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Are the Patriots’ skill position players better this year than last?

By Hal Bent

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: The New England Patriots celebrate after winning the Super Bowl LIII at against the Los Angeles Rams Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: The New England Patriots celebrate after winning the Super Bowl LIII at against the Los Angeles Rams Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 24: Cameron Meredith #81 of the Chicago Bears stands for the national anthem prior to the start of the game against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on December 24, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 24: Cameron Meredith #81 of the Chicago Bears stands for the national anthem prior to the start of the game against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on December 24, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

In-season additions at wide receiver

The most intrigue at wide receiver is with the players who are signed to the squad but who have yet to suit up.

Josh Gordon is obviously the top name, having already shown what he can bring to the offense with his big play ability and the attention he drew from opposing defenses in 2018. Beyond Gordon, the Patriots have recently added Demaryius Thomas and Cameron Meredith in queue as potential mid-season additions.

Thomas is coming off an Achilles injury that ended his season early last year in Houston, after he was brought in to add some possession receiver skills opposite DeAndre Hopkins. Of note, Thomas was originally drafted by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels when he was the head coach in Denver; he also played in former Patriots’ offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s offense last year with the Texans. He should hit the ground running once he is back to full strength.

Meredith is another interesting pick-up. The undrafted free agent looked like a star in the making after catching 66 passes for 888 yards in 2016 for the Chicago Bears. A torn ACL stole his 2017 season, and then a knee injury limited him to just a handful of games in 2018 with the New Orleans Saints. The Patriots signed Meredith and immediately put him on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list alongside Thomas, with the idea to get both players healthy before seeing what they can bring to the offense down the road.

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