Under-the-radar players from Patriots training camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Patriots held a walkthrough on Wednesday, as they essentially hit the midway point of training camp.
With the activity taking a step back, Phil Perry decided it was time to take stock of the first half of camp and share his list of under-the-radar players who have really stood out on the practice squad thus far. 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Alex Barth joined him for this exercise on the Next Pats Podcast.
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“Crownover’s stood out to me in these 1-on-1’s, just because he moves so well,” Perry said. “Another Day 3 guy who’s got real traits.”
Nick DeGennaro, WR
“He’s the kind of guy I think who will really excite Patriots fans in the third and fourth quarters of preseason games,” Perry said. “He’ll probably not make the roster, but they should definitely try to keep him on the practice squad, and then … who knows what happens? That path has paid dividends — significant dividends — for a number of different guys in this mold over the course of time.”
Barth put receiver Cameron Dorner in that same bucket: “Obviously very much not the case this year, but I think two guys that have proved they at least belong in an NFL building.”
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Khalil Jacobs, LB
“I feel like he plays with his hair on fire — he just plays with an enthusiasm, with an energy that I really like,” Perry said. “He has some real juice.”
Karon Prunty, CB
“A lot of people didn’t like that pick,” Barth said. “Really since the pads came on, we’ve seen him — especially with his physicality — he’s making a play or two every single day.”
James Hudson, T
“They’re trying to find ways to get him on the team, and maybe he’s a four-position backup,” Barth said. “The fact that he’s getting the opportunities that he is, I think is very encouraging for his odds to make the team.”
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Chad Muma, LB
“I said coming into camp, ‘Is there a Jack Gibbens this year?’ A guy that’s a fringe roster player, probably viewed as a special teamer that shows he can actually contribute on defense as well,” Barth said. “Chad Muma looking like he’s kind of having the camp that Jack Gibbens had last year. And if that turns into the season that Jack Gibbens had, that would be a big development for the Patriots’ defense.”
Also in this episode:
Phil and Barth share their superlatives from camp
Phil’s 53-man roster prediction
The outlook for the rest of camp
