2025 WR Depth Chart

[Real fan 02]

I've got Bourne way down on my depth chart like most here and possibly released or traded. The thing is, he's got the 2nd most career receiving yards on the team...by a lot. He's also had his most productive season with McDaniels (in 2021) and as of today he is just 29.

Agreed. Boutte will have a jabbar gaffney effect on the offense. I think Bourne has value go figure he's our most accomplished WR.. we could get a 5th for him??

 

[Zuma]

Agreed. Boutte will have a jabbar gaffney effect on the offense. I think Bourne has value go figure he's our most accomplished WR.. we could get a 5th for him??

And with possible injuries to the WR room, it could be Boutte or Bourne to start the season at WR2. It's a long way to go from now to the 1st game.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Hollins shouldn't have even been signed. Bourne's 9 lives are up. Should've never been brought back last year after calling the Pats organization dysfunctional under Bill publicly only to return.

The depth chart should be:

Diggs is the go to WR.
Polk or Baker opposite Diggs. These two need to get their act together.
Douglas in the slot.
Williams getting plenty of playing time
Boutte

 

[Real fan 02]

And with possible injuries to the WR room, it could be Boutte or Bourne to start the season at WR2. It's a long way to go from now to the 1st game.

Yes, and whatever UDFA factors into the mix.. really feeling good about the roster. Far more talented then it has been in 5 season.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Agreed. Boutte will have a jabbar gaffney effect on the offense. I think Bourne has value go figure he's our most accomplished WR.. we could get a 5th for him??

That was my comparison as well. I'd even go back to Vincent Brisby type player.

 

[Real fan 02]

Let's pump the brakes a little we have this many guys because most of them have either got hurt or failed to reach their potential.

I feel pretty good that we can find the right guys from this group to improve the room compared to the last few seasons but unless everything goes perfect with health and development we likely still need more before anyone is calling it a strength.

Oh definitely. I'm talking about the numbers. We have a mix of younger guys, rooks and veterans. Whatever equation of WRs we have come week 1.. Boutee needs to be in the mix. Considering the last few seasons.. I think it's safe to say the offense in general projects to be "strength " no longer a weakness.

 

[Zuma]

Yes, and whatever UDFA factors into the mix.. really feeling good about the roster. Far more talented then it has been in 5 season.

Maybe some of the new WR's will push Boutte or Bourne down the depth chart...because that is how it should work. Regardless of the quality of the team last season...you don't cut the best players for unproven ones....you push them down the depth chart if the new guys are better and you keep that quality depth player instead.

 

[Real fan 02]

That was my comparison as well. I'd even go back to Vincent Brisby type player as well.

Brisby... that's right. Gaffney was a guy brady really liked and made big plays.. I liken Boutte to his game.. Great hands, clutch and can get behind the defense. Boutte would have been a higher round pick if not for his immaturity issues in college.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Hollins shouldn't have even been signed.

Hollins - Depth/ST ability

yeah I'm thinking Hollins may likely be a camp casualty cut,

Hollins/ Bourne will be evaluated and one of them could be a mid season trade / cut

I think you guys all have Hollins wrong. Hollins was our first signing in FA, he is 6'4" tall and 220 lbs while everyone else is a shrimp. Hollins is the only WR that can block, Hollins played for Josh before in Las Vegas and knows the playbook unlike the others, Hollins is our only jump ball guy, Hollins is great in the red zone, etc. Hollins will play a lot of snaps, like 60%. Hollins' skill set makes him a top three receiver for this team. Diggs when he is healthy and Williams/Douglas will be the other two guys. Maybe Bourne gets some time while Diggs is coming back. There will not be a lot of 5 receiver sets.

Diggs, Williams, Douglas, and Boutte are not dependable blockers, maybe Bourne is dependable. We drafted Henderson at the top of R2 because he can block and is a great WR.

If we have 1 or 2 TEs and a fullback (JM's playbook) line up that means there will only be 2 or 3 WRs on the field at a time. If we carry 3 TEs, a fullback, and 4 RBs, there is no way we are going to carry 6 WRs. If Henderson starts splitting out wide to create a mismatch on a LB, that is even more reason to have fewer WRs.

Five WRs are Hollins, Diggs, Williams, Douglas, and Bourne. If Diggs is on PUP for 4 weeks, then Boutte or Polk sneak on. Chism III can be on the PS. Baker is long gone. Polk is not worth anything in a trade, Boutte might be worth something at the end of the summer.

 

[Real fan 02]

Maybe some of the new WR's will push Boutte or Bourne down the depth chart...because that is how it should work. Regardless of the quality of the team last season...you don't cut the best players for unproven ones....you push them down the depth chart if the new guys are better and you keep that quality depth player instead.

Agreed. Is why some posters figured Boutte should be cut wich is ridiculous let him work just like the other guys so he can prove himself again. Each season guys have to prove themselves. That's what competition is all about.

 

[Bill Lee]

Pretty crazy how wildly different people's opinions are, given that we've seen a lot of these guys other than Williams.

I think we'll find some of the WRs just don't have what it takes to master the complex McDaniels offense or offer sufficient flexibility and will find themselves looking for work elsewhere. Since we don't know what goes on in the meeting rooms, it's just not clear who those people are till late in training camp. It's also clear this staff won't have the same ratings or loyalties as the last staff did. IMO it doesn't bode well for guys drafted by the last staff such as Polk and Baker.

