FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — It sure seems as if New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is going to sit most of the team’s starters through the whole preseason, leaving their first in-game snaps for the season opener in Seattle.That meant Drake Maye, A.J. Brown and other key players were on the bench for the Patriots’ 24-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night. After the starters didn’t play in the first two preseason games, it would be shocking if they saw action in the preseason finale in Cleveland next Thursday night. That game will be much more about those on the roster bubble.Why would Vrabel not want to see his starters on the field?“I don’t think we have a very deep team,” Vrabel said bluntly, suggesting he didn’t want to expose Maye or Brown to the possibility of injury. “So we have to make sure that … we’re doing everything that we can to keep our best players available.”So while Saturday night may not have seen any action from the big names, it offered clarity as to how the roster will shake out with cuts coming by the evening of Aug. 30. Here is a look at the players who made good impressions, and the ones who are headed the wrong direction in the final few days before the 53-man roster is set.Top Plays from Eagles @ PatriotsRisersBehren Morton, QBSurely Vrabel — a player who moonlighted at tight end during his career as a linebacker — can appreciate a guy who can play in multiple phases.On Saturday, Morton showcased his arm and leg, serving as a quarterback and punter.As a high schooler in Texas, Morton primarily played quarterback and safety, but he also served as a kicker and punter. Against the Eagles, Morton showed that he’s not half bad with his leg, averaging 44.3 yards on three punts. The Pats used Morton there because punter Bryce Baringer “wasn’t feeling great” after his first two punts.More importantly, Morton had some nice moments at quarterback, completing 13 of 17 passes for 129 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown to Nick DeGennaro for the go-ahead score with 57 seconds remaining.Efton Chism III, WRThe receiver entered Saturday night’s game on the right side of the roster bubble and seemed to solidify that positioning. Given his ability to back up DeMario Douglas (not to mention Douglas’ risk of injury given his size), Chism is likely one of seven wide receivers who will be on the 53-man roster.Chism again showed his craftiness from the slot and his ability as a punt returner. At this point, it’s unlikely the Patriots could sneak him onto the practice squad, which makes a roster spot seem close to assured.Chism caught all four of his targets for 45 yards while adding a 16-yard punt return and serving as one of the in-game captains for the opening coin toss.Kindle Vildor, CBThe competition for the final few spots at cornerback remains open, but Saturday, Vildor showed why he deserves to stay.In the first half, he stepped in front of an Andy Dalton pass for an interception, though the play came back after Gabe Jacas was flagged for roughing the passer. But Vildor didn’t get discouraged.A couple of plays later, he broke on his receiver to perfectly break up a pass on third-and-10. Vrabel greeted him on the sideline with a big high five.Namdi Obiazor, LBThe rookie linebacker seems to be making a positive impression on coaches, considering his playing time in practice continues to increase and he has even gotten some run with the starters.Obiazor seemed to be out of position on one swing pass against the Eagles. But with the pass defense he played on a breakup in the end zone on fourth down, it’s not hard to see why coaches think he has plenty of potential and believe he can contribute on special teams.