Taking motion on the large receiver place ought to have been excessive up on the to-do listing for the New England Patriots this offseason.
The Patriots have addressed the place … effectively, considerably.
There’s nonetheless numerous time left within the offseason to do one thing, however the bulk of free company is over and New England solely made a small handful of strikes relating to wideouts. They actually didn’t give the positional group a significant shakeup in comparison with what it resembled final yr.
Positive, the Patriots minimize ties with DeVante Parker and re-signed Kendrick Bourne and Jalen Reagor whereas additionally bringing in Okay.J. Osborn. However these strikes shouldn’t have Patriots followers anticipating rather more out of New England’s receivers, which routinely failed to offer any explosive performs in a clumsy offensive unit.
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The Patriots can nonetheless discover upgrades on the place via the draft or within the commerce market, however for now, that is how the receiver depth chart seems:
Okay.J. Osborn
Kendrick Bourne
DeMario Douglas
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Tyquan Thornton
Jalen Reagor
Kayshon Boutte
That’s actually not a gaggle that may strike concern into opposing defenses and one which comes with loads of questions. Can Osborn deal with being a No. 1 receiver? He supplied regular manufacturing the final three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, however was by no means a high choice because of the presence of Justin Jefferson and getting handed over by 2023 first-round decide Jordan Addison.
Then there’s the query with Bourne and the way he’ll bounce again after tearing his ACL final season. If Bourne is wholesome — he’s adamant that he’s forward of schedule along with his rehab and will likely be prepared for coaching camp — he confirmed he generally is a dependable choice for whoever will likely be at quarterback for the Patriots.
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Douglas flashed throughout his rookie season, totaling 49 receptions for 561 yards and no touchdowns. However Douglas missed three video games resulting from damage and it’s not silly to query whether or not his 5-foot-8, 192-pound body can face up to the pounding of a 17-game NFL season.
Smith-Schuster regarded like a shell of himself throughout his first season with the Patriots and principally the one factor he has going for him is that he’s a veteran. If his knee doesn’t miraculously heal, he in all probability received’t present a lot of something to New England’s offense once more.
Then there’s Thornton, a 2022 second-round decide who already seems like a bust. He solely had 13 receptions for 91 yards final season.
Getting additional down the depth chart, not a lot must be anticipated out of Reagor and who is aware of if Boutte will even be on the group after he acquired arrested this offseason amid an alleged playing scandal.
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It’s a unit that doesn’t encourage a ton of confidence and would possibly solely carry out barely higher than final season’s group.
The Patriots appear intent on including to the positional group via the draft slightly than the commerce market. That’s high quality. Hitting on a large receiver, or maybe even two, that may make impression performs straight away would make a monumental distinction for the offense.
However given the standing of New England’s receivers in the mean time, they will’t afford to overlook on the wideouts they take. That’s one thing they’re all too accustomed to up to now.