There's no question the Patriots' lack of talent at wide receiver is holding the offense back in terms of the passing game, which it currently ranks 29th in the NFL.
But, speaking via video conference Tuesday when asked if the offense has “the appropriate weapons to be able to have success," offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels believes the team has enough to win.
“They work their butt off, and they’re doing what they can do each week to prepare and play their best,” he said. “I couldn’t ask any more of those guys with their attitude and effort and approach. I don’t worry about this, that and the other in terms of weapons and all that. We have enough people here to win, and we’ve got to do a better job of executing and putting those guys in positions to be productive.
“But they come in here and work their butt off every week, and they’ve all made plays and done things to help us win. And we have to do more of that as we move forward here in the last few weeks.”
Is he right?
It's really hard to say, as Troy Aikman put it perfectly on the FOX broadcast last week where the Patriots' wide receivers are all playing a slot above where they should. For instance, Jakobi Meyers is playing a WR 1/2 role of late, when really he's a WR 3/4.
Damiere Byrd is the Patriots' leading receiver with 42 receptions for 566 yards followed by Meyers with 42 catches for 505 yards. Those would be solid if they were the third and fourth receivers on the roster, but unfortunately that isn't the case. Meanwhile, N'Keal Harry has 29 receptions for 277 yards in 11 games.
It is worth noting Julian Edelman has been on injured reserve for the majority of the season, but even if he was playing, would the Patriots passing game be that much better?
The Patriots do not have a true No. 1 wide receiver and that's why it's hard to agree with McDaniels that the offense has enough at wide receiver to win.
New England will have a ton of money to spend this offseason and it's likely a top wide out is at the top of its wish list.
