WRs: Every team but one

@OP @patchick

Lets first focus on what there is on the roster and on 2019. Its a 1 year league basically, more and more so and for the most part BB sees it like that as well (with a bit of future in mind of course).

1. Currently on the roster:
Edelman - Dorsett - Harris - Ellington - Berrios - D.Patterson

2. Gordon (Gronk)
Much of this uneducated discussion depends on how one sees Gordon situation. If you believe he can become consistent part of the unit at least for the second part of the season then you're not too worried and you're on to the Draft. If you have doubts you can be understandably be worried. Id guess FO “tentatively“ works within framework that there is a decent chance they get Gordon back but far from certain & Gronk comes back as well.

3. FA mid tier WR
Nothing but mid tier/damaged WRs are left in FA (sorry @ChrisR2223 but Conley is firmly in this cat. imo). They might still be expensive so bringing Hogan back if his market doesn't develop could make sense. I don't know how much of an upgrade others would really be considering Tom likes comfort zone.

4. Trade
BB is trying to get top dog WR for years and trade is best/most economic chance to get one. Or maybe the only chance short term. So top players who are not extended yet or are on rebuild teams/new FO could be considered. The problem is there are not many of them and the moment you ask about them and the team is willing to deal them they will create competition that is always most unfavourable for NE. But as Cooks case showed it is possible and it makes sense even if it doesn't work out.

5. Draft
Im not sure where the idea of great WR draft is coming from? Maybe @reamer @BaconGrundleCandy could fill us in with reality. In any case there is not a great chance 2019 team gets top or even significant production from a rookie.
One rookie who could make real impact in Pats 2019 O might be TE TJ Hockenson!
(but im not going for another Kittle heartbreak just yet..)

6. The process
Patriots usually bring 10-11 WRs to TC. Reports are Gordon could be reinstated by then but far from given. With 6 on the roster they will bring in 4-5 more WRs.
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My guess would be:
> 1 more UFA in the 6 comp pick range (Hogan or similar).
> a trade for top tier to above average WR looks very possible at the moment if they can find opportunity.
> maybe double dip in the Draft - but not before 3rd round
> a couple of UDFAs or more
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As you might've guessed im not worried. This team already made a nice transition from a passing to a more rushing/playaction offense. Losing Allen hurts in this regard so looking at finding/developing strong blocking TE will be part of my preseason watch.

Looking forward to another Gronk year, Sony's receiving development, Gordon's second chance, healthy B-head, stepping up of Dorsett, bouncing back of J.Hollister, development of Berrios, Izzo, Anderson, Patterson and a surprise form the new guys im not too familiar with yet..

The sum total is much greater than each component..

This year we have a bunch of draft picks, suspect that BB & Krewe will try to address the WR & TE depth.. suspect that either 32nd or 56th pick will be used that way..

Heard something yesterday that the Pats are focused on TE TJ Hockenson... but that was preceded by the predictable hand wringing about how the Pats missed out on the big name WR's they should have had. Sports talk radio has turned into lets create faux controversy radio.

The roster of today is not the roster we will see in Sept.. stay tuned.

I just don't understand why most of the discussion centers around getting an AB, OBJ type - vs standing pat, nah, we're good, man. I get there were threads, and speculation, and dreaming about "WR1". However that's just what ordinary people do - especially on an interwebz message board w/a large fanbase that in turn represents really diverse, and varying degrees of knowledge.

There's got to be a middle ground that moves the needle towards improvement that doesn't necessarily hamstring us in some other area.

I'm not asking for an AB, those don't grow on trees. Try to find the next 'Dola, or pre-injury Mitchell types that we can add to our stable of players that just get it done. I understand that's not easy, but I gotta believe we can do better in the draft than we have historically.

Like others have said, if Edelman goes down, we're toast. We have the draft left, and plenty of time for a trade, so I hope BB is looking for some more insurance/depth. Hoping at least one of the recent FAs can contribute, and LaCosse continues to grow on his late season productivity.

Wingy said:

I just don't understand why most of the discussion centers around getting an AB, OBJ type - vs standing pat, nah, we're good, man. I get there were threads, and speculation, and dreaming about "WR1". However that's just what ordinary people do - especially on an interwebz message board w/a large fanbase that in turn represents really diverse, and varying degrees of knowledge.

There's got to be a middle ground that moves the needle towards improvement that doesn't necessarily hamstring us in some other area.

I'm not asking for an AB, those don't grow on trees. Try to find the next 'Dola, or pre-injury Mitchell types that we can add to our stable of players that just get it done. I understand that's not easy, but I gotta believe we can do better in the draft than we have historically.

