Antonio Brown’s impending arrival leaves healthy backlog at receiver for Patriots

FOXBOROUGH -- There is joy here at Patriot Place, six trophies, six banners and a scintillating opening-night blowout of the hated Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now the real work begins -- at least for Bill Belichick and his staff.

Monday’s expected arrival of Antonio Brown -- he was not in the building for the Sunday night slaughter by his new team over his old -- crowds an already loaded wide receiver roster here for the defending world champions.

Once a point of early August concern, the New England wide receiver roster ranks among the best in the game from 1-to-6, a fact that Tom Brady has never been able to boast about.

Sunday night’s depth chart at the position was pretty darn impressive.

Four of the five dressed caught balls led by Julian Edelman with six for 83 yards and Philip Dorsett, who had four grabs for 95 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Josh Gordon looked like he did last October with three catches on just four targets for 73 yards and a TD, and even the rookie Jakobi Meyers got his cleats wet with a 22-yard catch.

“Some guys made some big plays. I loved how Phil played,” said Brady. “Josh made plays. (Julian Edelman) did. I think the receiving group ... it was some good things to build on and try to improve next week.”

But now comes the tough part.

Remember, Demaryius Thomas and his $3 million paycheck sat this one out nursing a hamstring.

And, of course, AB spent one final night a free man Sunday before he ties the knot with Belichick, for a $10 million marriage.

“I think everybody is excited to add great players,” said Brady. “It helps everybody when you have great players that are sharing the burden of the tough football season.”

When the dust settles, who survives? And who goes?

Belichick and personnel ace Nick Caserio don’t exactly have a ton of time and/or flexibility.

Brown may have missed camp, causing Brady to at least pump the brakes a little bit.

“We haven’t had a training camp together, so you have to force a lot of information,” said Brady. “We’re all going to work hard and try to get up to speed as fast as possible. We’re all excited to have him.”

But the bottom line is that you don’t pay $10 million for a gaudy piece of jewelry and keep it in your wall safe.

Bob Kraft, who told Al Michaels on the broadcast that Brady is a “million percent” in on Brown, won’t allow Brown to linger long.

Suddenly, Dorsett, who caught two TDs and heaped more Brady love onto his resume in the process, is the No. 5 receiver on this team, tenuously, because rookie top pick N’Keal Harry looms on the short term IR, with the possibility of returning in Week 9.

Brady was back lobbying last night, again.

“You know, Phil’s smart, dependable, consistent, tough and continues to take advantage of his opportunity and he’s done a great job for us,” the quarterback said. “He plays a lot of different spots. He was out there all training camp and came up with two huge plays tonight. So it was great getting him the ball, seeing him score like that, and you can’t forget about him because he can run through the defense and make a lot of plays with the ball in his hands.”

Thomas, who caught 59 passes last season, might even be expendable.

Regardless, this receiving corps, which could have been considered laughable just four weeks ago in training with Thomas and Edelman injured, Gordon still suspended, Harry fragile and Brown nursing his feet and ego in Napa with Raiders, might just be the game’s best. 

It’s a pretty solid problem for Belichick and the Patriots to have.

"It’ll be fun," Edelman said. "He’s an explosive player and we’re happy to have him. The more playmakers you have out there, the better things will go."