For year it seems, the Patriots have been sort of weak at wide receiver. I know what you may be thinking – “The Patriots somehow get over 300 passing yards a game, Will! How do you make that claim after winning six Super Bowls in this pass-happy league??”. Well, the Pats have had very good slot receivers and receiving backs (Edelman and White) in recent memory along with Gronk. Pair those with adequate split receivers who can make a few good catches every now and then (Hogan/Amendola), and you have a tough running game featuring the likes of Blount, Michel, Burkhead, and others in recent years with the aforementioned receivers who can win you a Super Bowl.
However, the one weakness in this offense I kept hearing about this offseason were the receivers. Apparently, the Pats had offered a 1st and a 5th round pick to Pittsburgh for AB when he was making a mockery of their locker room late last season. They then struck out on Adam Humphries among other second-tier wide receivers this offseason. Hell, they even drafted N’Keal Harry in the first round this year! But as we take the turn into the NFL season, their WR depth chart features Antonio Brown, Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Demaryius Thomas, and Harry. I can’t think of another team with the high-end and well-rounded talent that the Patriots have at that position right now. While yes, there is a chance that AB tears down the Patriot Way from inside Gillette, I think that is a miniscule possibility and that if he doesn’t do what they want, they’ll trade or cut him before their chances at SB54 are squandered.
While the Patriots by no stretch NEEDED Brown to get to the Superbowl, boy is it nice to see the rich get richer. I can’t wait to watch Kansas City and New England in January in Foxboro. Only 131 more days until the AFC Championship.
ReJoyce 