Like others have said, if Edelman goes down, we're toast. We have the draft left, and plenty of time for a trade, so I hope BB is looking for some more insurance/depth. Hoping at least one of the recent FAs can contribute, and LaCosse continues to grow on his late season productivity.

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I think everyone except the fantasy geeks will agree this offense does not need an elite outside the hashes WR to be successful. BB has proven he is accepting of that kind of player in this offense as long as it makes good financial sense and/or the player produces at a high level.

What I believe is this offense runs at it's most optimal efficiency when Tom and Josh have multiple, legitimate threats on the field at the same time.

They don't have to be rock stars, just respected by the defense.

TB_Helmet said:

While you could use "top 2 WRs in receiving yards" as your definition for #1 WR, I think that might be a bit flawed, since it seems to be the same guys in the top 5 year to year and they just jostle for position. The best analysis would be to do a correlation between receiving yards (or receptions, or TDs, or something) and post-season wins across all WRs and see how much of an impact any of those metrics has, rather than cherry-picking (by the way, I just found out about this API which might make that sort of analysis trivial: Getting Started - NFL API).

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This overall thread insinuates the Patriots are in trouble because either they depend on FA for receivers (and haven't signed any big names) or they can't draft receivers or they need to trade for a receiver asap or a combination of all. I think. But in all honesty .... I'm not sure as like with many large threads it has flip flopped a bit and I lost track. My stance is that in 2018 the Pats spent to near cap max and I wouldn't have taken any $ away from any other positions to add a receiver. Not the O line, D line, running backs, D-backs or the LB crew. It wasn't necessary. I also wouldn't spend big $ on a top tier receiver this year.

You can define the top receiver whichever way you'd like. Someone was pushing for a metric and I chose total yards. Feel free to try a correlation between receiving yards, TD's or whatever you think defines the top 1 or 2 receivers in a specific year. The percentage for the last 20 years is still going to be minimal no matter how you slice it. IMO the Patriots prefer to spread the 18 million an AB or OJB demand on overall depth. That's all I'm saying.

n6249c said:

At times it “was barely enough”?

Good lord man, the NFL is all in on parity, making sure that on any given Sunday any team has a competitive chance at winning . In that competitive environment barely enough to win should be the expected norm not a disappointing failure!

Meanwhile the Pats have been making a mockery of parity for almost two decades. It’s a glass half empty or three quarters full question.

I’d suggest you look at it through the lens of expecting barely enough to be the norm and anything more to be a significant triumph. Does that help?

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I was not talking about the Pats as a whole. I don’t need to be lectured on the achievements of this team, I’m well aware. I was purely talking about the receiving corps and nothing else.

robertweathers said:

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.

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James White kind of helps, and Burkehead

Simpelton said:

The Patriots have never placed a heavy emphasis on elite receiving units

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plus the elite ones are almost all Divas anyway. Cooks is the most elite non-Diva I have seen at the position

fightingirish595 said:

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

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we were the 4th scoring offense, did make it to the Super Bowkn 3rd year in a roq and did win it too. so there's that

mosslost said:

James White kind of helps, and Burkehead

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Yep! They are a huge part of the controlled passing game and matchups w LBs

manxman2601 said:

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.

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I'm all for having an awesome WR I just don't want any Diva Drama on this team when avoidable. AB won nothing for the Steelers and he was amazing stats

TommyBrady12 said:

It’s depth and experience we need at WR.

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would have been nice to get Dola

robertweathers said:

player who if we believe what Ivan

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Woe, woe, woe... YUGE "IF" right there. Come on now

Steve:Section 102 said:

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.

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I know, it's like "Look out if the PATS get OBJ or whatever, damn they might even win the Super Bowl!"

Deus Irae said:

"But they won" is not a valid defense to "The WRs suck". A does not disprove B.

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it kind of is actually

robertweathers said:

Deus blocked me too.

I've found with him the minute you prove he has lost his mind on one of his absurd takes he can't handle it and he either belittles or blocks you.

I can see blocking me but blocking someone like @patfanken who has deep knowledge of the game is like sticking your head in the sand when you know someone is right.

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"Deuce" is a loser

mosslost said:

Woe, woe, woe... YUGE "IF" right there. Come on now

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Huh?

Why is Sony Michel an "if"?

mosslost said:

"Deuce" is a loser

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I still see his posts. No great loss on my end

robertweathers said:

Huh?

Why is Sony Michel an "if"?

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I meant believing Ivan

Sorry to @ChrisR2223