New England Patriots GameDay: 5 players to watch in battle vs. Buffalo Bills

Phillip Dorsett, WR

The biggest winner in the New England Patriots release of Antonio Brown is Phillip Dorsett.

As a player who continues to improve in the Patriots offense, Dorsett has really become Tom Brady’s go to guy when the team needs a key third down play to move the chains.  He has also become a big play target so far this season.

With 13 receptions for 187 yards and three touchdowns, Phillip Dorsett is off to a good start as the team’s No. 3 wide receiver option now that Brown is gone.  Going up against a good Bills’ secondary with safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde running around looking to limit Josh Gordon and Julian Edelman, Dorsett should get some man-to-man coverage.

If Tom Brady finds success early going to Dorsett, this could be a breakout game for the fifth-year receiver who is finally getting his opportunity to be a factor in the offense.

As a player who has worked really hard the last couple seasons, the 42-year-old quarterback is happy Dorsett’s time has come.

"“He’s worked really hard, put himself in a great position to take advantage of his opportunities, and he’s certainly done it,” Brady said Wednesday.  “So, everyone’s happy for Phil. Nobody deserves it more than him, and he’s going to need to keep doing it. He’s one of the guys that’s now become one of the people on the team that you just have to count on week-to-week and you have to know exactly what you’re going to get.”"

When Tom Brady starts to trust a player, that means more targets. Dorsett’s success could be the difference in this matchup against the Bills.