the other here. Hill appears to have an edge, especially after a pair of good outings in preseason action, but there’s still some time for Gillislee to make his case.

WRs Riley McCarron/Braxton Berrios: Again, we’re pairing these two because it appears they’re in the race for a single roster spot. With Berrios sidelined, McCarron made his case on Thursday handled punts and kickoffs, and did well to handle some tricky returns. We’ll see if Berrios can answer on Friday against the Panthers.

CB Jason McCourty: Maybe this is simply a case of tweaking our initial expectations? We had him ticketed as a No. 2 corner this spring, but it appears more that he’ll end up being more of a complementary piece of the secondary, as well as part of special teams. Regardless, the fact he was the cornerback in the vicinity of one of the Eagles’ touchdowns Thursday night isn’t a good look, let alone the fact there appeared to be a breakdown on kick coverage on his side in the Philly game. Our feeling right now is that he isn’t necessarily on the bubble, but he can’t afford to get complacent. A good finish to the summer will help remove any doubt.

P Corey Bojorquez: In his Friday conference call, Bill Belichick didn’t sound too thrilled about the work of the rookie, at least lately. Asked about Bojorquez’s lack of chances over the first two preseason games — he didn’t punt or hold for Stephen Gostkowski in either contest — the coach answered: “The opportunities to play have to be earned. When we feel that that’s been done and he’s able to do it, or anybody else for that matter — when a player earns an opportunity and is able to participate for the opportunity — then we’ll try to give it to him.” If he’s out there Friday, he needs a good outing if he wants to still be a part of this positional battle. (For what it’s worth, Bojorquez does have practice squad eligibility.)

2. Two things that stand out about Ja’Whaun Bentley’s early-season success that have nothing to do with his on-field contributions:

a. The offseason move that might ultimately have the biggest impact on the 2018 Patriots? It might have been the draft weekend deal that saw New England ship the No. 95 overall pick to the Niners for Trent Brown and No. 143 pick overall. The Niners used the pick on safety Tarvarius Moore. In return, the Patriots got a starting left tackle, and used their pick on Bentley, a player who is looking more and more capable of becoming an every-down linebacker in the NFL in his first season. Not a bad trade-off for New England, at least to this point on the calendar.