WRs: Every team but one

[RobertWeathers]

Also if Malcolm Mitchell had been able to stay healthy, he had a chance to have a ton of success as a Patriot, likely because he seemed like he was able to pick up the offense better than most. Too bad.

Losing MM hurt. He represented good, cheap, young, productive talent.

On the flip side they did go to two SBs and Tom had two great years so it didn't hurt that bad.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I’m not suggesting spending big cap money at the position, I think we need to keep persisting in the draft. Particularly when we’re so well endowed with draft picks.

...but that is not what this team believes is the best path to acquiring a player who can be productive in this system sooner rather than later.

If they don't want to draft WRs, fine.

My problem with the circus at the position last year was they missed terribly on the vets they brought in which forced them to turn to a bigger risk in Josh. Their pro scouting group needs to do a better job. Period.

 

[Sicilian]

I think, like most things in football, there are a lot of ways to succeed on offense. And in the same way, there are many ways to succeed in the passing game. We did it in 07 primarily through WRs. We did it in 2011 primarily through TEs. We've generally always had a good third down receiving back, but the emphasis on that in the gameplan has varied year to year (and even week to week). I think it would be foolish to not try to improve the options at WR because the more ways you CAN play, the harder it is to gameplan against you, and the more protected you are from injuries.

However, I also think you shouldn't panic if you don't have great WRs, because as we've seen, there are other ways to move the ball effectively. The key is getting reasonably priced players that fit what you're trying to do at any position. It's not that a flashy WR wouldn't be welcome, it's that it's not a "get this or your screwed" kind of scenario.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I am so done with this fanbase overrating the importance of the WR position in this offense.

Saying we won despite the WR position is crap.

Before the SB, Hogan had good games. So did Jules and Dorsett.

As we have seen, Bill and JMc like playmaking WRs (Branch, Randy, Flash, Lloyd, Cooks) but we don't need them to win. They know it.

All we need are players who can get open and represent legitimate threats in the passing game. Beating man coverage is a plus.

It’s depth and experience we need at WR.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

If anyone is interested in seeing some numbers behind our draft tendencies, I'm tracking everything in a thread in the draft forum. I happened to start with WR, so have at it:

Draft measurements during the Belichick regime (WR first)

I'm happy to take requests for gif breakdowns on different WR prospects.

 

[Tony2046]

Yes, we had the 8th-ranked passing game in the NFL in 2018. I would suggest that we had significantly better than the 8th-best quarterback, 8th-best offensive line, and 8th-best receivers out of the backfield. Leaving the WRs and TEs as significantly worse than 8th-best.

I'd say the Pat's Wr Corp were SB MVP worthy.

 

[RobertWeathers]

It’s depth and experience we need at WR.

Exactly. Look at guys like Ellington and Harris. They've been in the league. They've caught some balls. They have experience.

If they both come in and catch 35-45 balls each for 600yds and a couple of TDs w/ a cacth % of 70% we don't need anything else.

This offense runs best when there are 5 legitimate, respected targets that can read zone coverage and make the occasional play vs man D.

With that said, unlike past years we now have a bonafide, legitimate running game and a player who if we believe what Ivan says was not full strength last year will be even better.

 

[50-yard-line]

Edelman-Dorsett-Jordy Nelson-draft pick/2nd-year-guy-Gordon(?) or draft pick.

Nelson's route-running and vet knowledge would fit here, I think. It'd cut down on Edelman's wear-and-tear 9and on Nelson's).

Also, Dorsett came back because they said they would use him more. I don't think they would have told him that if they didn't mean it.

That'd be my plan (unless Nelson was too expensive), and I'm sticking to it!

 

[Tony2046]

Yes because the line was tremendous at blocking for the run and pass. That makes everybody else’s job a lot easier.

I like this offense a lot more when there is somebody to stretch the field though.

I agree with you though

In a sense Edelman stretched the field. Imo.

 

[RobertWeathers]

In a sense Edelman stretched the field. Imo.

Not disagreeing but explain that a little. Safety help?

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Exactly. Look at guys like Ellington and Harris. They've been in the league. They've caught some balls. They have experience.

If they both come in and catch 35-45 balls each for 600yds and a couple of TDs w/ a cacth % of 70% we don't need anything else.

This offense runs best when there are 5 legitimate, respected targets that can read zone coverage and make the occasional play vs man D.

With that said, unlike past years we now have a bonafide, legitimate running game and a player who if we believe what Ivan says was not full strength last year will be even better.

I think the reason we can get away with not having a true #1 WR is because of Gronk and strong pass catching RBs. It works.

 

[Steve102]

I am so done with this fanbase overrating the importance of the WR position in this offense.

Saying we won despite the WR position is crap.

Before the SB, Hogan had good games. So did Jules and Dorsett.

As we have seen, Bill and JMc like playmaking WRs (Branch, Randy, Flash, Lloyd, Cooks) but we don't need them to win. They know it.

All we need are players who can get open and represent legitimate threats in the passing game. Beating man coverage is a plus.

Amen. I was going to start a thread on this, but you've handled it.

You guys know they have won A LOT doing it their way, right?

I will sit here and wait for you guys to tell me which one of their rings is a result of having a stud outside the numbers guy. I'll wait.

