{"id":28187,"date":"2017-08-25T12:49:21","date_gmt":"2017-08-25T16:49:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=28187"},"modified":"2017-08-25T13:40:55","modified_gmt":"2017-08-25T17:40:55","slug":"patriots-wr-depth-chart-breakdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/08\/25\/patriots-wr-depth-chart-breakdown\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots Wide Receiver Depth Chart: Who’s In, Who’s Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New England Patriots <\/a>were\u00a0loaded with wide receiver\u00a0talent at the start of 2016. Many experts touted the group as the most talented of the bunch in Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong>‘s illustrious career.<\/p>\n

In March, the Patriots sent<\/a> a first-round and third-round pick to the New Orleans Saints <\/a>in exchange for a fourth-round pick and star\u00a0wide receiver\u00a0Brandin Cooks<\/a><\/strong>. Combined with the restructuring of Danny Amendola<\/a><\/strong>‘s contract and extending Julian Edelman<\/a><\/strong> through the 2019 season<\/a>, the Patriots are locked and loaded with a more talented group than last year’s squad. With plenty of young talent on the roster, as well as seasoned veterans, there simply isn’t space for everyone. Here’s how the roster, with respective to the wide receivers, will play out.<\/p>\n

New England Patriots\u00a0Wide Receiver\u00a0Battle: Who’s In, Who’s Out<\/h2>\n

Who’s In<\/h3>\n

Julian Edelman<\/h4>\n

Julian Edelman<\/strong><\/a> has been a possession receiver for Brady, amassing averages of 69.9 yards per game and 6.5 receptions per game over the last\u00a0four seasons. Putting aside the obvious bromance between receiver and quarterback, Edelman\u00a0has grown from a special teams player in his early years to become one of the faces of the Patriots franchise. Edelman is most certainly a lock to make the final roster as a key Patriots wide receiver.<\/p>\n

Brandin Cooks<\/h4>\n

Brandin Cooks<\/strong><\/a> has had quite the career of his own in his first\u00a0three seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Despite an early-end to his rookie campaign (2014) due to a broken thumb, Cooks has been productive his last two seasons, accumulating 2,311 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns over that span. As one of the more talented young receivers in the league, there is no doubt that the Patriots will look forward to\u00a0utilizing this newly acquired, elite receiver.<\/p>\n

Chris Hogan<\/h4>\n

Chris Hogan<\/strong><\/a>, nicknamed “7-Eleven” by teammates for his ability to “always be open,” comes into the fold as the Patriots best deep threat heading into this season. Hogan, who joined the team via free agency in the 2015 off-season after\u00a0four seasons with the Buffalo Bills<\/a>, led the NFL in yards per reception last season with a whopping 17.9 yard average. He continued that success into the postseason, highlighted by his\u00a0nine reception, 180-yard, two\u00a0touchdown performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game<\/a>. With his showing last season, Hogan should have no worries about making the final cut.<\/p>\n

Malcolm Mitchell<\/h4>\n

Malcolm Mitchell<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>the Patriots\u00a0fourth-round draft pick in 2016, leads the young core of receivers in the New England locker room. Despite only entering the fold for 48.1% of the Patriots offensive snaps last season,\u00a0Mitchell showed flashes of his potential towards the end of the regular season. In the Patriots Super Bowl LI<\/a> comeback, Mitchell played a pivotal role, going 5-for-5 on targets from Brady in the\u00a0fourth quarter. Of the\u00a0five receptions,\u00a0four earned the Patriots a first down conversion. Despite his difficulty to get on the field this off-season, Mitchell looks to have secured his spot on the roster.<\/p>\n

Danny Amendola<\/h4>\n

It was speculated by many that the Patriots and Danny Amendola<\/strong> <\/a>would part ways this off-season. Regardless of his contributions on both special teams and offense over the past four seasons, the aging wideout was thought to be taking up too much cap space for his number four\u00a0or\u00a0five spot on the depth chart. Amendola was able to restructure his contract with the Patriots in April to clear up $4.75 million in cap space. After restructuring, Amendola looks to be safe and sound on the Patriots roster.<\/p>\n

Matthew Slater<\/h4>\n

Matthew Slater<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>has been a staple on the Patriots roster over his nine-year career. Despite accumulating one reception in that time, Slater is still listed as a wide receiver. However, that doesn’t mean Slater isn’t a leader on and off the field. For his leadership and character, the\u00a0wide receiver\u00a0was awarded the Bart Starr<\/a> award in 2017, an honor his father earned in 1996. Additionally, Slater is a six-time Pro Bowl selection at the special teams position.<\/p>\n

Slater has missed the first two preseason games with a hamstring injury. However, Slater is expected to be a lock in making the roster. Depending on his availability, Slater may start the season on IR with designation to return.<\/p>\n

Who’s Out<\/h3>\n

Austin Carr<\/h4>\n

Austin Carr<\/strong><\/a> has been the breakout performer so far throughout the preseason and training camp. Highlighted by a leaping\u00a0touchdown grab against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the wideout has seen heaps of praise from the media. However, the list of established receivers may be an issue for Carr. Although there is a chance of Bill Belichick<\/strong> keeping a\u00a0seventh\u00a0wide receiver\u00a0on the roster, that chance is fairly small. Depending on Slater’s availability for Week one, Carr may find himself with a roster spot to begin the season. Ultimately, expect to see\u00a0Carr on the Patriots practice squad.<\/p>\n

Devin Lucien<\/h4>\n

Devin Lucien\u00a0<\/strong>is a hard working player with a lot of upside. Despite a very unnoticeable four-year stint at UCLA, the 24-year old burst onto the scene at Arizona State. After transferring as a graduate, Lucien racked up 1,075 receiving yards, more than his four previous seasons combined. Nevertheless, the practice squad was where Lucien found himself after 2016’s 53-man roster cuts. Unfortunately for Lucien, it appears that may be where he is headed this season as well.<\/p>\n

Cody Hollister<\/h4>\n

Cody Hollister<\/strong> is a name Patriots fans have gotten used to hearing this training camp (well, at least the name Hollister). Unfortunately for Cody, much of the talk surrounds his twin brother, tight\u00a0end Jacob Hollister<\/strong>. At Arkansas, the 23-year old Cody Hollister saw inconsistent playing time on offense. In the Razorbacks special team game, Cody Hollister saw additional time on the field. However, with the level of talent exhibited by Matthew Slater and his Pro Bowl nominations, it seems the buck stops here for part two of the “Hollister Brothers.” There simply is no space for him on the roster.<\/p>\n

Tony Washington & K.J. Maye<\/h4>\n

Tony Washington<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0K.J. Maye<\/strong> <\/a>are both in the same situation. Both players have a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 of bouncing around practice squads since entering the league. Their addition was seen as just an extra body on the field. Although\u00a0Maye finished the Patriots first preseason match-up with six receptions and a touchdown, neither one has made a name for themselves this off-season. With so much talent in the offense and neither player finding a way to gain any traction so far, it’s only a matter of time before they are sent packing.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>