New England Patriots: 3 receivers who need to perform well in 2018
By Sam Minton
With Eric Decker’s retirement, the New England Patriots are extremely weak at the wide receiver position. An unexpected pass catcher will have to step up this season.
Things just continue to get more and more interesting for the New England Patriots this preseason.
The Patriots have gotten rid of receivers like they have the plague. New England was already weak at the position and got a little weaker on Sunday when Eric Decker announced his retirement from the NFL.
I never expected Decker to make the roster. He seemed like he was declining and struggled to have any success while in New England.
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Still, this move should make Patriots fans nervous. Tom Brady has almost no one to throw to. The first 4 weeks of the season will be a big challenge for the offense.
With Decker gone it seems like some not so big players are going to have some big roles. So here are 3 receivers who will need to step it up this season.
Phillip Dorsett
Phillip Dorsett has struggled in the NFL and while with New England. In his 3 years in the league, Dorsett hasn’t topped 550 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
In his first year in New England, Dorsett didn’t play a large role. He appeared in 15 games and only had 12 catches for 194 yards. If that was for one game it would be amazing, but for a whole season, it is rather disappointing.
With the depth chart as it is right now, Dorsett looks to be the No.2 wideout while Julian Edelman is suspended.
Dorsett has great speed so I think Brady could find some success with Dorsett. He can be trusted by the sidelines and may become a deep threat if he can blow by defenders.