With the Patriots’ 2018 season done, we’re going to take a look back at the team by position, and provide a few thoughts as to what they might need at that spot moving forward. We started at running back. Next up, it’s wide receivers.
2018 depth chart: Julian Edelman (74 catches, 850 yards, 6 TDs), Chris Hogan (35 catches, 532 yards, 3 TDs), Phillip Dorsett (32 catches, 290 yards, 3 TDs), Cordarrelle Patterson (21 catches, 247 yards, 3 TDs), Josh Gordon (40 catches, 720 yards, 3 TDs).
Contract status: Edelman (signed through 2019), Hogan (free agent), Dorsett (free agent), Patterson (free agent), Gordon (suspended indefinitely).
Overview:
Yeah, seeing that list above really drives things home, doesn’t it? The one real area of stability the franchise had at receiver over the last couple of years — position coach Chad O’Shea — is off to Miami. Of the four "established" receivers, three of them are free agents. The one developmental youngster in the system (Braxton Berrios) didn’t play a single snap in the 2018 regular season. And your most electrifying option (Gordon) remains in limbo because of a drug-related suspension. The bottom line is that in many ways, this thing was held together with bubble gum the last 12 months. Any measure of their success is a tribute to the players who remained and persevered (like Dorsett and Hogan, in no small part), those who managed to elevate their game to unreal levels at the most important time (Edelman) and a positional coach in O’Shea who had his group ready to play and compete every week. It’s going to be very interesting to see what happens at this position going forward, but we need to start by acknowledging those who were a part of last year’s group.
By the numbers: 76.2 - It’s the catch percentage this past season put up by Dorsett, the second-highest rate achieved by any wide receiver in the Tom Brady Era with at least 30 targets. (Wes Welker caught 77.2 percent of the passes thrown his way in 2007.) Dorsett was never really a centerpiece of the offense the last two years, but that dependability — which translated to 32 catches on 42 targets in the regular season — was one of the more impressive things about this group. With a wild season arc that was reliant on Gordon’s availability more than anything, it meant he could go weeks between receptions, but he was always ready for his chance. He might not be around in 2019 — the guess here is the Sunshine State native returns to Florida to sign cut-rate deal with O’Shea and the Dolphins — but his 2018 needs to be acknowledged.
A few thoughts about the position moving forward: We counted 29 wide receiver-related transactions between July 23 and September 17 last year. When it comes to the immediate future, that revolving door in the receivers’ room will be busy once again. So what do we know for sure? Edelman will be back. Gordon? It’s a possibility. A remote possibility, but a possibility nonetheless. There’s also Berrios, who spent all last season on IR. He’s not going to come in and be a Pro Bowler, but his experience in the system from last summer helps. But this is a team that is really in need of some established receivers going into 2019 and beyond. Patterson said all the right things at the end of the season -- and was one of the best quotes on the team in 2018 -- but his future is up in the air at this point. Same for Hogan and Dorsett. (One other note -- Edelman has two years left on his current deal, which is up when he turns 34. We have no idea what his production is going to be over the next two years, but regardless, I'm going to be fascinated to see what the market for his services might be at that stage of his career.)
Chance Patriots address this position in free agency: Good. New England needs to build depth at the receiver position, and there are some real Patriot-like possibilities who could be bound for free agency. That includes (but is not limited to) Golden Tate, John Brown and Randall Cobb. Had a few questions about the potential return of Danny Amendola if the Dolphins decide to let him go. While you never say never with this team, I’d think that would be a bit of a long shot, at least at this point on the calendar.
Chance Patriots address this position in the draft: With a high-value pick? Slim. With a late-round selection? Likely. Clemson’s Hunter Renfrow might be a little too on-brand for New England when it comes to the position, but I could certainly see the Patriots going after a pass catcher at some point on draft weekend.