 

[Bill Lee]

Reiss's take:

Diggs (return from a torn ACL), Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Williams top the projected depth chart, with veteran Kendrick Bourne, third-year player Kayshon Boutte, Polk (return from offseason shoulder surgery) and Baker among those who will vie for a role.

Patriots' 2025 draft class shows commitment to QB Drake Maye

The brass in New England used the draft to add talent around their young quarterback.

www.espn.com

 

[Real fan 02]

Pretty crazy how wildly different people's opinions are, given that we've seen a lot of these guys other than Williams.

I think we'll find some of the WRs just don't have what it takes to master the complex McDaniels offense or offer sufficient flexibility and will find themselves looking for work elsewhere. Since we don't know what goes on in the meeting rooms, it's just not clear who those people are till late in training camp. It's also clear this staff won't have the same ratings or loyalties as the last staff did. IMO it doesn't bode well for guys drafted by the last staff such as Polk and Baker.

Polk primarily becuase of his draft status will be given the most rope. Your points are valid and makes perfect sense. Polk still dealing with the shoulder will likely be on pup/ir to start the season.

 

[Lagaffe_07]

Hollins shouldn't have even been signed. Bourne's 9 lives are up. Should've never been brought back last year after calling the Pats organization dysfunctional under Bill publicly only to return.

The depth chart should be:

Diggs is the go to WR.
Polk or Baker opposite Diggs. These two need to get their act together.
Douglas in the slot.
Williams getting plenty of playing time
Boutte

Hot take, Polk and Baker won’t be on the roster week 1

 

[signbabybrady]

I think you guys all have Hollins wrong. Hollins was our first signing in FA, he is 6'4" tall and 220 lbs while everyone else is a shrimp. Hollins is the only WR that can block, Hollins played for Josh before in Las Vegas and knows the playbook unlike the others, Hollins is our only jump ball guy, Hollins is great in the red zone, etc. Hollins will play a lot of snaps, like 60%. Hollins' skill set makes him a top three receiver for this team. Diggs when he is healthy and Williams/Douglas will be the other two guys. Maybe Bourne gets some time while Diggs is coming back. There will not be a lot of 5 receiver sets.

Diggs, Williams, Douglas, and Boutte are not dependable blockers, maybe Bourne is dependable. We drafted Henderson at the top of R2 because he can block and is a great WR.

If we have 1 or 2 TEs and a fullback (JM's playbook) line up that means there will only be 2 or 3 WRs on the field at a time. If we carry 3 TEs, a fullback, and 4 RBs, there is no way we are going to carry 6 WRs. If Henderson starts splitting out wide to create a mismatch on a LB, that is even more reason to have fewer WRs.

Five WRs are Hollins, Diggs, Williams, Douglas, and Bourne. If Diggs is on PUP for 4 weeks, then Boutte or Polk sneak on. Chism III can be on the PS. Baker is long gone. Polk is not worth anything in a trade, Boutte might be worth something at the end of the summer.

Pretty sure everyone except Polk and Baker have some exposure either from McD, BoB, or Daboll.

I will be disappointed if Boutte and Polk can't beat out Hollins. I'd even give Baker and some of the UDFAs a chance.

I don't think we'll be using pup or IR on anyone so to start the season I see Diggs, Pop, and Williams as locks and the rest are competing for the final 2 spots. Maybe we carry 6 but as other said I'd expect a FB and/or an extra TE before a 6th WR.

I'm willing to concede Hollins is 4th right now but unless he blocks like Hog Hannah he's far from a lock.

 

[signbabybrady]

Polk primarily becuase of his draft status will be given the most rope. Your points are valid and makes perfect sense. Polk still dealing with the shoulder will likely be on pup/ir to start the season.

He needs to be in camp or what good is he? I just don't believe in a stashing players on DL especially ones that need development.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I will be disappointed if Boutte and Polk can't beat out Hollins. I'd even give Baker and some of the UDFAs a chance.

Boutte is 5'11", Polk and Baker are both 6'1", Hollins is 6'4". Completely different players and roles. A 5'11" guy is not going to replace the role of a 6'4" player. You must be confusing players.

 

[signbabybrady]

Boutte is 5'11", Polk and Baker are both 6'1", Hollins is 6'4". Completely different players and roles. A 5'11" guy is not going to replace the role of a 6'4" player. You must be confusing players.

Pop, Diggs, and Williams can cover the X,Y, and Z the last 2 are depth players.

 

[Steve102]

Reiss's take:

Patriots' 2025 draft class shows commitment to QB Drake Maye

The brass in New England used the draft to add talent around their young quarterback.

www.espn.com

I'll retweet that.

Diggs, Hollins, Williams, Pop, are making the team. Of the guys left, Boutte, Polk, Baker and Bourne, it'll come down to cap # and camp. IMO anyway.

 

[Real fan 02]

He needs to be in camp or what good is he? I just don't believe in a stashing players on DL especially ones that need development.

Well.. considering N'Keal Harry, Thornton and slow Joe Williams last 3 seasons as bust. I like polks chances. He's at the facility rehabbing and in the offseason program. So the coaching staff knows where he's at. It's just saying as an assumption if he's not fully healthy then he will be IR bound. Players can still be in camp and rehabbing like KB did last season.

He needs to be in camp or what good is he? I just don't believe in a stashing players on DL especially ones that need development.