{"id":88283,"date":"2020-05-21T07:17:48","date_gmt":"2020-05-21T11:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=88283"},"modified":"2021-03-26T20:49:23","modified_gmt":"2021-03-27T00:49:23","slug":"new-england-patriots-receiving-corps-ranked-pff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/05\/21\/new-england-patriots-receiving-corps-ranked-pff\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots Receiving Corps Ranked 30th in NFL, Per PFF"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New England Patriots receiving corps was one of the worst in the NFL during the 2019 season. The group ranked dead last in average separation per route, and the experts at Pro Football Focus don\u2019t see a brighter future<\/a> on the horizon. According to the advanced analytics website, the Patriots have the third-worst receiving corps in the league, ahead of just the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Washington Redskins.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that PFF is including running backs and tight ends in their breakdown, so players like James White<\/a><\/strong>, Devin Asiasi<\/strong><\/a>, and Dalton Keene<\/strong><\/a> have been accounted for.<\/p>\n

PFF: New England Patriots Receiving Corps Ranked Third-Worst in NFL<\/h2>\n

PFF\u2019s biggest problem with New England\u2019s receiving corps is their inability to get open downfield. According to the site, Julian Edelman<\/a><\/strong> is \u201cone of the more reliable slot options in the short and intermediate range\u201d, but the rest of the depth chart leaves a lot to be desired. PFF specifically calls out Mohamed Sanu<\/a><\/strong> and N\u2019Keal Harry<\/strong><\/a> for having disappointing seasons in New England. Additionally, PFF expects rookie tight ends Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene to see plenty of playing time as rookies, but doesn\u2019t think either guy can \u201creally solve the issue\u201d as a rookie.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to argue against PFF\u2019s reasoning for the low ranking. Julian Edelman is a good receiver that can still make a difference in the short and intermediate areas when healthy. However, he\u2019s entering his age-34 season and can\u2019t have too much left in his tank. Mohamed Sanu suffered an injury shortly after joining the Patriots and should have a better season in 2020. However, he\u2019s been in the NFL for quite some time and has never managed to be anything more than a league-average receiver.<\/p>\n

The future of New England\u2019s receiving corps ultimately comes down to N\u2019Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers<\/a><\/strong>. Both players suffered plenty of growing pains as rookies but flashed the promise of what they could do at the next level. Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene are both intriguing projects, but tight ends historically need a season or two<\/a> before they\u2019re ready to make noteworthy contributions.<\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>