Jun 10, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots vast receiver Jalen Reagor (83) makes a catch at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Credit score: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports activities
After utilizing two draft picks on the place, the Patriots vast receivers room is crowded coming into coaching camp.
The Patriots vast receivers room should still be missing the established top-end expertise heading into 2024 coaching camp. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a crowded group with actual competitors heading into the summer time.
As camp begins there are 4 projected roster locks at vast receiver – Kendrick Bourne (assuming he’s wholesome and cleared to start out the season, which Jerod Mayo instructed on the finish of minicamp is anticipated), Pop Douglas, and rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Given the $3.1 million assured in Ok.J. Osborn’s contract, he’s a near-lock as nicely.
5 receivers is a reasonably typical quantity for a workforce to hold, so it’s very attainable the Patriots cease there. But when they really feel they’ve yet one more spot, Bourne isn’t prepared to start out the season, or there’s one other damage, it opens the door for a gaggle of gamers who had been projected as a number of the Pats’ high receivers final yr.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, and Jalen Reagor can be the leaders for that subsequent receiver spot. Reagor might have the within monitor, given his pace and large worth on particular groups (along with returning kicks, he has some expertise at gunner). Smith-Schuster was the one vast receiver to take a seat out each kickoff durations in minicamp, Thornton was working with Smith-Schuster on a aspect area for one of many two.
JuJu Smith-Schuster is without doubt one of the gamers competing for the ultimate roster spot among the many Patriots vast receivers. (Alex Barth/98.5 The Sports activities Hub)
Smith-Schuster would have the benefit of expertise in one other younger room, however he’ll must show final yr’s damage was a major hindrance and that he can bounce again. His contract additionally complicates the state of affairs, with a multi-year multi-million greenback cap hit if the Patriots minimize or commerce bum.
On the similar time, it’s harder to see the trail to the roster for Thornton, who has no assured cash on his contract. Thornton additionally missed the top of minicamp.
Total, these three received’t simply be battling in opposition to one another, however bubble gamers at different positions as nicely to show to the workforce it’s value protecting a sixth receiver. Nonetheless, it’s attainable not one of the three make the workforce this yr, after accounting for a mixed 27 % of all Patriots vast receiver catches in 2023.
Kayson Boutte could possibly be an element right here too. Cleared of his unlawful playing fees this week, the main focus turns to soccer. He’s flashed as a possible weapon at instances in coaching camp final yr and within the spring this yr however these performances have been simply that – flashes. He’ll must show to the coaches he can be extra constant as a way to push for a spot on the workforce.
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Alex Barth is a digital content material producer and on-air host for 98.5 The Sports activities Hub. Barth grew up within the Boston space and commenced protecting each the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and Boston Crimson Sox in 2017 earlier than becoming a member of the Hub in 2020. He now covers all issues Boston Sports activities for 985TheSportsHub.com in addition to showing on air. Alex writes about all New England sports activities, in addition to school soccer. You’ll be able to comply with him throughout all social media platforms at @RealAlexBarth.
