The Patriots don't open the season for roughly another month when they host the Dolphins, so roster spots will change a great deal between now and then.
But speaking after practice Sunday, Kendrick Bourne may have revealed who the team plans on having as its top three receivers when asked about Nelson Agholor, who missed a few practices last week and did not dress for the preseason opener.
"Nelly’s getting better," Bourne said to reporters. "I don’t know really what he is dealing with but today he looked really good; it seemed like he’s back. Hopefully we can get him back out there for preseason, too. That would be dope – to see me, him and Jakobi. Kind of that’s the plan, it looks like, for going into Game 1. Hopefully we have everybody healthy.”
So, according to Bourne, the Patriots plan on having Agholor, Jakobi Meyers and himself as the top three receivers come the start of the season. This leaves N'Keal Harry, Gunner Olszewski, Kristian Wilkerson and Isaiah Zuber fighting for roster spots and/or playing time.
It's also worth noting since the Patriots have Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith there will be a lot of multiple tight end sets, which means the Patriots won't have many formations with three and four receivers.
What Bourne said doesn't come as a big surprise, but it is something to see play out over the final two preseason games.