{"id":70242,"date":"2026-06-17T04:30:46","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T08:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=70242"},"modified":"2026-06-17T09:42:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T13:42:56","slug":"morse-looking-at-patriots-wide-receiver-room-and-gabe-jacas-mess","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/06\/17\/morse-looking-at-patriots-wide-receiver-room-and-gabe-jacas-mess\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: Looking At Patriots Wide Receiver Room and Gabe Jacas Mess"},"content":{"rendered":"

Continuing with my off-season look at the Roster heading into Training Camp.\u00a0 This week, I look at the Wide Receivers.<\/p>\n

Wide Receivers<\/strong><\/h3>\n

AJ Brown<\/strong> \u2013 This is going to be fun watching this guy.\u00a0 He is a dominating, alpha Wide Receiver.\u00a0 I can\u2019t believe he has done the things he has already done in just two weeks on the team. \u00a0\u00a0His ability to adjust to a ball in flight is one of the things that has stood out to me. He is motivated to show that last year was a fluke and that it was the fault of Nick Sirianni and poor play of QB Jalen Hurts.\u00a0 Teams will not be able to load the box against the Patriots with their improved wide receiver room.\u00a0 Expect Brown to see a lot of double teams, freeing up single coverage on other Receivers.<\/p>\n

Demario Douglas<\/strong> \u2013 This is a make-or-break season for Douglas.\u00a0 2026 is his contract year, and he will be a Free Agent in 2027.\u00a0 He needs a good season to get that offer he is looking for.\u00a0 In Josh McDaniels’ offense, the slot receiver is very important, and Douglas could be a big contributor. Last season, Stefon Diggs took away a lot of snaps from Douglas.\u00a0 AJ Brown will be outside most of the time, but will also be in the slot.\u00a0 Romeo Doubs’ role is really unknown at this time, but I suspect he will also be on the outside.\u00a0 This Spring, Douglas has been the top receiver in terms of the number of receptions.\u00a0 One of the three WRs that are heading into their final year with the team will not make the team in 2026.\u00a0 Douglas versus Efton Chism will be a matchup to watch in Training Camp.<\/p>\n

Kyle Williams <\/strong>\u2013 Williams showed progress over the course of the season.\u00a0 He started slowly, as most rookies do.\u00a0 For the season, he played in all 17 games, had 10 receptions on 21 targets for 209 yards, 20.9 YPC, and 3 TDs.\u00a0 The big play ability is there, and after learning the playbook and how to recognize the route adjustments he must make in the Josh McDaniels offense, he showed the glimmer of hope we all had when he was drafted.\u00a0 How does the acquisition of Brown and Doubs affect his development?\u00a0\u00a0 The more important factor is what the Patriots do with Kayshon Boutte. If they keep Boutte, this could limit Williams’ snaps significantly and throttle his development.<\/p>\n

In comparison, Williams had a better 1st<\/sup> year than Boutte, who only played 5 games with 7 Targets and 2 Receptions.\u00a0 As you might remember, Boutte was stuck in Bill Belichick\u2019s doghouse for not getting two feet down on a sideline route.\u00a0 That is how Belichick treated rookies.\u00a0 \u00a0Chad Graff stated in The Athletic, \u201cWith the Cougars, Williams shone as a deep-threat receiver. New to the position, his route running wasn\u2019t polished, and he dealt with too many drops (he has small hands). But he used his exceptional straight-line speed (he ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash) to beat defenders. Williams was also excellent off the line of scrimmage and was able to get clean releases against top cornerbacks.\u201d\u00a0 Graff highlighted Williams as one of the 10 intriguing players ahead of Training Camp.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Efton Chism <\/strong>\u2013 One of the big surprise Undrafted Free Agent signings last season, Chism flashed during Spring and Training Camp practices.\u00a0 He carried that over to in-game production late in Pre-Season games.\u00a0 \u00a0This earned him a spot on the team\u2019s 53-man roster out of camp.\u00a0 He was active for 8 games with 1 Start.\u00a0 Targeted only 3 times, he caught all three targets for 75 yards, 25.0 YPC, and 1TD.\u00a0 Chism is going to be on this team, and depending on how the battle of the three WRs with expiring contracts goes, Chism may have an expanded role.\u00a0 Late last season the Patriots used Chism as a Kickoff Returner.\u00a0 That was a disaster.\u00a0 He is way too slow for that role.\u00a0 Remember, he broke all of Cooper Kupp\u2019s receiving records at Eastern Washington.\u00a0 He is a shifty, quick, elusive route runner who finds ways to get open.\u00a0 Think Julian Edelman, Wes Welker, and Danny Amendola when talking about Chism.<\/p>\n

