The Patriots continued tinkering this offseason in search of the right mix at wide receiver, creating one of the most compelling training camp roster battles for the team this summer.
With the Patriots focused on building the offense around second-year QB Drake Maye, finding a bona fide number-one receiver to pair with Maye for the foreseeable future is critical, as is building depth in a room that has struggled to produce recently. Last season, New England's wide receivers ranked last in the NFL in receiving yards (1,718) and 29th in expected points added per target (-0.00). Furthermore, third-year WR DeMario Douglas was the highest-rated Patriot receiver in ESPN's receiver score metric, finishing 25th among qualified wideouts.
New England's lack of outside playmakers impacted how defenses defended the Patriots offense in 2024. Last season, opposing safeties aligned at the ninth-shortest distance from the line of scrimmage (12.2 yards), and defenses played the fourth-highest rate of single-high man coverages (28.4%) against the Patriots offense. Since opposing defenses didn't fear the Patriots' downfield passing game, the game plan was to crowd the line of scrimmage, which impacts the effectiveness of the run game and frees defenses to generate pressure through creative schemes.
The Patriots continue to pursue a coverage-dictating receiver. Until they find their golden goose, New England's top-end talent at wide receiver will be in question. Due to investing heavily in pursuing talent upgrades at wide receiver, the Patriots face another dilemma this summer: as many as nine wide receivers are vying for five or six spots on the 53-man roster.
Starting at the top of the depth chart, the Patriots made a splash by signing four-time Pro Bowl wideout Stefon Diggs to a lucrative free-agent contract this offseason. Diggs immediately becomes the team's most decorated, recognizable, and best pass-catcher on the roster, who ranked second in ESPN's receiver score metric and was on-pace for another 100-catch season with over 1,000 yards in Houston last season.
However, the former Bills and Vikings star tore the ACL in his right knee on Oct. 27. 2024, ending his only season with the Texans after a promising start. Due to the injury, Diggs didn't sign with the Patriots until the 15th day of free agency and could begin the season on a reserve list (PUP/IR). For what it's worth, Diggs has publicly stated that his goal is to be ready for the regular-season opener vs the Raiders, and his limited participation in spring practices suggests he's progressing well in his rehab. Diggs was already running routes against air at full speed at OTAs and minicamp, which was ahead of where other recent ACL recoveries were during that time of year.
Diggs could be a number-one option in their offensive hierarchy when healthy, and he appears to be ahead of schedule in his recovery. That said, he's a 31-year-old receiver coming off a major knee injury. Although his pedigree suggests Diggs will be a difference-maker, it remains to be seen if he can bounce back from this injury. From a roster crunch perspective, whether Diggs opens the season on the active roster or a reserve list will be notable since he won't occupy a roster spot on PUP or injured reserve.
Along with Diggs, DeMario Douglas and third-rounder Kyle Williams are the other "locks," while free-agent addition Mack Hollins has a very strong chance to make the team as well. Although he was present for practices, Hollins didn't participate this spring due to an undisclosed reason. Still, the team likely has a vision for him as a veteran leader and four-down player who had a career season with OC Josh McDaniels in 2022 (57 catches, 690 yards).
Then, there are as many as five wideouts battling for one or two roster spots. Kendrick Bourne has a history with McDaniels, posting a career-high 925 scrimmage yards during the 2021 season in McDaniels's offense. Bourne was then on-pace for 79 catches and over 800 yards in Bill O'Brien's system in 2023, which has tons of overlap with McDaniels's playbook. Bourne has produced in this scheme in the past, but he has an overlapping skill set with younger receivers that the Patriots might try to incorporate instead, while Bourne carries a $7.7 million cap hit.
The other, more veteran receiver in the room who has already been in trade rumors this offseason is third-year pro Kayshon Boutte. Boutte broke out for 43 catches for 589 yards and three touchdowns in his second season in New England. The 23-year-old has chemistry with Drake Maye as a wideout who can win outside the numbers, catching six deep passes last season. Boutte's ability to run vertical routes on the outside, playing into one of Maye's best attributes, could earn him a roster spot.
Next, the Patriots selected two wide receivers in the first 110 draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft whose rookie seasons didn't go as planned: Ja'Lynn Polk (second round) and Javon Baker (fourth round). First, Polk had some early flashes in his rookie campaign but managed only 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns. He was billed as a fluid, sturdy receiver with strong hands and a knack for finishing through contact, much like former Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers. As for Baker, he only registered one catch for 12 yards as a rookie.
To be fair to both Baker and Polk, neither was in a position to succeed as rookies, while Patriots decision-makers admitted they put too much on Polk's plate to be the answer to their wide receiver problems. Still, Polk's skill set didn't translate to the pro game in year one, and he was a limited participant this spring while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Baker has the raw talent but needs to be more consistent on and off the field. Both second-year draft choices will need to make a positive impression on the Patriots new coaching staff to make the roster.
Lastly, spring-practice standout Efton Chism is the latest Patriots undrafted rookie to make a strong first impression. Although it's a different regime, New England has a history of finding late-round or UDFA gems at wide receiver, with an undrafted rookie making the initial roster in 20 of the last 21 seasons. Chism fits the McDaniels slot receiver mold, with the Eastern Washington product flashing jitterbug quickness in his routes, a knack for operating between the numbers, and strong hands in high-traffic areas. Chism set the table with a strong spring. Now, we'll see if he continues to stand out in padded practices.
As mentioned, there are two major storylines about the Patriots wide receiver room this summer. First, there will be discussions about whether there is enough high-end talent at the position. There will also be a competitive camp battle between Bourne, Boutte, Polk, Baker, and Chism to claim the final few spots on the roster. Given that there isn't a clear talent hierarchy among the group, it'll be tough to decide who sticks on the initial roster.
Overall, one thing is for sure about the wide receiver room: they'll be one of the most debated position groups on the Patriots roster this summer.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
