FOXBORO — Sunday’s game against the Bills is the Patriots’ final chance to evaluate young talent before next season.

It seems that at least one high pick in the 2024 NFL Draft won’t be starting on Sunday, however.

Offensive line coach Scott Peters was asked if offensive tackle Caedan Wallace, a third-round pick who has started just one game this season, will be the team’s right tackle in Week 18.

“Coach has got the starters going,” Peters said, meaning Demontrey Jacobs will be at right tackle. “But Caedan’s done a nice job recently getting ready and showing improvement in practice.”

Peters did earlier note that Wallace, who made his return to the field Saturday after a long stint on injured reserve, would have a role on Sunday when asked if the team would like to see more from the Penn State product in the season finale.

“Well, that was always the goal,” Peters said. “Caedan had a difficult year in the sense that he got injured, kkind of a little hiatus there with the injury, which took him out, but he’s been back, and he’s done a really nice job. He’s really turned it on toward the end of the season. So really, some really promising things with Caedan, and hopefully he’ll get a chance to get a limited role, or maybe an additional role in the game.”

Jacobs, who was claimed off waivers from the Broncos at the end of August, has started 12 game this season at left and right tackle. He currently ranks last among 74 qualified offensive tackles with a 38.7 PFF grade.

Jacobs has perhaps proven that he can be a backup in the NFL, but the Patriots clearly viewed Wallace as a potential starter when they selected him 68th overall. This feels like a lost opportunity to see if he could be the team’s starting right tackle next season.

Another high draft pick, wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, has missed practice all week with a shoulder ailment, so it’s unlikely that the second-rounder will suit up against the Bills either. Assuming Polk sits, he’ll finish the season with 12 catches on 33 targets for 87 yards. He hasn’t caught a pass since Week 12.

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye is expected to start. Layden Robinson, a fourth-round pick, will likely continue to be the team’s starting left guard. Wide receiver Javon Baker, a fourth-round pick, cornerback Marcellas Dial and quarterback Joe Milton III, sixth-round picks, and tight end Jaheim Bell, a seventh-round pick, will likely have roles on Sunday.

Only Maye has truly shined this season. The Patriots’ next-best rookie has probably been undrafted safety Dell Pettus.