We're quickly barreling toward the start of the NFL season and the Patriots will take the next step of the summer on Thursday night when they kick off their preseason slate against the Carolina Panthers.

We've learned plenty about the new-look Pats over the course of 11 training camp practices, which included six sessions in full pads that have amped up the intensity often under hot and humid conditions.

But players, coaches and fans alike will welcome the arrival of some "real" football, despite the lack of ramifications and a likely liberal rotation among each team's 90 players. Even a preseason game can be far more telling than controlled training camp practices and Thursday night should provide a better evaluation of some of the team's most fluid position battles.

New Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed on Tuesday that plenty of Patriots will see action.

"Everyone who is healthy enough to play in the game, will play in the game," said Mayo, while also including all four of the team's quarterbacks in that mix.

With that in mind, here's a breakdown of positions and players to focus on as the football season escalates to its next step

1. Quarterbacks

Jacoby Brissett should be expected to start and play at least a series or two before giving way to Drake Maye, Joe Milton and Bailey Zappe. It might be a small sample from Brissett but stringing together a quality drive will be a positive development after the usual lack of truly live situational periods in camp. For the rookies, we'll get a glimpse at how well they're adjusting to the speed and complications of the NFL game. Drake Maye has done his best to remain in the pocket in practice as the coaching staff looks to develop his all-around game, but his intriguing athleticism is sure to be on display while facing a live pass rush. A "wow" play from Maye with his legs or off-platform and outside the pocket would be a nice reminder of his special talents. Similarly, Joe Milton will be looking to unload his cannon arm, but ideally, both rookies can show that they're progressing while playing within the structure of the offense, the hardest part of making the jump to the NFL. Not to be forgotten, Bailey Zappe should put his NFL experience to use and remind everyone that he's won games in the league.

2. Terrell Jennings

Jennings has been under the radar this camp but has started to flash over the last couple of practices. The undrafted rookie from Florida A&M had a career-high 673 rushing yards last season and forced 40 missed tackles, gaining 83.4 percent of his yards after contact and averaging 4.6 after yards per attempt per PFF, ranking him in the top five in this year's draft class. Most impressive, admittedly in small spurts, is how comfortable Jennings looks as a pass catcher. It's been a limited sample size in training camp, but preseason is the time for undrafted running backs to shine and Jennings should get plenty of chances against the Panthers.

3. Vederian Lowe and Calvin Anderson

Injury attrition has started to add up at one of the Patriots most uncertain position groups. With Chuks Okorafor stuck watching but not participating in the last few practices and Caeden Wallace briefly leaving Tuesday's session, the Patriots could be playing with just four tackles on Thursday night -- a top duo of Vederian Lowe and Calvin Anderson, and back-ups Zuri Henry and Kellen Diesch. Wallace did return to practice on Tuesday so perhaps he'll be able to suit up and provide some critical depth. Michael Onwenu has been a fixture at guard but could slide back to tackle if needed, but it's a little early in the preseason to already be moving guys around. Ultimately it could be a good thing if Lowe and Anderson stay healthy and get some quality snaps. The team will likely be counting on at least one of them when the regular season arrives and preseason game reps should help them continue their development. Who knows, maybe even Diesch or Henry put together a solid game and give the team another option to consider going forward this summer.

4. Mitchell Wilcox

Wilcox has seen a lot of action during training camp as the team's de facto third tight end behind Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper and has a real shot at a roster spot if he makes the most of the preseason. The offense could use a third blocking tight end, so Wilcox's most intriguing work could come on running plays. However, he's also been targeted a lot across multiple position groups this summer and has some balance to his game. Henry and Hooper are valuable known commodities and will likely be protected, leaving Wilcox, along with La'Michael Pettway, Jaheim Bell and Jacob Warren to play plenty of snaps. Bellj ust returned to practice this week and made an outstanding catch in Tuesday's session, he just might be the most intriguing member of the group if he's able to go.

5. Kayshon Boutte

Boutte has had a good camp and made a fair share of plays primarily as an outside receiver, including two outstanding contested catches in Tuesday's practice. He and Jalen Reagor are often hard to tell apart when their practice jerseys are rolled up, obscuring the no. 80 and no. 83. Both offer some intriguing speed that has translated into the AVP offense and both have been among the team's most active receivers in camp. As a second-year player, Boutte still has unknown potential and the preseason will be a chance to continue building on a strong spring and summer.

6. Marcellas Dial

Dial is another rookie that has been showing up in recent padded practices and,with injuries hitting the cornerback position, opportunity is rising behind starters Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones. Dial came up with his first interception of training camp on Tuesday and is a feisty defender. The sole drafted rookie defender, along with young vets Shaun Wade, Alex Austin, Marco Wilson, and Isaiah Bolden should lead the way at cornerback against Carolina, all with opportunities to make the team. Mikey Victor and Azizi Hearn will be in the mix as well, as heavy rotation in practice should translate to playing time for all in the group.

7. Jaylinn Hawkins

Hawkins has been one of the most involved newcomers on the defense. Injuries to the safety group helped expand his reps and he's made the most of them, showing up in last Saturday's practice with an interception, a PBU and a would-be tackle-for-loss. Hawkins is a balanced safety but one who played more on the back end during his time as a starter in Atlanta. Jerod Mayo already said Hawkins will play a lot in the preseason and that will start against the Panthers, especially as the team looks to protect critical veterans Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers.

8. Oshane Ximines

While Matthew Judon's contract situation remains unresolved it puts extra focus on the pass rushers providing depth behind him. While Keion White, Joshua Uche and Anfernee Jennings all have edge experience, Ximines is more of an unknown commodity after playing in a blitz-heavy scheme with the Giants. You can never have too much pass rush and Ximines is the top edge candidate to provide a boost getting after the passer. He plays with 110 percent intensity and that could very translate to preseason production.

9. Ja'Lynn Polk & Javon Baker

There's a lot to consider at the wide receiver position, but the easiest place to start is with the two rookie receivers. Polk has arguably been the team's most consistent receiver in camp. He has strong hands and has flashed the same kind of ability to make tough catches in traffic that he did at Washington. Baker hasn't quite stacked the same production in full team drills, but his athleticism stands out in individual drills and he made an outstanding acrobatic catch on Tuesday, laying out for a pass from Brissett in the end zone. Like Polk, it was the kind of play Baker made consistently in college and it's a good sign that he's carrying it over to the pros. The best thing for the Patriots offense, along with development of the offensive line, is finding receivers who can move the needle and so far, both Polk and Baker have shown a lot of promise. The duo will be a must-watch whenever they take the field against the Panthers.

10. DL Depth

The Pats brought in Mike Purcell this week and the big man saw plenty of run defense snaps during Monday's ground-heavy session. His presence was a reminder that things are still a bit uncertain without Christian Barmore in the mix. Daniel Ekuale is a prime candidate to rise up the depth chart, while Armon Watts and youngsters Jeremiah Pharms, Sam Roberts, Trysten Hill and Josiah Bronson will be looking to stand out. While it seems like early-downs are in good hands, replacing at least part of Barmore's disruption is a huge question. Some quality pressures or sacks from some of the lesser-known defensive linemen would be a good sign that the team might have an answer in-house.

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