Over the next couple weeks, WEEI.com will take a position-by-position look at the Patriots rebuilt roster heading into training camp 2021. What’s the depth chart look like? What’s the biggest question at each position? How might the competition at each spot unfold this summer under Bill Belichick’s watchful eye? Today we focus on a somewhat bolstered but still very questionable wide receiver position.
Wide Receiver
Roster: Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, N’Keal Harry, Gunner Olszewski, Matthew Slater, Kristian Wilkerson, Isaiah Zuber, Marvin Hall, Tre Nixon, Devin Ross, Devin Smith
Key Additions: Agholor (FA, Raiders), Bourne (FA, 49ers)
Key Losses: Julian Edelman (Retired), Damiere Byrd (FA, Bears)
Predicted Starters: Agholor, Meyers
Notes: Agholor joins New England on a two-year, $22 million contract that included $16 million guaranteed. … The former Philadelphia first-round pick had maybe his best NFL season last fall with the Raiders, catching 48 passes for 896 yards for an impressive 18.7-yard average with eight touchdowns. … Bourne arrives from the 49ers on a three-year, $15 million contract with $7.25 million guaranteed. … Bourne had career highs with 49 catches for 667 yards to go along with a pair of touchdowns last season in San Francisco. … The former undrafted free agent Meyers led the Patriots last season with 59 catches for 729 yards. … Though the former QB did not catch a touchdown pass, he did throw a pair on his only two passes of the season. … Harry had a career-best 33 catches for 309 yards (9.4 avg.) with a pair of touchdowns in 2020. … The former first-round pick has just 45 catches for 414 yards with four touchdowns in two disappointing seasons in New England. … An All-Pro punt returner, the third-year former undrafted free agent Olszewski had just five catches for 23 yards last fall. … Meyers’ 59 receptions were the fewest by a Patriots team leader since David Givens’ 56 catches in 2004.
Biggest Question: Is Nelson Agholor worth his paycheck and capable of being the Patriots No. 1 WR?
Snapshot Analysis: Some of the Patriots' least productive positions from a year ago – tight end, defensive front seven, quarterback – have seemingly been greatly upgraded or at least been given an injection of hope heading into 2021. Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily the case at wide receiver.
The position struggled last year, especially after Julian Edelman was lost to a knee injury that eventually forced the franchise legend into retirement.
Arguably the biggest reason for New England’s lackluster receiver depth chart – an argument can be made the Patriots have the worst group of wide receivers in the NFL for the second straight season – is Harry’s failure to develop into a consistent weapon as a former first-round pick. The reality is that New England seemingly has a collection of complementary targets but lacks high-end options at receiver. With that in mind, Bill Belichick invested part of his spring free agent spending spree at the position. Agholor got a curious contract coming off a rebound season in Las Vegas that was good but not great. Over the course of his career he’s been a disappointment as a former first-round pick himself, but maybe that will change for the speedster in New England’s offense. Bourne was solid over four seasons in San Francisco, but it remains to be seen whether he’s capable of taking on a larger role in Foxborough. Meyers lacks elite measurables, but finds a way to get open and catch the football with regularity. Still, there seems to be some hesitancy from the team to truly count him to be a core contributor. Beyond that, the position is wide open (figuratively, not literally on the field) and full of questions. Olszewski is an All-Pro as a punt returner but is he in line to be more than that as a receiver option? Can anyone from the mix of veterans, practice squad types and youngsters step up and surprise? The unfortunate reality is that the wide receiver spot could be a disappointing, forgotten part of the New England offense again in 2021. And the position will continue to be one in need of a talent upgrade this summer, throughout the season and likely into next offseason.
Position Rating: Poor