With Patriots camp set to open Thursday, we wanted to reset the roster at each position and give you a few things we’ll be keeping an eye on down in Foxborough. So far, we've previewed the quarterbacks, running backs, and tight ends. In this segment, we break down the receivers.
To be fair, we covered a lot of this here and here, but it’s worth taking a look at the whole picture at the position at the dawn of camp. Without Julian Edelman in the fold for the first four games and Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks now elsewhere, there will be an opportunity for someone to get extra targets. Could it be Jordan Matthews? You have to believe Kenny Britt and Phillip Dorsett will benefit from a full offseason in the New England system. Holdover Chris Hogan represents some continuity, and hopes are high for newcomers Cordarrelle Patterson and Braxton Berrios. But it's going to be fascinating to see how it all comes together.
No. 1: Julian Edelman
Position: Z slot with Flex abilities.
The good: Eminently reliable when he’s on the field, Edelman has proven himself to be one of the most productive receivers in recent league history — he was one of five receivers who had 350 catches or more between 2013 and 2016. I’m not sure there’s anyone who has ever done more to earn the trust of the quarterback, especially in big situations.
The questionable: How will he respond to spending all last season on the shelf? Will the knee be an issue? And will he be able to seamlessly integrate back into the passing game when he returns from his four-game suspension?
Skinny: I’d brace for a (relatively) slow start for Edelman, who probably won’t hit the same sort of marks he might have reached a few years ago where he had 90-plus receptions three times in a four-year span. But my bet is he’s back to something close to 100 percent by the time Halloween rolls around.
No. 2: Chris Hogan
Position: X with Z qualities and ability to play Flex.
The good: An underrated deepish threat who has averaged almost 16 yards per catch the last two seasons, Hogan has played multiple spots within the New England passing game and done well at each spot. A veteran who has earned the trust of the quarterback, Hogan (who will turn 30 in October) is heading into a contract year looking to make a big offensive splash in hopes of landing what could he his last serious payday.
The questionable: His shoulder was never right after an October injury against the Chargers — is he capable of regaining that sort of durability that saw him play at least 15 games a year the previous four seasons? In the last year of his deal, will he allow his contract situation to become a distraction? (His agent has already said he’s looking to get Hogan “a gigantic bag [of cash]” when it comes to free agency. Wonder how that statement went over inside Gillette Stadium?)
Skinny: If he’s back to 100 percent health wise, Hogan projects as a good complementary piece of the New England passing game who will likely be asked to do a little more at the start of the season with Edelman on the shelf. But that shoulder bears watching.
No. 3: Kenny Britt
Position: X boundary receiver
The good: Looked like he was chiseled out of granite when he showed up in the spring before he appeared to tweak something. (It didn’t look to be too serious.) If he’s bought in, he could be a valuable presence in multiple packages, particularly as an oversized red-zone target. (And especially if Malcolm Mitchell isn’t able to go out of the gate.)
The questionable: We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes with Britt, a guy who has worn out his welcome at multiple stops before he landed in Foxborough late last season. Can he keep it together off the field as he tries to reclaim his career? On the field, can he be explosive enough to get separation as needed?
Skinny: If everything comes together and he looks like he did for the first portion of the spring workouts, Britt has the potential to be a contributor to the 2018 Patriots. At the same time, his future could be tied to others at the position. All he can do at this point? Continue stacking success and work to improve every day. But he enters camp as one of the more compelling figures on the roster.
No. 4: Jordan Matthews
Position: Flex inside receiver with some Z abilities.
The good: Had crazy numbers his first two seasons with the Eagles, but dropped off shortly after that. Considered a terrific locker-room presence, he’s engaging with the media, and clearly a really smart guy. Given his past experience in the slot, he could be in line for an increased workload over the first four games without Edelman in the lineup.
The questionable: Was he production early in his career the product of a high-volume passing system? Is he completely healthy after struggling with multiple injuries the last couple of years? As a newcomer, can he get on the same page with the quarterback?
