After two somewhat successful preseason matchups at home, the New England Patriots now head to Huntington Bank Field to take on the Cleveland Browns. It's both teams' final preseason game of the year, and with the NFL's "Cutdown Day" looming to lock in a team's 53-man roster, it's a pivotal game, for that matter.

There are some players who are a lock for the Patriots in 2026, some who still need improvement, but we'll still see them in the regular season on the team's sidelines, roster bubble players, and those who may play all four quarters on Thursday night because they are in dire need to make the team.

There is no doubt that Kyle Williams will be a New England Patriot in 2026, but we've been shocked before by roster moves. However, despite a thrilling 69-yard touchdown last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, Williams only finished the game with two catches for 74 yards. That means his only other catch was for five yards, besides his touchdown.

Look for Williams to bounce back after the dust has now settled on the Kayshon Boutte trade. More is expected of him now to be more versatile rather than a serious threat. This sort of style of play as a wideout is what players like Julian Edelman made a career out of. Williams can too if he locks in and makes a year-two jump.

There was a time in training camp when Chad Muma felt like the rotational backup for Christian Elliss and Robert Spillane. He had the green dot on his helmet at times, and it seemed like this was just destiny in an already thin linebackers room. Times can change quickly.

Muma hasn't shown much on the field in-game, though; let's also add that he's banged up. He left the Eagles game late with an injury but is expected to play against the Browns. Muma's missed tackles and lack of quickness to "see ball, get ball" have put him on the roster bubble. Expect to see him out on the field a lot against the Browns.

The Patriots' rookie QB3 came to play last week against the Eagles. Morton went 13 of 17 for 129 yards and had a late-game winning drive with a 37-yard game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Nick DeGennaro with under a minute to go. Still, there is a case to be made that Morton could be bumped down to the practice squad and the Patriots would keep just two QBs on the sidelines on Sunday.

Tommy DeVito has proven to be a stable QB2 option for the Patriots behind Drake Maye, based on his game management in the preseason and the fact that they re-signed him in free agency and moved him up from the QB3 spot he held last season. Expect a lot out of Morton Thursday against the Browns to prove he needs to dress for games on Sunday. Even if it's by showing off his punting skills.

With Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis leading the way in the cornerback room, free agent signee Kindle Vildor sits at the back of it due to where he currently stands on the depth chart. Thursday night could prove he can solidify a spot on the roster.

Vildor had an interception against the Colts and could have had another one against the Eagles if it weren't for a penalty that got called back. He's had numerous pass breakups throughout his two on-field appearances. The cornerback room is deep, with Charles Woods and Marcus Jones in there as stiff competition. Vildor has made a case for himself, though. Thursday night against the Browns could prove if the Patriots decide to keep him.

Patriots running back Lan Larison has been a favorite of the Patriots Roundtable Podcast all offseason. There was a time when it seemed like he was a lock for RB3 before preseason really went into full swing. Then rookie Jam Miller had a good night against the Colts, running for 14 carries, 55 yards, and a 3.9 average per carry.

Larison answered against the Eagles the following week with 128 all-purpose yards, a touchdown, a critical fourth, and one opportunity that he pulled off after it looked like it was going south. With a season-ending injury last year that he's bounced back from, and just how good he's looked in training camp, the RB3 position is the second-year running back’s position to lose, and tonight he could lock in the roster spot for good.

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