Patriots Positional Preview: Wide Receivers

This year’s wide receiver corps is arguably the best the Patriots have had, at least since 2007’s fireworks. There might not be that single Hall of Fame talent like Randy Moss, but there’s more depth and diversity than even the record-setting 2007 offense.

Acquiring Brandin Cooks was the highlight move of the offseason on offense, but extending Julian Edelman and re-working Danny Amendola’s contract once again, ensured continuity with Tom Brady’s most reliable targets. With Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell entering their second years in New England, they should also make some significant strides. Both receivers accomplished the rare feat of instantly clicking with Brady and the offense, and should only improve with experience.

Free agent signee Andrew Hawkins might be the sixth man on the depth chart, but he can still play. He’s 31 but consistently produced in his stints with the Bengals and Browns. It might take an injury for Hawkins to sneak on the roster, but he’s great insurance at a position where there’s rock solid depth, including a trio of youngsters who all have some promise.

It’s difficult projecting how the snaps will play out this season with so many weapons at the position, but it will sure be fun to watch.

Let’s take a look at each receiver on the roster!

Julian Edelman – After a foot injury killed most of Edelman’s 2015 season, he bounced back in 2016 and amazingly topped his clutch performances of 2014, including perhaps the greatest catch in Super Bowl history. Edelman now is the Patriots leader in post-season catches, a record that fits him well, along with his two Super Bowl rings. Edelman played all 16 games and had his second-best season in catches (98) in 2016, but will be 31 in 2017. As we’re well aware, Edelman is quickly approaching a crossroads, but he earned a two-year extension this offseason that will keep him in New England through 2019. If he stays healthy, plus with the addition of Cooks, Edelman should once again be extremely productive.

Brandin Cooks – The biggest splash of the offseason on offense came from trading the 32nd overall pick to the Saints for the electric Cooks, who has two years on his contract left after the Patriots picked up his fifth year option. Cooks’ potential in the offense could rival that of Randy Moss circa 2007. He will be just 24 this season and gives the Patriots huge big play potential. He’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball and the Patriots will certainly take advantage of his versatility like the Saints did with handoffs, screens and generally moving him all over the formation to attack matchups. If Cooks clicks like he should the Patriots might be wise to lock him up long-term, even if it comes at the expense of letting Edelman walk sooner than later.

Chris Hogan – Who’d have thought the Pats’ best deep threat since Randy Moss would come in the form of an undrafted receiver who had bounced around the AFC East before getting plucked from the Bills as a restricted free agent? Hogan ended up with 38 catches for 680 yards and four touchdowns, with a whopping 17.9 yards-per-catch, best in the NFL. With Brandin Cooks in the mix, how will it affect Hogan? While it could take some snaps away it could also open up coverage. His two touchdowns in the AFC Championship proved he’s a big time player that the Patriots have needed for a while, he should continue to be a significant part of the offense.

Malcolm Mitchell – The list of rookie receivers who have come in and clicked in the Patriots offense is microscopic. Outside of Deion Branch, few young receivers have so effortlessly picked up the system like Mitchell did in 2016. Mitchell had 32 catches for 401 yards and four touchdowns, but it was his six catches for 70 yards in the Super Bowl that were most impressive with five of them coming in the fourth quarter. Those included a critical 3rd-and-1 conversion. It’s hard not to have growing expectations for Mitchell after he rose to the challenge under the brightest lights. As Edelman and Amendola enter the final years of their deals, 2017 could be an audition for Mitchell to join with Cooks and Hogan as the primary trio going into 2018 and beyond.

Danny Amendola – After spending most of the 2016 regular season on ice the Patriots’ smart move to preserve Amendola paid off in the playoffs. After just 23 catches in the regular season, Amendola had 10 catches in the playoffs including a game-saving 4th-and-3 catch with the Pats down 28-3 in the third quarter that kept the first touchdown-scoring drive alive. He also chipped in a touchdown in the Super Bowl as well as the game-tying two-point conversion. For the third year in a row Amendola restructured his contract to remain in New England. Expect a similar approach this year, with the Pats protecting him the best they can, then turning him loose at the times when he’s at his absolute best, in clutch playoff moments. It’s been a fascinating journey for Amendola, who’s gone from being labelled an injury-prone bust who couldn’t replace Wes Welker, to one of the most decorated clutch receivers in Patriots history.

Andrew Hawkins – Hawkins signed in late May after spending three years with the Browns where he caught 123 balls and five touchdowns. A slot receiver with good quickness, Hawkins joins the log jam at the “Z” receiver where it could take an Edelman or Amendola injury to open up a roster spot for him. He reportedly turned down multiple other offers to join the Pats.

Devin Lucien – The Patriots selected Lucien in the 7th round of the 2016 draft and he spent the year on the practice squad. He has good size at 6’2” and will be looking to make a big jump in 2017. The loaded depth chart could mean another year on the practice squad, and even making it there will be a tall task.

Austin Carr – An undrafted rookie out of Northwestern, Carr is one of the more exciting players under the radar. A big slot receiver, Carr was a Biletnikoff Trophy finalist for the best receiver in college football. Making the 53-man roster might be too much to ask, but Carr should get a long look with Edelman and Amendola both over 30 . A spot on the practice squad could be in the cards, as Carr might be one of the bigger surprises in camp.

Cody Hollister – An undrafted rookie out of Arkansas, Hollister is the twin brother of tight end Jacob, also signed by the Pats. Hollister had just 27 career catches but was a special teams co-MVP so that probably tells us just about everything we need to know. He’ll have to show a Slater-esque knack on special teams to have any chance of making the roster and even then it might be asking too much.