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Patriots Stock Watch: Larison rising, Lomu overmatched after preseason

After two preseason games, Patriots Stock Watch shows risers (Lan Larison, Kindle Vildor, Behren Morton) and concerns (Caleb Lomu, Gabe Jacas) as the Aug. 30 53-man cut looms.

Trevor Langford
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Patriots Stock Watch: Larison rising, Lomu overmatched after preseason - New England Patriots


Patriots Stock Watch: Larison rising, Lomu overmatched after preseason

Patriots Stock Watch: after two preseason games in Foxborough the picture is clearer — a few players have surged while others raised concerns as the Aug. 30 6 p.m. ET deadline to reach a 53-man roster approaches. Based on a Boston.com game review, top risers include Lan Larison, Kindle Vildor and Behren Morton; key concerns are Caleb Lomu, Gabe Jacas, James Hudson and Chad Muma. This summary uses play-by-play evidence and coach quotes reported by Boston.com and frames what it might mean heading into final roster decisions.

Top takeaways

  • Lan Larison flashed as a multi-purpose back with 33 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries and three catches for 41 yards vs. Philadelphia (Boston.com).
  • Kindle Vildor delivered an interception in the opener and added multiple pass breakups against the Eagles (Boston.com).
  • Caleb Lomu was tested on a second-quarter sequence that culminated in a sack of Tommy DeVito and at times looked overmatched (Boston.com).
  • Gabe Jacas committed a roughing-the-passer penalty that wiped out a Vildor interception; his availability this summer has been uneven (Boston.com).
  • Behren Morton completed 13-of-17 passes for 129 yards and a late touchdown, showing late-game composure (Boston.com).

Patriots Stock Watch — Top risers

Lan Larison made the clearest empirical case for an expanded depth role. Against the Eagles he totaled 33 rushing yards with a touchdown on nine carries and added three receptions for 41 yards. Head coach Mike Vrabel singled out a fourth-and-1 conversion and Larison’s toughness late, saying, “It is fourth-and-1, and he gets hit behind the line of scrimmage and finds a way to get the first down… he did some good things.” Those plays underscore Larison’s special-teams potential and pass-catching upside behind the top backs, which strengthens his case for an RB3 role or active gameday snap package (Boston.com).

Kindle Vildor continued to build a roster case with coverage plays: an interception in the opener and multiple pass breakups against Philadelphia. Boston.com credited his consistent coverage work across the two games; for a corner fighting for depth minutes, those turnovers and pass defenses matter.

Behren Morton gave another example of late-game poise. The rookie completed 13-of-17 attempts for 129 yards and delivered a go-ahead touchdown late in the game. Boston.com noted the composure on that drive — traits that can boost a developmental backup QB’s standing, especially as an emergency option in Year 1.

Patriots Stock Watch — Concerns and falling stock

Caleb Lomu showed promising traits but also vulnerability. Boston.com described a second-quarter sequence where Lomu was overmatched and a pressure/sack resulted on Tommy DeVito; while he handled many snaps adequately, the sequence raises questions about his readiness for extended starting reps if injuries occur early in the season.

Edge defender gabe jacas had a mixed showing. He was flagged for roughing-the-passer on a play that wiped out a Vildor interception. Boston.com also notes Jacas missed some off-season availability related to a contract dispute — factors that complicate his short-term roster stock. Vrabel’s assessment (below) emphasized effort but called out inconsistency.

James Hudson struggled with two holding penalties and allowed pressure that led to a sack, per Boston.com. Those interior-line lapses raise real questions about his ability to secure an active roster spot when the team weighs veteran dependability against upside.

Chad Muma left late in the game with an apparent injury after being beaten on a run and surrendering a coverage completion earlier. Boston.com flagged the exit as an apparent injury; that remains unconfirmed and should be treated as such pending official medical updates.

Patriots Stock Watch: Risers vs. Fallers (Quick Reference)

What this means for the 53-man cutdown

Teams must finalize 53-player rosters by Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. ET; these preseason samples matter but are not definitive. Performances like Larison’s and Vildor’s improve a player’s odds, while penalties and protection issues pull others back. Expect the most jockeying around RB3, backup QB, interior offensive line depth and special-teams standouts. Final decisions will factor practice reps, special-teams value, medical updates and overall positional balance. Any projection before official announcements should be treated as tentative.

Coach quotes and source attribution

On Larison, Mike Vrabel said: “It is fourth-and-1, and he gets hit behind the line of scrimmage and finds a way to get the first down… he did some good things.”

On Gabe Jacas, Vrabel said: “I think just still inconsistent… I think that the effort is certainly there. The willingness. He’s a very coachable player. We’re just putting a lot on him right now as far as special teams… We have to be able to see what he can do.”

Game details and quotes above are drawn from the Boston.com report (Aug. 23, 2026). Source: Boston.com.

What to watch next

  • Thursday’s preseason game in Cleveland: final snaps for bubble players could be decisive; watch how Larison, Jacas and Hudson are used.
  • Special-teams performance and any coaches’ commentary — those units often decide the final roster bubble.
  • Official injury reports for updates on Chad Muma; treat early reports as apparent until medical confirmation.
  • Late-week practice notes and depth-chart hints from Mike Vrabel and staff that could foreshadow the Aug. 30 cut decisions.

We will update this Patriots Stock Watch as official roster moves, injury reports and additional coach comments become available.

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