Position Overview: The Patriots could carry as many as six wide receivers going into camp. I know it sounds like a stretch but Bill Belichick is so unpredictable when it comes to the composition of the roster.
Julien Edelman, Danny Amendola, Matthew Slater and Chris Hogan are locks in my opinion. The fifth receiver spot is up for grabs and a crowded field is competing for the lone spot. Veterans Nate Washington, Keyshawn Martin, Aaron Dobson and Chris Harper will battle rookies Malcolm Mitchell and Devin Lucien for the last spot.
Here’s our look at the Patriots receiving corp heading into camp.
Julian Edelman, Kent State, 5-10 198: Edelman is one of the best route runners in the NFL He plus hands and can catch anything around his body. Edelman is a terrific underneath receiver who has enough speed to separate after the catch and extend plays. He needs to stay healthy. He suffered a foot injury last season and according to sources around the team, he’s still dealing with some pain.
Danny Amendola, Texas Tech, 5-10 186: Amendola will have a bigger role in the offense this season. That’s assuming he can stay on the field. Amendola is a terrific route runner who gets in and out of cuts. He’s adept at finding dead spots in zone coverage and sitting down. He’s more of a body catcher who isn’t afraid to go into the high traffic areas. If he can stay on the field, expect an uptick in his production this season.
Chris Hogan, Monmouth, 6-1 205: Hogan has a chance to blossom in the Patriots offense. He is a terrific route runner who gets in and out of his cuts quickly and gets open. He has strong hands but he also catches the ball well with his body. Hogan is not a vertical threat but he’s quick enough to get positive yards after the catch. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hogan started opposite Edelman by the time the Pats break camp.
Keyshawn Martin, Michigan State, 5-11 194: Martin is a good route runner who knows how to find openings in zone coverage. Martin has good hands but he occasionally gets the drops. Martin’s true value is in the return game and if he makes the team, it’ll be partly because of that.
Nate Washington, Tiffin College, 6-1 183: Washington is a veteran receiver who has craved out a nice career for himself with the Steelers, Titans and Texans. The perception is that Washington is a vertical threat but he is a good route runner who has good hands and can make plays after the catch. Washington will have a hard time making the Patriots but a good camp will help him land a job elsewhere.
Aaron Dobson, Marshall, 6-1, 205: Dobson has been a bust thus far. He’s entering the last year of his contract in what is a make or break camp for him. Dobson needs to prove to Bill Belichick and his coaching staff that he’s more than a deep threat that can’t stay healthy.
Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia, 6-0 185: The rookie out of Georgia will have every opportunity to make the team. Mitchell is vertical threat who is effective on fade, post and skinny post routes. A threat to score after the catch, Mitchell could very well be the deep threat the Patriots have been lacking.
Chris Harper, Cal, 5-11 183: Harper got his chance to play last season and while he did some things, he’ll mostly be remembered for muffing a punt against the Broncos. Harper has good size, is a fluid route runner and has good hands but consistent has been an issue for him. Special teams is the only way he can make the team.
Devin Lucien, Arizona State, 6-2 195: Lucien is a polished route runner who has above average hands and was highly productive in college. He went undrafted because he was inconsistent. If he can put together a good training camp however, he’ll have a chance to make the team.