Wide Receivers:
Grade: C
The Patriots looked loaded at wide receiver with their top three from 2014 returning in Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Brandon LaFell. They also had Aaron Dobson, Chris Harper and the surprising Brandon Gibson during the preseason. Keshawn Martin was added in September as a WR/KR in a trade with New Orleans.
 Julian Edelman is expected back for the playoffs, he’s Brady’s most trusted receiver. (USA TODAY Images) |
But LaFell had offseason foot surgery, missed all of the spring and summer and has had little of the impact of a year ago where he had over 1000 yards receiving. His season never took off and he’s been scuffling along with little production and has had major issues with drops all season.
Gibson was lost during the preseason to injury and Dobson had another season cut short by injury and was placed on IR. Both Edelman and Amendola after hot starts to the season both went down, Edelman with a broken foot in Week 9 and Amendola to knee ailments down the stretch.
When Edelman and Amendola were healthy, Brady got the short passing game ignited and was putting up huge numbers. They opened up big chunks of the field elsewhere as did Lewis. In their stead, Martin and LaFell with small cameos by Harper have struggled. They’ve been unable to win against man coverage and the offense has stagnated. That’s why it is imperative for the top two to be healthy and ready to go in the playoffs. Next are the TEs:
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
