New England Patriots: Sorting through the loaded WR position group
The New England Patriots now have 11 wide receivers on their roster, so training camp should be extremely competitive in July.
Take a look and the New England Patriots roster right now, and the sheer number of wide receivers stands out. The newest addition of Andrew Hawkins brings the team up to 11.
Some players like Julian Edelman and Brandin Cooks are locks to make the team. Others could be surprisingly cut or traded before the season kicks off in September. Here are my way too early predictions for how the position shakes out in 2017.
First, let’s take a look at who we’re dealing with here.
#11 Julian Edelman, 5’10”, 200lbs, Age 31
#13 Devin Lucien, 6’2″, 200lbs, Age 23
#14 Brandin Cooks, 5’10”, 189lbs, Age 23
#15 Chris Hogan, 6’1″, 210lbs, Age 28
#16 Andrew Hawkins, 5’7″, 180lbs, Age 31
#17 DeAndrew White, 6′, 192lbs, Age 25
#18 Matthew Slater, 6′, 205lbs, Age 31
#19 Malcolm Mitchell, 6’1″, 200lbs, Age 24
#80 Danny Amendola, 5’11”, 190lbs, Age 31
#81 Cody Hollister, 6’4″, 209lbs, Age 23
#84 Austin Carr, 6’1″, 195lbs, Age 23
New England will bring a good mix of young talent and veteran experience to camp with this roster. Perhaps some of the younger players can earn themselves a roster spot and push a veteran out.
They’ll Make the Roster
#11 Julian Edelman, 5’10”, 200lbs, Age 31
#14 Brandin Cooks, 5’10”, 189lbs, Age 23
#15 Chris Hogan, 6’1″, 210lbs, Age 28
#18 Matthew Slater, 6′, 205lbs, Age 31
#19 Malcolm Mitchell, 6’1″, 200lbs, Age 24
#84 Austin Carr, 6’1″, 195lbs, Age 23
The Patriots will add two new faces to their WR group in 2017 with Brandin Cooks and Austin Carr. Of course Edelman and Cooks are locks to make the team, but Carr would be a bit of a surprise. I’d give him the nod over Danny Amendola here just slightly due to his age and future potential. Carr would also help add some size to a smaller WR group.
Carr says he’s lucky to get to learn from some of the best players in the NFL.
"“For one, seeing how competitive they are and how good that room is, I don’t see this as a six-month journey,” Carr told reporters in response to his reason for signing with the Patriots, via NESN. “I hope that I have a lengthy NFL career. What better, my first year, than to learn from some of the best? I’m going to model my game after those guys. And when my spot opens, hopefully it’s here, and hopefully I take advantage of it.”"
Matthew Slater is listed as a WR, but he makes the team as a special teams player like always.
Cut Them
#16 Andrew Hawkins, 5’7″, 180lbs, Age 31
#17 DeAndrew White, 6′, 192lbs, Age 25
Sorry to say but from the outside it looks like Hawkins and White have no shot at cracking this roster. Their is just too much talent ahead of them. They’d each need an extremely impressive summer and for someone to fall flat on their face if they want to be on the Patriots roster in September.
Possible Practice Squad Players
#13 Devin Lucien, 6’2″, 200lbs, Age 23
#81 Cody Hollister, 6’4″, 209lbs, Age 23
At just 23, both Lucien and Hollister could benefit from some time on New England’s practice squad. Their size allows them to help the team prepare for some bigger wide receivers that they’ll face throughout the season.
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Trade Them
#80 Danny Amendola, 5’11”, 190lbs, Age 31
The New England Patriots should move on from Danny Amendola. Not because he’s a bad player, but because they simply don’t have the extra roster spot for him. Amendola has made key plays in New England’s last two Super Bowl runs, but at 31 there are younger players to replace him that add more versatility to the Patriots offense.
There would surely be a market for Amendola’s talents, but New England will need to find a willing trade partner. The Chicago Bears could be that team. Cameron DaSilva from FOX Sports highlights just how thin the Bears are on the outside.
"Kevin White can’t stay healthy, Eddie Royal isn’t particularly explosive, and Markus Wheaton is a No. 3 at best. Mike Glennon and Mitchell Trubisky aren’t going to have many options on the outside."
Chicago could look to add a solid veteran wideout for their new rookie QB here. If I’m the Patriots, I’m looking for at least a 4th round pick here. The issue here is that Chicago gave up so many picks in this past draft that they may not want to lose one in 2018. Maybe the Patriots can look for a 2019 third round selection.
Next: Is this Edelman's final year in New England?
The Patriots will have some tough decisions to make with this group in August, but as always, “In Bill We Trust!” A lot can happen between then and now, but this is just how I see the position shaking out for 2017.