In a summer full of intrigue – and rising expectations – one position group on the revamped New England Patriots is sure to fascinate: the wide receivers.
It’s been six years since a Patriots receiver recorded 1,000 yards in a season. In the time since Julian Edelman had 1,117 yards, there was a worldwide pandemic, two presidential elections, and roughly 120 Taylor Swift song releases. The Patriots have fired two coaches and drafted two first-round quarterbacks.
Will this be the year somebody finally breaks the Beli-hex that has hung over Foxborough since Tom Brady’s departure? If Drake Maye is to flourish in his second year, the room is going to have to make a serious leap from 2024.
The Patriots’ passing game finished last season in the league basement. They had an NFL-worst total of just 3,343 passing/receiving yards, and the second-fewest passing touchdowns (18). It was the second consecutive year the team finished in the bottom five for both those stats, despite multiple changes at quarterback.
The Patriots listed a dozen receivers on their roster as of Tuesday.
There will likely be six spots for wideouts come September.
Head coach Mike Vrabel called that full room typical before the practice open to the media this week.
“would say that 31 other teams are going to have 11 or 12 wide receivers at this point in time. So, everybody's room is full. There’s 11 or 12. I would say that the players that aren't available need to make sure that they're doing everything they can to stay up mentally and continue to work hard to get back,” he said. “The young players that are coming onto this roster have to earn a role. The ones that are returning have a clean slate to go and compete, whether that's a carryover position from last year or a new position.
We're very early on in the process, but we need that group to compete and have a willingness to go out there and help the quarterback through this spring process.”
Fair enough, but break down the real situation in that room, and there will be serious competition in training camp. Free agents Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins just arrived in Foxborough, so there’s two spots filled.
DeMario Douglas had some dubious route-running last year but still has pop in the slot, so pencil him in. The Patriots just drafted Kyle Williams in the third round, and he got a lot of time on the field in 11 vs. 11s with Maye during Tuesday’s practice. After that, it gets muddy. Kayshon Boutte showed real progress last year but could be an enticing trade piece. Kendrick Bourne was never quite right after returning from his ACL tear last season. He could be on the trade block, as well. Ja’Lynn Polk had a bad rookie season, but his second-round draft status may keep him on the roster. That’s already seven names before considering Javon Baker, who was unable to catch on beyond special teams last year, or Efton Chism III, who’s sure to be a fan favorite in August.
There’s also still questions about how these pass catchers will fit in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ system. Douglas sounded enthusiastic about playing inside at Tuesday’s practice, but will Diggs come to dominate that spot? Will Williams be the X receiver the Patriots have lacked since perhaps, Randy Moss, (to be clear – not saying Williams will be Mossing people, just the type)? If McDaniels sees Polk in the old Jakobi Meyers role, is he up to that type of volume targeting, given his struggles last year?
The best-case scenario for New England would be if a younger player, like Williams or Polk, was able to develop into a No. 1 receiver. It would be cost-beneficial and helpful to Maye to have someone to develop the offensive alongside, organically, and it would also relieve some pressure from Diggs as he attempts a comeback from his own ACL injury. Diggs could then operate as the veteran setting the standard, even if he’s under 800 receiving yards, because he’d be a productive supporting piece.
Maye cannot rely simply on a one-two punch from the running backs, just as he can’t target Austin Hooper or Hunter Henry for every third-down conversion. Every other position group on the roster cannot make up for wideouts who average under 700 receiving yards per season. The Patriots have quantities of wide receivers since 2019. It’s time to show quality.