Expectations of Patriots’ fourth-year players
6. Aaron Dobson (2013 second-rounder)
2013 stats: 12 games (nine starts), 37 receptions, 519 yards, 14.0 yards per catch, four touchdowns
2014 stats: four games (one start), three receptions, 38 yards, 12.7 yards per catch
2015 stats: eight games (three starts), 13 receptions, 141 yards, 10.8 yards per catch
It has been tough sledding for Dobson since his rookie season of 2013 when the Patriots went out of their way to get him involved in the offense. The main knock on Dobson is his slippery hands, which is ironic because he garnered so much pre-draft attention due to some jaw-dropping catches at Marshall.
Injuries have also thrown a wrench in the spokes for Dobson’s development. He tweaked his hamstring in a 2014 game against the Green Bay Packers, ending his disappointing sophomore season.
Last year, Dobson actually flashed promise in the Patriots’ Week 2 win over the Buffalo Bills, snagging seven balls for 87 yards. But alas, Dobson wasn’t able to stay healthy; a high ankle injury sustained on a nice 17-yard first-down reception in Week 11 (against the Bills) brought his junior year to an end.
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2015 expectations: 10 games (six starts), 22 receptions, 245 yards, 11.1 yards per catch, three touchdowns
This is Dobson’s make or break year. He’s either going to finally get it together and have a good year, or he’s going to flame out in training camp. The expectations you see above are the mean average of those two options.
Next: 5. Duron Harmon