By John Sarianides

The Patriots found out this morning that wide receiver Julien Edelman is indeed done for the season with a torn ACL. So, how do the Patriots replace so much production? Here are three ways.

1. Use 20 Personnel More: 20 personnel in football is two running backs and three wide receivers. By using 20 personnel more, the Patriots could get James White and Dion Lewis in the game at the same time and use them in the passing game. 

They can run routes out of the back field or line up in different spots within a formation and run receiver routes. The Patriots have enough depth that if they get creative, they can use their available personnel and replace some of Edelman’s production. White and Lewis can do that. 

2. Move Brandin Cooks Around: Cooks was going to get plenty of work running out of the slot as it was, now he will exclusively be the number one slot receiver. 

The Patriots will still move him around and use him in the vertical passing game but he will get plenty of touches underneath as well. 

3. Malcolm Mitchell Needs to Take On a Bigger Role: People keep talking about rookie Austin Carr making the team but the Patriots need to get more out of the established guys on the roster. 

One of those guys, Malcolm Mitchell needs to step up and take on a greater role in the offense now. Mitchell knows the system, has improved as a route runner and is versatile in that he can run underneath routes and stretch the field. 

Mitchell is ready to embrace a bigger role and be a productive player, particularly on the outside. 

The Patriots have depth at the skill positions so they should be able to overcome the loss of Edelman. That being said, replacing 100 catches and a thousand yards receiving is never easy. 

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will adjust and will figure out a way to get the available pieces he has to work. They are pretty good pieces after all.