quarterback Danny Etling looks a lot better than I thought he would. I’ll be serious for once… how has Etling looked so far? Running backs Sony Michel, James White and Rex Burkhead and tight end Jacob Hollister are receiving threats. It’s also worth noting the Patriots likely will use more two-running back and tight end sets without Edelman. He’s also a very nice guy, for whatever that’s worth. He’s the first player on the practice field, and he stayed after on Wednesday to work with Brady. Matthews at $1 million is looking smarter by the day. They were smart to keep adding pieces this offseason. But the Patriots are well-equipped at wide receiver. Berrios is the best bet as a 2018 sixth-round pick. So, one of Berrios, McCarron or Jones should make the roster. It seems unlikely the Patriots would go into the season with Chung or Hogan as their top punt returner. He hasn’t participated in a single open spring practice, and he missed all of last season with a knee injury.Īs for punt return duties, Berrios, McCarron, Hogan, cornerback Cyrus Jones and safety Patrick Chung are options. I’m not counting on Mitchell for anything until I see him on the field in Week 1. If they have strong training camps and preseasons, then it’s possible, but it’s a big ask. That’s an important role, and it requires a lot of trust from Brady. It seems like a lot to ask for Berrios or McCarron to step up immediately as slot options in the Patriots’ offense. I just can’t tell what he offers that Britt and Matthews don’t with less height. I’m not as high on Dorsett as some other reporters. They have the most past success and have looked solid in spring practices. I’d try to get Britt and Matthews up to speed as the No. Slater is a special teamer, and Hollister is a longshot to make the roster. Dorsett is more of a Z receiver, Matthews and Mitchell can play all three roles, Patterson is more of a gadget player and Berrios and McCarron are slots. So, if he’s in the starting lineup, then Hogan could move to Z or the slot. He can play X, Z or in the slot, so the simplest answer is he will likely be Edelman’s replacement as quarterback Tom Brady’s top target at wide receiver.īritt has the most experience playing X. It’s safe to assume Hogan will be a starter. The Patriots have Chris Hogan, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, Jordan Matthews, Malcolm Mitchell, Cordarrelle Patterson, Braxton Berrios, Riley McCarron, Matthew Slater and Cody Hollister at wide receiver. Let’s tackle the receiver positions first. It’s further complicated by the fact that Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks are gone. In three-receiver sets, he projected as the top slot option, and he might have been the team’s top punt returner this season too. In two-receiver sets, Edelman projected as the Patriots’ Z receiver. is a complicated question because Edelman wears a lot of hats. It potentially hurts the team for the first four games, but a healthy Edelman for 12 games might be better than a not healthy Edelman for 16.īerrios/Matthews/McCarron – who is your prime candidate to take Edelman’s reps in weeks 1-4? So, if Edelman gave himself some help to recover plus four more weeks to rehab, then it’s not the worst idea to take the four-game ban and be at an even better place physically for 12 regular-season games and the playoffs. Players rarely come back in their first season after a torn ACL as the same player. If Edelman did take performance-enhancing drugs to recover from his torn ACL, then it’s kind of smart. I have a dumb take on Julian Edelman’s four-game suspension, and I’ll share it if you promise not to freak out.
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