WINNERS
- Maurice Harris Perhaps the biggest winner of the week, Harris emerged as a potential starting slot receiver in the Patriots’ offense. He received the bulk of top-team reps next to Julian Edelman and Phillip Dorsett with quarterback Tom Brady at the helm. We kind of wrote off Harris when the Patriots signed him on the first day of free agency since he was non-tendered by the lowly Washington Redskins as an exclusive rights free agent. But Harris showed an ability to high point the ball, make contested catches and snag everything out of the air. We’re not ready to write his name in ink on the Patriots’ 2019 53-man roster, but we’re at least penciling him in for now
- Jamie Collins Collins, sporting No. 8, was another beneficiary of circumstance. Kyle Van Noy was limited in practice early in the week, thrusting Collins back into a top role. He had a really nice string of practices, and we’re now more open to the possibility that he could beat out Ja’Whaun Bentley for a starting role next to Van Noy and Dont’a Hightower. That’s an intimidating trio.
- Duke Dawson Dawson failed to stand out last spring and summer as a rookie then didn’t play a single game after being selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He flashed this week, however. He broke up passes Tuesday (from Brian Hoyer) and Thursday (from Brady). That’s a nice start for a guy battling for a roster spot.
LOSERS
- Dontrelle Inman We’ve watched four practices this spring. Inman has yet to catch a pass in team drills. And he’s been a full participant. That’s almost impossible. Even converted cornerback Gunner Olszewski has three catches in team drills. We thought Inman would make the Patriots’ 2019 53-man roster, but we see him on the outside looking in at this juncture. There’s still plenty of time to make up ground.