3 must-watch players in Patriots' preseason finale vs. Giants

It's do-or-get-cut for many players on the New England Patriots' roster this week as they enter their final week of preseason action before the team is shaved down to 53 men this upcoming weekend. The fourth preseason game will be an opportunity for players on the roster bubbles to try and shy one last time, which they will try and do against this week's opponent, the New York Giants.

Let's take a look at three players you must-watch Thursday night, as they could shine once more this preseason and make a strong statement to make the regular season roster.

1) Gunner Olszewski, WR

Despite the fact that the Patriots' wide receiver group was one of the deepest and most competitive heading into the preseason, it was made clear relatively quick who would sit atop the depth chart. Unfortunately for the players on the bottom of the depth chart, they were pushed even farther down by players that either didn't play at all or very little in August (Josh Gordon, Demaryius Thomas, Julian Edelman, N'Keal Harry).

If New England is to keep another receiver on the roster heading into the regular season, it will likely be just one, outside of the aforementioned wideouts, Phillip Dorsett and Jakobi Meyers. Who better to keep than a raw talent, who has proven in the preseason that he could take over the punt return duties previously held by the aging Edelman? That would be Gunner Olszewski.

As a D-II product, Olszewski has had the hardest path since joining the Patriots, transitioning from a cornerback in college to a wide receiver in the NFL, and yet may have the best chance of the remaining wideouts (Dontrelle Inman, Ryan Davis, Braxton Berrios, and Damoun Patterson) to make the 53-man roster. His ability as a receiver is something to be desire and is for sure a work in progress. But his vision and quickness as a returner were displayed in Week 3 of the preseason vs. the Panthers (four returns, 63 yards).

Limiting Edelman's action on the field at 33 years old may be a smart idea for New England if they want him to be effective well into his 30s. To do that, it means handing over the punt return duties to someone else. Keep an eye on the special teams vs. New York; Olszewski has the potential to break a couple big returns out for big gains and run his way onto the regular season roster.

2) Jarrett Stidham, QB

Rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham has shined during the month of August. Through three preseason games, Stidham has completed 69 percent of his passes (43-of-62) for 506 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He has played so well, in fact, that he may push veteran QB Brian Hoyer off the depth chart will a final strong showing in the team's preseason finale Thursday night.

Hoyer has played well in the preseason as well (18-of-22, 201 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) but his lack of upside makes one think it's a no brainer for New England to part ways with him and choose the Auburn product they used a fourth round pick on this offseason.

Stidham is slated get a lot of playing time against the Giants since Tom Brady will not play and the Patriots already know what they have in Hoyer. That means it could be the first entire game we see the rookie play in his young career. If that's the case, then he could have a huge stat line against second and third string players on New York's defense.

If Stidham wants to solidify his spot on the roster as Brady's backup he cannot show regression in the preseason finale. Watch his play very closely.

3) Byron Cowart, DT

Now that Mike Pennel has been released by New England, that makes the chances of the other defensive tackles making the 53-man roster. Of the three who are on the roster bubble with one week left of preseason action (David Parry, Ufomba Kamalu, Byron Cowart) it looks like Coward could be the one to win the competition for the fourth d-tackle roster spot behind Lawrence Guy, Danny Shelton, and Adam Butler.

The fifth-round rookie out of Maryland has been strong during the preseason (six tackles, 1.5 sacks) and could prove to be another late round gem for the Patriots. Cowart will get a lot of reps against the Daniel Jones-led offense of the Giants, so expect him to try and get to the No. 6 overall pick early and often as he tries to stick out on the film and give Bill Belichick and the coaching staff no need for hesitation when deciding if he should make the 53-man roster.

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