Really?
You want a mulligan on that Slater opinion?
Patriots have one of the best special teams in the league ... Slater is the captain of the special teams.
No. When the roster picker is up, Slater will be among the WRs. That's just where he falls on the depth chart. You keep Edelman, Amendola, Hogan and Mitchell (Belichick has never cut a 4th round draft pick).
Then you have to pick one or two of Washington, Martin, Dobson, Lucien, Carter and Slater.
Maybe they go with Slater plus one of those five receivers. Maybe not.
Washington is a proven X receiver who, at 30, will be tested mightily by this group of younger guys. If he's on the same page with Brady and Garoppolo in camp and pre-season, though, he beceomes immensely valuable during the first four weeks. Dobson is probably toast. Even if he's great in the pre-season, he's such an injury risk. Keshawn Martin is terrific, in my opinion. He's a veteran receiver and a good return man to take some of the risk of injury off of Edelman and/or Amendola. Lucien is a Swiss Army knife player who might fill in for Lewis if Lewis is on PUP. Carter's a long shot.
Last, Slater's cap hit is $1.77M and he's 30.
Somebody posted about the practice squad for this team. There will be genuine talent waiting in the wings. Lucien may go the PS after Lewis returns from the PUP list.
If the receiving corps is Martin, Washington, Edelman, Amendola, Hogan and Mitchell, you've got five veterans. They will have three guys who are 6'1" X receivers (Washington, Hogan and Mitchell is an upgrade over LaFell - if they get the offense.) There are three kick returners to spread the work and risk around.
Combine this group with Bennett and Gronkowski, and Garoppolo will have the upper hand in matchups with the first four opponents. Brady will pick apart defenses with this crew of receivers - the best since Moss-Welker in 2007.