Training Camp Competition: Patriots Wide Receivers Room

The New England Patriots 53-man roster has more openings up for grabs than in the recent memory. There could be over 20 roster spots determined by training camp and preseason performance. Leading up to final roster cutdowns, Patriots Football Now will continue to feature training camp competitions. These could involve players battling for starting positions or roster spots. Today’s feature is New England’s wide receivers.

New England lost Jakobi Meyers to Las Vegas in 2023 free agency. Meyers was the Patriots leading receiver in 2021 and 2022. They replaced him almost immediately by signing JuJu Smith-Schuster. The swap did not pay dividends for New England last season.

On a positive note, the Patriots saw two positives in the wide receivers’ room in 2023. Kendrick Bourne emerged as a consistent threat in the passing game. Unfortunately, just as he solidified himself as the club’s top receiver his season ended with an ACL injury in Week 9. Rookie DeMario Douglas performed well when healthy (he battled through multiple concussions) and out of Bill Belichick’s doghouse.

Also Read – New England Patriots Wide Receivers Work With RouteGod

New England reportedly tried to add a premier wide receiver to their 2024 roster. They made a bid to sign Calvin Ridley in free agency. Brandon Aiyuk and Tee Higgins are among the names tossed around in trade rumors. But assuming there are no marquee additions before Week 1, here’s a breakdown of the Patriots wide receivers room heading into the 2024 season.

Roster Locks

There are three Patriots players in this category. It could be argued others should be added. But this trio stands alone for now: DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker. Douglas and the two rookies will be on the 53-man roster. All should play important roles in making New England’s offense more explosive than it has been in recent years.

Kendrick Bourne is not listed here due to injury. If he is healthy enough to be on the 53-man roster out of camp he will be. But Bourne just signed a multi-year deal to remain with the Patriots. Rushing him back before he’s fully healthy is an unnecessary risk. Bourne remaining inactive opens up a roster spot for an additional player to start the season. The feeling here is that Bourne will start the season inactive.

Competing for Spots

K.J. Osborn signed with New England in free agency and already won an award for his work this offseason. His 48 receptions for 540 yards with Minnesota last season were only one catch and 21 yards less than Douglas, who led the New England Patriots receivers in both categories. Osborn appears close to being a roster lock. Eliot Wolf signed him, which is also to his advantage.

Jalen Reagor was brought back in free agency. He is the team’s primary kickoff returner in addition to being a wide receiver. The former first-round pick has shown a propensity for making difficult catches. If he can make the easy ones he can be a regular contributor in the passing game.

JuJu Smith-Schuster struggled with production and then health in 2023. He remains the most accomplished receiver in the room, but are his best days too far behind him? With a rebuilding team, is Smith-Schuster a part of anyone’s plans beyond 2024?

New England used a second-round pick on Tyquan Thornton in 2022. But the man responsible for the selection is gone and so is the team’s need to make the pick work out. However, he has looked impressive in spurts and seems to have put in significant work over the offseason.

Kayshon Boutte was a sixth-round pick in 2023. He was inactive for most of his rookie season (against fans wishes). He ran into offseason troubles as well. However, charges were dropped against him for underage gambling. It appears there are no disciplinary issues for Boutte. He appears confident in camp thus far.

Longshots

New England signed Kawaan Baker to a future contract following last season. He was out of football in 2023 after being cut by the New Orleans Saints at the end of camp. Baker played on the Saints practice squads throughout parts of the previous two seasons, appearing in two games in the 2021 season.

Davis Wallis and JaQuae Jackson are both undrafted free agents. The New England Patriots have a rich history of UDFAs making the squad. But with this crowded group, it will be difficult for any of these three to make enough of an impression to make the 53-man roster without a few injuries taking place. All will try to impress enough to stick with the practice squad if they don’t land elsewhere.

Prediction

New England keeping seven wide receivers out of camp is very possible. As stated, DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker will take three of these spots. Kawaan Baker, David Wallis, and JaQuae Jackson are unlikely to make the cut.

Kendrick Bourne will be on the roster if he is healthy. Bourne made the pre-training camp 53-man roster on PFN. Bourne beginning the season inactive is looking more likely after the first week of camp. He is present and enthusiastic but remains a non-participant.

If Bourne is on PUP or IR and the Patriots opt to keep seven wide receivers, that leaves five players fighting for four spots. K.J. Osborn and Jalen Reagor, thanks in part to his return skills, feel close to being sure bets barring something unforeseen. So one of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, and Kayshon Boutte will be waived.

If Eliot Wolf is confident that Thornton or Boutte can clear waivers and join the practice squad, New England will likely go that route. But if either shows something special in preseason another NFL team might take a chance on them.

Smith-Schuster simply hasn’t worked out. He has not been a bad guy, a slacker, or a locker room problem. His knee condition has just made him a shell of his former self. He claims to be feeling 100% heading into camp but needs to prove that’s true. If so, he becomes a potential trade candidate.

Ultimately, I believe Tyquan Thornton will join DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborn, and Jalen Reagor on the New England Patriots initial 53-man roster. JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kayshon Boutte will battle for the final spot, assuming Kendrick Bourne remains inactive. Eliot Wolf will hope everyone in the group to show up big and attract interest elsewhere for anyone who falls short of the 53-man roster for Week 1.