By John Sarianides
To say the Patriots are loaded at wide receiver would be a major understatement. The addition of Brandin Cooks gives the Patriots the one thing have been lacking in recent seasons. A vertical threat that can take the top off of a defense.
Cooks will bring that element to the Patriots offense and he will fit in nicely with Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell. All five receivers bring different strengths to the table.
Here is our wide receiver preview.
Julian Edelman, 5-10 198, Kent State, 8th Season: Edelman is still going to be Tom Brady’s number one option in the passing game despite the addition of Cooks.
Edelman is one of the best route runners in the NFL. He has great feet and he gets in and out cuts with ease, especially on underneath and short routes.
Edelman is one of the toughest receivers in the NFL. He takes a beating but he keeps getting up, lining up and playing the next snap. Provided he stays healthy, pencil Edelman in for 100 plus catches, a 1,000 yards receiving and 5-6 touchdowns.
Brandin Cooks, 5-10 189, Oregon State, 3rd Season: Cooks will give the Patriots the explosive play maker they desperately need. As good as the Patriots offense is, they didn’t have that one player who can catch a seam or post routecand take it the distance.
Cooks is a terrific route runner who gets in and out cuts with ease. He can break a defender down in space and get north quickly.
Cooks speed on intermediate and vertical routes is what makes him special. He knows how to stack a defender and get open. Once he catches the ball in the open field, he can separate and score.
The Patriots will game plan Cooks accordingly but expect him to be an integral part of the game plan week in and week out.
Danny Amendola, 5-10 186, Texas Tech, 9th Season: Amendola has taken a pay cut each of the last three off-seasons to stay in New England. He likes playing here and has been an integral part of two Super Bowl winning teams. I don’t think Amendola’s roster spot is in jeopardy per say but he will need a good camp to stave off Andrew Hawkins and rookie Austin Carr.
Amendola excels at getting open underneath and extending plays after the catch. He is adept at finding soft spots in zone coverage and settling . Amendola is a saavy veteran who knows the offense and can play in any personnel grouping. He can also return kicks which makes him a valuable commodity.
Chris Hogan, 6-1 215, Monmouth, 5th Season: Hogan is the Patriots “big” receiver. He is more suited to play on the line of scrimmage but he was just as effective for the Patriots out of the slot last season.
Hogan made an impact in his first season in New England catching 38 passes for 680 yards and 4 touchdowns. The most memorable play of Hogan’s first season in New England came in the AFC Championship when he was on the receiving end of a flea flicker for a touchdown.
Hogan is by no means an “elite” receiver but he has good size, is athletic and is a terrific blocker. He is a good fit in the Patriots offense.
Malcolm Mitchell, 6-0 198, Georgia, 2nd Season: Mitchell had some ups and down as a rookie but when he was healthy towards the end of the season, he was productive.
The Patriots like Mitchell because he is an above average route runner who has good hands and can separate over the top on vertical routes. He also gives them additional size on the perimeter.
Mitchell should make the roster. He will have to beat out Andrew Hawkins and Austin Carr but given his experience in the offense and his size, speed combination, there is no reason why he shouldn’t.
Andrew Hawkins, 5-7 175, Toledo, 7th Season: Hawkins was an interesting signing this spring. On the surface it didn’t make sense given the Patriots depth at receiver. However, when you look at Hawkins size and his skill set, he is a great fit in the Patriots offense.
Hawkins will get every opportunity to make the team but unless he returns kicks and out plays Amendola, Mitchell and Carr, Hawkins will have a hard time making the team.
Matthew Slater, 6-0 200, UCLA, 10th Season: Slater is the leader of the Patriots special teams unit and is one of the team’s primary leaders. Slater won’t get many snaps offensively but don’t be surprised if you see him in a game here and there.
Austin Carr, 6-0 201, Northwestern, RK: The Patriots like Carr’s size and his route running ability. In a perfect world, the Patriots stash Carr on the practice squad but that could be tough given Carr’s ability. He could end up getting claimed if he has a solid camp.
Devin Lucien, 6-0 192, Arizona State, 2nd Season: Lucien has good size and has plus hands but his shoddy route running at times and inconsistency will hinder Lucien from competing for a roster spot.
Cody Hollister, 6-4 210, Arkansas, RK: Hollister has good hands and runs good routes despite being tall and not very athletic. Hollister will have a hard time getting snaps on offense but if he excels on special teams, he has an outside shot at making the team.