Who will lead the Patriots in receiving yards this year?
1. Julian Edelman
Who else were you expecting?
The last time someone not named Julian Edelman or Rob Gronkowski led the Patriots in receiving yards was 2012, and that player was Edelman’s one-time mentor and former teammate, Wes Welker.
As good as Welker was with New England, he still was never able to accomplish what Edelman did last year. Only former Patriots receiver Deion Branch was able to do what Edelman did in 2018: win Super Bowl MVP honors after turning in an incredible championship game performance.
Brady’s most-trusted receiver by far, the 33-year-old recently had his contract extended another two years, meaning he’ll likely have the opportunity to finish at least Brady’s career (and maybe his own) in Foxborough as the go-to guy for critical receptions.
Edelman’s history of making incredible catches under pressure shouldn’t be discounted. Before Super Bowl 53, he came up huge with a couple of conversions in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. And no one should ever forget the ridiculous grab he had for the Pats against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51.
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Especially given all the unknowns at receiver and tight end this season, Edelman almost looks like a lock to lead the team in receiving yards provided he stays healthy all year. He showed no signs of rust coming back last season from an ACL tear that cost him all of 2017, so that’s not even a concern heading into training camp and the preseason in 2019.
It’s certainly not impossible or improbable that the Patriots could have James White, Josh Gordon, N’Keal Harry, or Demaryius Thomas finish the upcoming regular season atop the charts for receiving yardage. However, the smart money still says that it will be Edelman at No. 1 when all is said and done.