More Impact in 2016: Amendola or Hogan?

The 2016 off season program has started and all of the new players are becoming acclimated to their new teams. I thought it would be a neat little idea to see who will have a bigger impact this upcoming season: Danny Amendola or Chris Hogan.

Case for Danny

Amendola knows the offense way better than Hogan, he’s been in it for several years and knows exactly what his role is. There’s no way he’ll jump Edelman for the #1 spot, and he isn’t trying to. Last year, even missing a little bit of time with an injury (returning punts, which he probably won’t be doing anymore), Danny was still able to haul in 65 receptions for 648 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 10 yards a catch. That’s not bad seeing how he was the team’s fourth receiver option last year. Amendola may be on a pitch count, but he’s carved out a nice little role for himself in New England, and he’s got Brady’s trust. So, at least at the start of the season, provided he’s healthy, he’ll be ahead of Hogan on the depth chart.

32 offseason additions, 32 interesting facts

Case for Chris

Now Hogan’s stats from last year won’t jump out at you, they’re worse than Amendola’s are. Hogan only had 36 receptions for 450 yards and 2 touchdowns; however, he did have 12.5 yards per catch. In Buffalo’s run first and run often offense, Hogan was buried on the depth chart. He was behind Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams for touches, and that doesn’t count the times Tyrod Taylor had designed runs or decided to tuck it and run himself. Hogan is a bigger receiver than Amendola, and he’s able to stay healthier. In all actuality, I think Hogan will start behind Amendola on the depth chart and probably be the team’s 3rd receiver option, then when Amendola gets scraped up (because he always does), Hogan will come in and perform really well, then the Patriots will ride the hot hand.

These 30 players will definitely make the final roster

I honestly think that by this time next year, Amendola won’t be with the Patriots anymore. Between the rookies and Chris Hogan, Amendola and his bones of glass will be elsewhere. I love Danny, he’s overcome some freak injuries and made some terrific plays throughout his career, but every time he gets tackled I wince a little because I’m unsure if he’ll get up. Amendola is the receiver version of Tony Romo, Arian Foster and Dennis Pitta; if you touch them, they explode. If Amendola goes down this year, don’t expect him to get back up with the Patriots.