Patriots Reportedly Unlikely to Make the Lineup Change Fans Are Hoping for

The New England Patriots are overseas for Week 7 to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in London for another NFL International Series showdown. After opening the 2024 campaign with a win, the Patriots have lost five straight games heading into Sunday morning's matchup, leaving time to tell if their fortunes will be reversed this weekend.

A slow start to the year has left Patriots fans wanting to see changes throughout the lineup, especially in the wide receiver room. New England's pass-catchers haven't been all that productive, leaving supporters wanting to see someone like rookie WR Javon Baker be given an expanded role.

Having said that, those hopeful fans shouldn't hold their breath.

Patriots News: No Starting Plans for Javon Baker

Boston Herald's Doug Kyed reported on Thursday that he "would be majorly surprised if Baker suddenly became a starter." According to Kyed, New England head coach Jerod Mayo said earlier in the week that Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, and Kendrick Bourne are currently New England's top wideouts.

In other words, a change likely isn't coming any time soon.

The Patriots' passing game has been frustrating to watch, to say the least. They're one of the league's worst teams in most passing statistics, including completions (30th), yards per completion (30th), and yards (32nd).

While some of the issues can be blamed on the quarterbacks and offensive line, it isn't as if the Patriots' wideouts have done much to help. Douglas (245) and Boutte (106) are the only New England WRs who have tallied triple-digit receiving yards through the team's first six games. Even Bourne, who's apparently one of the "best receivers" only has 15 yards on three catches in two appearances.

That's without mentioning how 2024 second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk is reportedly stuck in a "mental funk" amid his slow start to the year. The former Washington product has only caught 10 balls for 78 receiving yards and a touchdown to begin his NFL career.

So yeah, it's easy to see why Patriots fans are open to giving Baker some more chances. The first-year wideout has barely touched the gridiron this season, playing six offensive snaps while spending another 11 on special teams.

Baker, 22, displayed some impressive potential during his two-year run at UCF. He amassed 1,935 yards and 12 TDs on 108 receptions during that stretch and even led the Big 12 in receiving yards and yards per reception in 2023. It was a performance that was good enough to see the Patriots draft him 110th overall this year.

Considering how the rest of the WR room has performed, the Patriots have nothing to lose by giving Baker some extra opportunities. If he capitalizes on them, great. If not, it isn't as if his production could be any worse than what New England is seeing from its other wideouts.

Besides, the Patriots could use all the help they can get in London. FanDuel Sportsbook is currently listing the Pats as 5.5-point underdogs against the Jaguars tomorrow morning.

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