Skinny: We went in-depth on him here, with one of the biggest takeaways being the fact Matthews must have the approval of Bill Belichick’s buddy Chip Kelly, because no coach got more out of him than old Chip. An intriguing newcomer who will get his chance to show what he can do when camp gets underway.
No. 5: Phillip Dorsett
Position: X with some Flex ability.
The good: After being acquired just before the start of the regular season, Dorsett did everything that was asked of him, playing multiple spots and showing himself to be a more-than-willing blocker. A speedster who could be up for more chances now that Cooks is out of the picture, he made a couple of impressive catches in the postseason, which could be a sign of things to come.
The questionable: He’s small, which could prove to be a long-term issue against bigger cornerbacks on the outside. No special teams value could be an issue if he finds himself in a battle for a roster spot.
Skinny: If everything works out, Dorsett could be the home-run hitter in this offseason, a deep threat capable of opening things up underneath for the likes of Edelman and Rob Gronkowski. But starting with Dorsett, the middle-to-back end of the wide receiver depth chart could be in flux between now and the start of the regular season.
No. 6: Riley McCarron
Position: Z slot
The good: His background in Houston with Bill O’Brien gives him a leg up on some other youngsters. His slot receiver experience could come into play over the first four games without Edelman. And his special teams’ value could be an important factor in the race for a roster spot.
The questionable: Is he capable of running with the No. 1 offense? Can he show the toughness needed to survive an extended stretch in the slot if needed?
Skinny: After Amendola’s departure, we took a closer look at McCarron here. There’s a lot to like about him, but needs to be able to distinguish himself consistently in several areas if he wants to hang around the 53-man roster for a full season.
No. 7: Malcolm Mitchell
Position: X boundary receiver with some Flex.
The good: Great rookie year where he earned the trust of the quarterback on a number of occasions, including the Super Bowl. Good technique, particularly his hands and feet. If everything works, has a chance to be a Deion Branch-type.
The questionable: The knee. He was out all last year, and it leaves him a wild card at the dawn of camp, which impacts a number of other players at the same position.
Skinny: The feeling here is he starts camp on PUP. He’s one of the truly great stories on the New England roster the last few years. But it’s getting increasingly harder to remain optimistic about his long-term chances.
No. 8: Cordarrelle Patterson
Position: X receiver/speciality package guy
The good: Incredibly fast with good hands. When he gets the ball in space, he’s capable of being an electrifying presence. Most of his best work the last couple of years came on quick outs and screen passes, but he was really reliable with that sort of work: since the start of the 2016 season, only two wide receivers have 80 or more catches and a catch rate of 73 percent or better in the regular season: Patterson and some guy named Amendola.
The questionable: Can he function on a play-to-play basis in the New England offense, or is he more of a gadget-sort of guy who is limited offensively?
Skinny: We went long on his impact here, but right now, he's probably more of a special teamer than wide receiver. That being said, his speed is tremendous. He’ll make a terrific kick returner for this team, but I wouldn’t look for him to necessarily be a focal point of the passing game.
No. 9: Cody Hollister
Position: X with some Flex.
The good: Good practice squadder last year who might be capable of providing some depth at a key spot, especially in the early going. Good size and good hands.
The questionable: Behind multiple guys on the depth chart, and likely needs several things to break his way if he wants to land a spot on the final 53-man roster.
Skinny: Practice squadder.
No. 10: Braxton Berrios
Position: Z slot.
The good: Terrific production as a slot receiver and punt returner in college, his skill set and background suggest Edelman, circa 2009. Smart guy who was the ACC’s top scholar-athlete last year.
The questionable: Is all that enough to give him an edge? It wouldn't necessarily his fault, but he might be stuck in between come cutdown day — too good to get through to the practice squad, but not quite good enough for the 53-man roster.
Skinny: He’s going to have to show something this summer to be able to stick around Foxborough. But Edelman’s absence, his special-teams value and his smarts could be enough. His old coach certainly isn’t betting against him.