It’s time for the New England Patriots to re-think about their positions to catch passes.
Before deciding whether to opt for an open receiver or a closed wing, the Patriots look inside their organization to see if there is any innovation about incumbents Damiere Byrd, N’Keal Harry, Julian Edelman and Ryan Izzo.
Byrd, the Patriots’ most productive open receiver, however, would be more productive as option number 3 or four as he did with the Arizona Cardinals and carolina Panthers. 166 yards with a landing in five games. And it’s unlikely to progress suddenly and live up to your first-round pedigree. Edelman, the Patriots’ no. 3 choice on the post, but obviously plays less than 100%. Izzo had six receptions for 82 yards and missed one of the three receptions in Week 6.
So here are the other existing features of the Patriots on the open receiver and the adjusted end if you want to re-work the clichés in the future:
WR JAKOBI MEYERSMeyer is bigger than Harry last season. But then Meyers missed the maximum of the educational camp for injury and has been the maximum at MIA this season. Why? Probably because Harry is a first-round selection of 2019 and Meyers was not selected. Then Harry will inevitably have more chances. Meyers is what he is, but he could be even bigger than Harry.
Meyers had 26 receptions for 359 yards in 15 games last season, while Harry had 12 receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns in seven games.
WR GUNNER OLSZEWSKITL, a former Division II cornerer, seemed like the Patriots’ second-best open catcher in the field of education, but an appointment he gave last week was revealing.
“If it breaks, I’m interested and whatever happens, ” said Olszewski.
He played six offensive shots in the fourth week and none in the sixth, when he was the Patriots’ most productive kick returner.
The Patriots are taking it easy with the product of The State of Bemidji and Alvin, Texas.
Put it there. What’s the worst that can happen?
WR ISAIAH ZUBERZuber is a case as he is still on the practice team, but has 20 offensive shots in the last 3 weeks against Meyers’ seven and Olszewski’s six.
Zuber did not excel on the field of education, however, the Patriots showed interest in giving him the ball precisely once per game. He had a 13-yard drag in week 3, an eight-yard drag in week four and a 16-yard reception last week.
The length of the pattern is too small for the Patriots to have something in the product of the state of Kansas and the state of Mississippi, but it seemed decent in limited terms.
It would be fun to watch Wilkerson get a call at some point because he has an attractive skill set to get 6 feet and 1 inch and 214 pounds wide with elite and fast jumping speed and ability.
He also hit 71 passes for 1,350 backyards with 10 landings last season in southeastern Missouri. That included a six-catch, 146 backyard and opposite landing functionality to NFL defensive backs Jeremy Chinn and Madre Harper in southern Illinois.
The Eagles didn’t know what they had for Travis Fulgham until they took him off the practice team and gave him a chance. He now has 26 receptions for 284 yards and 3 touchdowns in 3 games.
Maybe Wilkerson can provide a spark?
WR MASON KINSEYKinsey has been added to the Patriots practice team this week. It is a product of Division III of Berry College. It’s an undersizing type, but it has a decent volume of five feet and 10 inches, 198 pounds.
TE DEVIN ASIASIAsiasi played 42% of the Patriots’ offensive shots in Week 6, and is at 24% in the season, so he’s playing. But it hasn’t been targeted yet. It was open on the floor opposite the Denver Broncos, however, Quarterback Cam Newton has yet to look in his direction. It’s time. It’s foolish that this third-round selection is in the box but not a target when the Patriots obviously have unrest with their skill positions.
TE DALTON KEENEKeene, who has played throughout the Virginia Tech offensive, has not yet dressed for a game. Keene will most likely need a toe injury to locate the ground. But we’d like to see what it can offer. He’s got wonderful athletics for the job.
TE JAKE BURT Obviously, the Patriots want to see what they have in Asiasi and Keene before they take Burt off the practice team, but he’s a component of the team, so it’s worth mentioning.