The New England Patriots' receiving room looked like a major strength heading into the season (they added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, despite moving on from Stefon Diggs and trading Kayshon Boutte), and then it didn't (Brown got injured in Week 1, Doubs had a horrible debut, and outside of Mack Hollins, who got hurt in Week 4, nobody else has consistently stepped up), but things are looking up.
New England's receiving corps was one of its biggest appeals heading into the season. And even though things haven't gotten off on the right foot, there is still a lot to like about what it can be.
The Patriots' receiving room is still a major strength, on paper
Doubs seems to be figuring things out (three receptions for 96 yards in Week 2; six receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns in Week 4). Efton Chism III stepped up in a major way in the Patriots' Week 4 win against the Buffalo Bills (two receptions for 42 yards, all on the final drive, including an incredible game-winning touchdown), and it looks like he could be in line for a bigger role. Brown is eligible to return in Week 6, and while there's no official word on whether he will or not, he reportedly doesn't have a "noticeable limp," which is a great sign.
DeMario Douglas hasn't lit the world on fire this season (nine receptions for 82 yards in four games), but Brown's return should open up the rest of the field for him to produce. The team will miss Hollins, who was placed on the injured reserve on Saturday (he legitimately looked like the only receiver Drake Maye actually felt comfortable throwing the ball to), but after Brown's injury, really nothing can hurt the receiving corps at this point.
(I don't really have anything on Kyle Williams. He's talented, but he has been a huge disappointment this season and is trending in the wrong direction.)
The Patriots still have an incredibly deep receiving corps, and the season is still young. Maye looked incredible in Week 4, and it looks like he may already be turning things around. Combine that with the fact that we'll be seeing the rest of the offense (mostly) at full health, and fans should be excited to see how everything looks in a few weeks or so.
It remains to be seen if another Super Bowl appearance is on the horizon for the Patriots, given that the rest of the AFC looks incredible. But there is a ton of talent on this roster, especially on offense. Even though it's mostly been a slow start for New England, it is beginning to trend upward (and really can't get much worse than it has), and nobody should be surprised if the team ends up lighting up opposing defenses sooner rather than later.
Add us as a preferred source on Google