Danny Etling, QB: The quarterback position in New England is seemingly set with Tom Brady the pure No. 1 and Brian Hoyer likely locked into the backup job. So seeing what Etling can do in game action against Washington may be the most interesting aspect of the position on Thursday night. The rookie has shown incremental improvement in camp, but now he must do it under the game lights.

J.C. Jackson, DB: There are jobs and roster spots to be won at cornerback and Jackson looks to be very much in the mix based on solid practice action. The undrafted rookie now gets the chance to show his stuff in game action, the next step in the process of proving himself roster-ready.

Derek Rivers, DE: After missing his rookie season to a torn ACL, last year's top pick is almost a forgotten man on the edge of the defense. It would be good to see him flash a bit to reintroduce himself, even if it's against the Redskins backup offensive linemen.

Mike Gillislee (left) and Jeremy Hill (right), RB: Gillislee would probably like to kick off his second year in New England in playmaking fashion after a forgettable 2017. Hill will be debuting in a Patriots uniform. The two veterans may be competing for a single roster spot, so anything they do against the Redskins and moving forward will be very much worth watching.

Corey Bojorquez, P: The undrafted rookie punter has a powerful left leg but has struggled with consistency in training camp, especially in 11-on-11 drills. Thursday night will be his first chance to show his stuff in front of an NFL crowd in live game action as he tries to push veteran Ryan Allen for the punting job.

Alex Smith, QB: The veteran got bumped out of Kansas City by a younger gun and will now try to prove his value as Kirk Cousins' replacement as he makes his debut in a Washington uniform. Smith is far from a gunslinger but is a proven winner, which the Patriots saw firsthand in last fall's regular season opener in Foxborough.

Derrius Guice, RB: After slipping into the second round last April, the LSU rookie is opening eyes with his impressive abilities in Washington. Guice is already considered the starter for the Redskins and has drawn high praise from teammates in an era where rookie backs are once again making instant impacts.

Geron Christian, T: The third-round rookie tackle out of Louisville has had a strong camp and may get the starting nod in place of the veteran left tackle Trent Williams on Thursday night. Christian will deal with a young, retooled Patriots pass rush.

Tim Settle, DL: Late-round nose tackles aren't exactly sexy. But Settle has been impressive on the practice field this summer. Now he'll look to take that to the preseason game field against a pretty veteran, experienced New England group of backup linemen.

Trey Quinn, WR: On draft weekend the SMU receiver was notable only in that he was Mr. Irrelevant. But the guy who once pitched a no-hitter in the Little League World Series should get a lot of run Thursday night and is making a bid to steal a Redskins roster spot.