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(PHOTO: Andrew Nelles \/ The Tennessean \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mack Hollins <\/strong>\u2013 I have Mack Hollins as the odd man out in the Wide Receiver battle. \u00a0Don\u2019t get me wrong. I love what Mack Hollins brings to the team, but he is 32 years old and is in a contract year.\u00a0 He is not coming back next season, so why keep a roster spot for him over a 24-year-old that could still break out?\u00a0 Hollins is the ultimate professional and team player.\u00a0 Last season, he took Efton Chism under his wing early in training camp and went over plays nightly after practice with him, getting Chism ready to be an NFL player.\u00a0 Hollins is a very good blocker, utilizing his 6\u20194\u201d, 221-pound frame.\u00a0 In the Super Bowl, Hollins had 4 catches for 78 yards and a TD with Diggs being double-teamed. Hollins is a character and a good guy in the clubhouse.\u00a0 I will never forget his impersonation of the movie scene from The Warriors, tinkling of the glass bottles on his fingers, and explaining \u201cWarriors, come out and playyyeee!\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeremiah Webb <\/strong>\u2013 Webb made the Practice Squad last year as an UDFA.\u00a0 The 5\u201911\u201d, 198-pound Receiver has 4.49 speed.\u00a0 His 2024 season at South Alabama saw him catch 36 passes for 649 yards and 5 TDs.\u00a0 He was originally signed by the Berlin Thunder and spent a month there before signing with the Patriots.\u00a0 He is a long shot to make the team and will be battling to retain his spot on the Practice Squad.<\/p>\n

Romeo Doubs \u2013 <\/strong>Doubs was acquired in Free Agency.\u00a0 He was the best receiver in the Free Agency class once Alec Pierce resigned with Indianapolis.\u00a0 Last season, he had 46 Receptions on 83 Targets for 601 Yards, 13.1 YPC, and 4 TDs. Doubs missed 4 games last season, but by the end of the year, he was Green Bay\u2019s top receiver.\u00a0 When AJ Brown was traded to the Patriots, that pushed Doubs down to a supporting role.\u00a0 This spring, Doubs has not made a good impression.\u00a0 Nothing he has done has been outstanding or made an impact.\u00a0 Again, this Spring has been a glorified passing camp, so I will give him the benefit of the doubt.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see what happens in Training Camp.<\/p>\n

Cameron Dorner<\/strong> \u2013 Dorner was signed as an UDFA this season after completing his final season at North Texas State.\u00a0 The 6\u20191\u201d, 188-pound wideout ran a disappointing 4.59 40-yard dash at his Pro Day.\u00a0 However, his 37\u201d Vertical Jump, 6.96 3-Cone Drill, and 4.07 Short Shuttle were impressive.\u00a0 The 4.07 Short Shuttle would have been tied for the best overall at the Combine.\u00a0 Dorner played 3 years at DII Shepherd University<\/strong><\/a> before transferring to North Texas.\u00a0 Last season, he had 56 catches for 911 Yards and 8 TDs.\u00a0 One important note from Mandatory Mini-Camp was that Dorner was used as a Kickoff Returner.\u00a0 This point should be watched during Training Camp.\u00a0 If he can return kicks, he just might have a spot on the Practice Squad.<\/p>\n

Nick DeGennaro \u2013 <\/strong>The James Madison UDFA is a long shot to make the team or Practice Squad.\u00a0 He seems like he is just a camp body.\u00a0 The 6\u20191\u201d, 195-pound Receiver played at James Madison and helped them reach the College Playoffs.\u00a0 In 14 games, he had 28 Receptions for 500 Yards, 17.9 YPC, and 5 TDs.<\/p>\n

Jimmy Kibble<\/strong> – Kibble eventually joined the Georgetown Hoyas in 2022, and over the next four years, saw action in 41 games with 29 starts. He was on the receiving end of 148 passes that he took for 2,593 yards \u2014 the fourth-most in school history \u2014 and 15 touchdowns.\u00a0 He led his team in receiving yards in each of his final three seasons. Kibble ended his college career as a one-time captain and three-time All-Patriot League selection (first team 2025; second team 2024 and 2023).\u00a0 The 6\u2019 199-pound receiver ran a 4.49 40-yard dash with a 7.05 3-Cone Drill.\u00a0 He will have a hard time making the team and will fight for a spot on the Practice Squad.<\/p>\n

Kyle Dixon \u2013 <\/strong>Dixon received a large, guaranteed contract, which is equivalent to matching what a Practice Squad player would get over the course of the season.\u00a0 This pretty much guarantees he will at least make the Practice Squad unless claimed by another team at cutdown day.\u00a0 As of this writing, New England has reportedly guaranteed Dixon more than $250,000 immediately following the draft process. That is an aggressive financial commitment for an under-the-radar playmaker from an NAIA program. At the time, many viewed it as a curious gamble.<\/p>\n

Clutch Points had this to say about Dixon: \u201cAfter minicamp, it looks like a bargain. Dixon consistently dominated team drills with crisp routes and advanced body control near the sideline. Defensive backs repeatedly struggled to stay attached through his breaks because of how suddenly he changed direction. And in a Patriots receiver room still searching desperately for consistent separation and explosive playmaking, Dixon\u2019s skill set immediately stands out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle Dixon played college football at\u00a0Culver\u2013Stockton College\u00a0(NAIA) from 2024 to 2025, earning\u00a0two First-team All-Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC)\u00a0honors.<\/p>\n

Career at Culver\u2013Stockton (2024\u20132025)<\/p>\n