Lafell seems on track and playing as I (at least) expected at this point. He's not completely lost out there like one of those infamous WRs flameouts of seasons past. And agreed, those guys never recover, but IMO Lafell isn't one of them. He's just our #5 option out there most times. Probably about a WR2b talent on an average talent team. Overpaid a bit sure, but not crazy so. What amount of production would one realistically expect from that spot in week 2 in the first year in a new system. If pressed into it, I'm sure NE could use him more and get results bigger but less efficient stats like the rooks and new guys had last year at this time. But we don't need to. So he's moving slowly, improving chemistry, and playing his role. What I like about him NE's entire corps of WR's and RBs even is that they are complimentary and each seems to have their own talents. Lafell to me is a bigger, possession type WR, more suited for red zone, other spot work where he might out muscle DBs in liue of speed. In any case, his sweetspot is surely a small specialized role, and well down the to-do list of the Offense right now. It'll take time for everything to get ironed out and (hopefully dangerous) roles discovered and defined. As It does for every team in the NFL at this point. Until then he's just an - average, tad overpaid, new-to-the-system, hard working young vet, with good blocking - #5 option. But maybe he'll end up being more dangerous or useful than that in some part-time tactical role NE finds works best for him and his particular skillset. Or not.
