This is our best WR group since what year?

[Zuma]

Boutte would have been an excellent slot WR if he didn't blow up his ankle in college. Diggs at his current age could still play slot better then Boutte. Brown, Doubs, Diggs "starting" would be amazing. Probably not smart money-wise though.

 

[goheels22002]

We'll see. Our wr group was good enough to win it all last year. Our offensive line was average at best and was garbage in the playoffs against the better teams. If our line doesn't improve I would say that our offense is possibly worse without Diggs who killed it in the slot.

I agree. There's little doubt that Drake Maye has a wonderful group of players - including the running backs and the rookie TE - to throw the ball to, but the proof will be on the offensive line. The defensive fronts and pass rushers they will see week after week with the 2026-2027 schedule is absolutely amazing. The athleticism and size of pass rushers in 2026 places so much pressure on OLs, especially young OLs, that any weakness is exposed as we saw last year.

I like what the Patriots have done this offseason - including a juicy scandal - but let's not become the Rex Ryan Jets and get all excited about winning the offseason. I'm waiting to see if the signings on the OL turns into a top ten OL - it may, but there's a lot of injury history up front to dampen the enthusiasm.

 

[goheels22002]

Good stuff. In ‘78 with Grogan completing 48.7% of his throws, Morgan and Jackson each had over 1,000 yards and >22ypc.

And in 1978 defensive backs could basically maul receivers all over the field. Once they caught the ball receivers could get utterly destroyed by anybody with a decent shot at them. With today's bigger, faster LBs and safeties, receivers would be lucky to make it to week 6 with the 1978 rules. I wish they'd never outlawed Stickum for the receivers.

 

[Huckleberry1]

On paper, this group is not as good as 2018: Antonio Brown, Gordon, Edelman, Dorsett. Not to mention a guy like Burkhead's role.

Obviously that group had its issues, but OP's take is wild to me. 29 years old with potentially gimpy knees, a guy who might be Reche Caldwell part 2. I'm hopeful that they pan out to be a great tandem addition and we have our best offense since 2015 or 2007 but idk man, no wonder everyone was so excited to ship off a future pick for AJB if you guys are this hyped on him...

Disagree on this fnord. Gordon and Dorsett were useless and Brown was insane and only lasted a few games.

 

[rkarp1]

1 year only
2026
salary is irrelevant
who would you rather have?
Diggs or Hollins?
Diggs or Pop
Diggs or Williams

 

[fnordcircle]

Disagree on this fnord. Gordon and Dorsett were useless and Brown was insane and only lasted a few games.

Sure, overall that season's WR corps was a disaster. But that first week? It was magic. That's what I meant with the "on paper" qualifier but I can get how that might not be clear.

That being said - I will brook zero Dorsett blasphemy. That guy almost set the record for consecutive catches without a drop, right? I get so football hard for that kind of stat.

 

[Real fan 02]

1 year only
2026
salary is irrelevant
who would you rather have?
Diggs or Hollins?
Diggs or Pop
Diggs or Williams

I absolutely loved diggs last season.. however because Hollins is a beast in the running game and red zone and have Doubs negates the need to have diggs.. for this season I'd roll with Hollins. Speaking for myself.

 

[PatsFan2]

I'm not worried about A.J. Brown: just more worried about Romeo Doubs hope he doesn't have any problems with McDaniels Offense. We remember Nelson Agholor - Jonnu Smith and others.

 

[Real fan 02]

Boutte would have been an excellent slot WR if he didn't blow up his ankle in college. Diggs at his current age could still play slot better then Boutte. Brown, Doubs, Diggs "starting" would be amazing. Probably not smart money-wise though.

2007

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2007.htm

 

[Real fan 02]

I'm not worried about A.J. Brown: just more worried about Romeo Doubs hope he doesn't have any problems with McDaniels Offense. We remember Nelson Agholor - Jonnu Smith and others.

Doubs has been entrenched in the playbook since the day he signed.. Vrabel mentioned Doubs asked Josh the day he signed he wanted to immediate get into the play book and watch film with him.. Doubs will flourish with AJ and Boutte

 

[PatsFan2]

Doubs has been entrenched in the playbook since the day he signed.. Vrabel mentioned Doubs asked Josh the day he signed he wanted to immediate get into the play book and watch film with him.. Doubs will flourish with AJ and Boutte

I think Boutte will be the benefactor if things go smoothly. That's a lot of Very Good to Decent WR's for any Defense to cover; not to mention our TE's and RB's.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think Boutte will be the benefactor if things go smoothly. That's a lot of Very Good to Decent WR's for any Defense to cover; not to mention our TE's and RB's.

Absolutely!! This what I have been saying for weeks. When's the last time we had a 3 WR set that teams all had to respect? 2007 that is when. AJ and Boutte on the outside and doubs can eat up the slot.

 

[TommyD4207]

I'm not worried about A.J. Brown: just more worried about Romeo Doubs hope he doesn't have any problems with McDaniels Offense. We remember Nelson Agholor - Jonnu Smith and others.

 

[PatsFan2]

I know Tommy Facts hurt.

 

[TheRainMaker]

On paper, this group is not as good as 2018: Antonio Brown, Gordon, Edelman, Dorsett. Not to mention a guy like Burkhead's role.

I know what you meant, but it was for the 2019 season.

Depth chart should've been: Brown and Gordon/Thomas on the outside, Edelman in the slot. I have no idea why Thomas was traded who was very familiar with Josh McDaniels.

 

[n1997y]

1 year only
2026
salary is irrelevant
who would you rather have?
Diggs or Hollins?
Diggs or Pop
Diggs or Williams

Hollins, over Diggs. No brainer.
Diggs, over Pop. Easily.
Williams, over Diggs. Closest call of these three. But still not very close.

Extra credit:
Diggs, or Boutte? Toss up, maybe a slight edge to Diggs on demonstrated versatility across a large body of work, over Boutte’s youth and potential.

Bottom line:
AJB, Doubs, Diggs, Hollins, Williams. Looks good to me.

Or, I’d also be good with: AJB, Doubs, Boutte, Hollins, Williams.

 

[Real fan 02]

I know what you meant, but it was for the 2019 season.

Depth chart should've been: Brown and Gordon/Thomas on the outside, Edelman in the slot. I have no idea why Thomas was traded who was very familiar with Josh McDaniels.

This group is far superior to the 2018 WRs there's no one that possessed the size, skill, physicality at the wr position from 2018 or 2019 that AJ brings.. Gordon we never saw the Cleveland version of him while in NE.. dymerius Thomas I thought would have been good..then again that should had have told us all what to expect once he got traded. Also AJ and Doubs are bigger WRs who excel against press man. Outside of Edelman not sure who did in 2018. A. Brown man.... only if....

 

[Vindicate]

I'm not worried about A.J. Brown: just more worried about Romeo Doubs hope he doesn't have any problems with McDaniels Offense. We remember Nelson Agholor - Jonnu Smith and others.

Again, I don't think that's as much of a thing anymore. That was a product of Josh McD AND Brady, as Josh will tailor his approach to his QB. That was a decade of very cerebrally-focused offense development.

 

[Froob]

Doubs is 26, 6'2 210, entering his prime. Diggs is 32, 6'0 190, plays smaller than that, and is well past his prime. We're WAY better off with Doubs.

last season Diggs would have been the best season of Doubs career

 

[PatsFan2]

Doubs is 26, 6'2 210, entering his prime. Diggs is 32, 6'0 190, plays smaller than that, and is well past his prime. We're WAY better off with Doubs.

A guys who hasn't Posted 800yds yet in a single season is better than a guy who does it in his sleep?? Talk about misinformation SMH.