2001: Troy Brown, David Patten, Bert Emmanuel, Chad Coleman, Terry Glenn
2003: Troy Brown, Deion Branch, Bethel Johnson, David Givens, David Patten
2004: Troy Brown, Deion Branch, Bethel Johnson, David Givens, David Patten
2014: Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson, Brian Tyms, Kenbrell Tompkins
2016: Julian Edelman, Danny amendola, Chris Hogan, Michael Floyd, Malcom Mitchell
2018: Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Cordarrell Patterson, Jacob Hollister, Josh Gordon, Phillip Dorsett

I get that nice shiny toys like Julio Jones, AB, OBJ are fun and put asses in the seats and eyeballs on TV. But guess what, Route 1 has proven that their way works. Chill on the "we need a guy" thing.

 

[patchick]

I'd say the Pat's Wr Corp were SB MVP worthy.

Heck yeah. And if we could field a WR group that looked like this, I'd be happy as a clam!

 

[patchick]

I am so done with this fanbase overrating the importance of the WR position in this offense.

I don't think it's overrating the importance of the WR position to say that a depth chart of just Edelman and Dorsett, with Gronkowski's status unknown, is pretty shaky.

Of course there are multiple ways to get it done. I'm just asking what YOU would do. E.g. saying "I would double-dip on tight ends in the draft, I think that's the best way to strengthen the total receiving corps" is one potential answer.

 

[TB_Helmet]

Amen. I was going to start a thread on this, but you've handled it.

You guys know they have won A LOT doing it their way, right?

I will sit here and wait for you guys to tell me which one of their rings is a result of having a stud outside the numbers guy. I'll wait.

2001: Troy Brown, David Patten, Bert Emmanuel, Chad Coleman, Terry Glenn
2003: Troy Brown, Deion Branch, Bethel Johnson, David Givens, David Patten
2004: Troy Brown, Deion Branch, Bethel Johnson, David Givens, David Patten
2014: Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson, Brian Tyms, Kenbrell Tompkins
2016: Julian Edelman, Danny amendola, Chris Hogan, Michael Floyd, Malcom Mitchell
2018: Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Cordarrell Patterson, Jacob Hollister, Josh Gordon, Phillip Dorsett

I get that nice shiny toys like Julio Jones, AB, OBJ are fun and put asses in the seats and eyeballs on TV. But guess what, Route 1 has proven that their way works. Chill on the "we need a guy" thing.

I think most people on here understand that we don't need AB or someone like that to win.

The OP was just asking "what would you do at WR?" Are you happy with what we have now (which is perfectly justified given the list you just posted). Or do you think they should try to get better at the position, and if so how, especially given history of lack of draft success?

As I said, my main concern is what happens if Edelman goes down. The remaining guys we have at WR aren't close to any of the 6 SB years.

 

[Wheelman]

Smash mouth football and run the ****ing ball right down their dirty throats!






Or find another Malcolm Mitchell in the draft!

 

[Deus Irae]

Amen. I was going to start a thread on this, but you've handled it.

You guys know they have won A LOT doing it their way, right?

I will sit here and wait for you guys to tell me which one of their rings is a result of having a stud outside the numbers guy. I'll wait.

2001: Troy Brown, David Patten, Bert Emmanuel, Chad Coleman, Terry Glenn
2003: Troy Brown, Deion Branch, Bethel Johnson, David Givens, David Patten
2004: Troy Brown, Deion Branch, Bethel Johnson, David Givens, David Patten
2014: Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson, Brian Tyms, Kenbrell Tompkins
2016: Julian Edelman, Danny amendola, Chris Hogan, Michael Floyd, Malcom Mitchell
2018: Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Cordarrell Patterson, Jacob Hollister, Josh Gordon, Phillip Dorsett

I get that nice shiny toys like Julio Jones, AB, OBJ are fun and put asses in the seats and eyeballs on TV. But guess what, Route 1 has proven that their way works. Chill on the "we need a guy" thing.

 

[TN patriot fan]

I think it's great that more and more posters are willing to separate the winning from the underlying issues (positive or negative) for discussion purposes.

I detect slight irony in this post.

 

[Bledsoehasaring]

Best receivers from a pure talent standpoint weve ever had With Brady... moss and cooks. Combined zero superbowls. However I really hope Gordon is back next year.

 

[TN patriot fan]

Yes we’re lucky to have Edelman, Gronk and White. But last season showed that times that was barely enough, particularly with a sub-par Gronk on the field. Brady was as bad in the RZ as I’ve seen him in the last decade and that wasn’t because of a big drop off in his play, it was because his targets didn’t seem to be there. I don’t see the harm in drafting some WRs when you have 12 picks even if it’s just to throw stuff at the wall in the hope that something sticks (of course, I hope they’ll be a little more scientific than that).

I would be truly shocked if they don't take a WR in the first three rounds. Just going off how many they signed at one point or another last year, I think they knew all along last year that the corps they had was not enough.

I doubt we would have made it to the Super Bowl if we had not had Gordon for most of the season. I realize we did well in the playoffs without him, but Gronk was a different player in the playoffs than he was in the regular season, and the defense was night-and-day different.