10 Patriots who need to have a good outing tonight against Carolina

The third preseason game is the one where the starters play the most, and while it’s important for everyone to get a handle on where they are at this point on the calendar, Friday is also going to be an important test for a bunch of other players who are facing another challenge in their quest for a roster spot.

Here are 10 Patriots who could use a good night against the Panthers. Some are on the bubble, while others should feel more secure, but simply need to display the consistency needed to succeed in the NFL. Either way, they should get plenty of chances Friday.

Ja’Whaun Bentley: Just so there’s no doubt as to where we stand, we’ve been driving the Bentley Bandwagon since the preseason opener. Putting him on this list is a way to signal the fact there will be increased expectations on his shoulders going forward. There are rookie mistakes that pop up from time to time (guessing on gaps, for example) when it comes to the Purdue product. But the truth of the matter is that he’s looking like (at the very least) a two-down linebacker capable of being part of the front-seven rotation as a rookie. He just needs to show he’s still trending in the right direction, and Friday night is another chance.