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New England Patriots: Making an offense of former Patriots

By Luke O'Brien

Sep 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; A general view of Gillette Stadium prior to the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Massachusetts Minutemen. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; A general view of Gillette Stadium prior to the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Massachusetts Minutemen. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots
Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) takes the field during player introductions prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receivers

Starter 1 – Brandon LaFell (Bengals)

Starter 2 – Kamar Aiken (Colts)

Slot Receiver – Keyshawn Martin (Lions)

2nd String – Andre Holmes (Bills)

3rd String – Aaron Dobson (Cardinals)

Kick Returner – Brandon Tate (Bills)

Cut in Camp – DeAndre Carter (49ers), Da’Ron Brown (Chargers), Jonathan Krause (Titans)

One thing you can’t really argue based on the players above is that the Patriots don’t let high-end wide receiver talent just walk out the door.  LaFell is the No.1 starter. He has had a decent career and came close to returning to his 2014 season numbers with a solid year in 2016 with the Bengals.  Aiken and Holmes have both flourished in a sense since leaving New England.  Aiken came close to breaking a thousand yards in 2015 and Holmes came close to 700 yards in 2014.  Nothing particularly special but both are big bodied players that could use their size to out-jump cornerbacks.

Martin was a surprise cut just before the 2016 season and is a versatile receiver that can play in the slot, go deep and return kicks. Brandon Tate was a one-trick pony deep threat, with decent kick-return ability and manages to make the roster as a backup/special teamer.  Dobson is brought back in as last chance, last gap attempt to see if there is any talent left.

Carter just misses out as a slot option.  Brown and Krause have been on five and six teams respectively and recorded only two catches between them.  Even this roster isn’t that desperate.

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