I don't have time for a comprehensive answer, nor access to much film, but I think we saw a few signs over the last few games that show he can be an inside/outside player with some promise in this offense. As you noted, he's been a good blocker. He had several excellent crackback blocks that sprang outside runs. He's competed hard on numerous snaps where he didn't receive a target, whether it was blocking or running off coverage for others.
Can he succeed as an outside receiver? Yes, probably. I don't know that he has the raw speed to consistently threaten deep, but that can be mitigated by suddenness, footwork, and body positioning. His concentration/hands show progress. His releases are more violent, and he's starting to use his size to his advantage. He's got room for further improvement (he's only played in 10 career games, I believe, and he's actually younger than several of the rookies from this class).
I wish I had replay available so that I could highlight several of his routes. I noticed him open a few times on Sunday, but the ball went elsewhere for whatever reason. He's going to get chances, though. With all of the injuries, his volume of targets should stay relatively high.
His comebacks are getting cleaner/sharper, although he could still stick his foot in the ground with a bit more authority.
His bread and butter should be slants, posts, fades, comebacks, crossers, etc, which fit in just fine with what the Patriots have asked from X receivers in the past. If he can also make things work in the screen game and get some designed open field runs, then I don't see why he can't be a good part of the puzzle. He may never evolve into the alpha of the pack, but I think he'll be a good contributor by year's end.
Given Edelman's health, I still think we need another receiver, preferably a strong route runner with some suddenness and speed to keep defenses from cheating up and playing everything underneath.
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