Patriots vs. Packers Preseason: 3 Players to Watch; Mapu, Zeke Debuts?

As the New England Patriots prepare to take on the Green Bay Packers, Patriots Country highlights three offensive players on whom Pats fans might want to watch.

The New England Patriots hope to make their mark in the win column as they battle the Green Bay Packers in their second of three preseason contests. 

After two days of joint practices between the two teams, the Pats and Packers are set for a 8 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday at Lambeau Field. 

With both teams expected to sparingly play their starters, and tensions slightly teetering on the brink, the Pats will continue to use each opportunity to learn, improve and prepare for the regular season. 

Though many players are expected to garner some attention, here are three players that might raise an eyebrow when the Pats take the field against the Packers … along with one for good measure. 

Ezekiel Elliott

While many eyes within Pats Nation will be fixed on Elliott, it should be noted that the team’s latest acquisition is not expected to log significant minutes against the Packers. Still, the two-time All Pro earned an impressive pair of touchdowns during red zone work against the Packers defense during Thursday’s practice. In addition to breaking Green Bay’s defensive seal for eight yards to find the end zone, Elliott also scored on a goal-line carry. As he is likely to be utilized in similar packages throughout the season. Elliott’s main contributions may come on red zone / goal-line options. Last season, he led the NFL in red zone rushing attempts with 59 — 31 of which came inside the ten-yard line. He had 11 touchdowns inside the 20. Unsurprisingly, he also led the NFL with 162 rushing yards in the red zone. In light of the Pats struggles in the red zone last season, look for Elliott to make his presence felt along the goal line on Saturday. 

Marte Mapu

Mapu jettisoned his red non-contact jersey and has been a full participant for both joint sessions. The Pats third-round rookie demonstrated his hard-hitting aggressiveness by delivering a hard hit on fellow first-year prospect and Packers tight end Tucker Kraft on Thursday. Still, Mapu’s greatest contribution comes from his lining up in various spots on the defensive side of the ball — albeit in a limited sample size. Though he is officially listed as a linebacker by the Patriots, he has played both an off-the-ball role next to Ja’Whaun Bentley, and the deep safety spot a few times as well. Mapu’s multi-faceted skill set should cause the Packers some uncertainty regarding his role on a given play. Accordingly, his versatility should be on full display against Green Bay. 

Kayshon Boutte

Though many of the Pats starters are expected to see limited minutes, Boutte may be in line to log a significant amount of playing time. The LSU product was one of the team’s standouts during both joint sessions, making catches both in the open field, as well as the red zone. At his best, he is an explosive big-play threat. The 6-0, 195-pounder possesses a sizable frame to make him tough to bring down after the catch. He also has an inherent speed to be elusive when changing direction. His ability to adjust his body to make contested catches is already catching the eye of New England's coaches. Should Boutte continue his trend in the right direction with a solid performance against the Packers, he may bolster his case to earn a roster spot.

Bonus: Sam Roberts

Roberts has been no stranger to overcoming adversity during his time on a football field. From his days at Northwest Missouri State, to his reserve duties with the Patriots, he has been competing with — and often beating—formidable blockers. That trend had continued into training camp, where Roberts continues to make a solid case for a spot within the team’s front seven. Building off a solid performance in the Pats 20-9 loss to the Houston Texans last week, as well as providing notable pressure during both joint sessions, Roberts should see meaningful snaps against a stout Packers offensive line. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots

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